How do I find a soldier on 1871 census and also what regiment he was in?

[SharonK]

I have a Richard Gifford b1845c Preston whose wife Ann is listed as 'married' and 'a soldier's wife' on the 1871 census, her husband Richard is not in the household. Instead she is living with her brother Richard Fish and his family in Blackburn. I've not been able to locate Richard on any census after 1861 and I am pretty sure he's alive and kicking! (not got details here with me at work so can't give further info until I get home)

Any ideas anyone?

Thanks
Sharon

[Geoffers]

I have a Richard Gifford b1845c Preston whose wife Ann is listed as 'married' and 'a soldier's wife' on the 1871 census, her husband Richard is not in the household.Did they have any children whilst he was in the army?

If so, try checking the Index to Regimental Registers of Births (1761-1924) and also the Indexes to Army Chaplains' returns of Births; and Marriages; and Deaths (1796-1880). Both indexes are available online at 1837 online (pay-per-view). Certificates (and I believe the indexes) give the regiment.

If he was discharged to pension, you might try a long trawl through the Admission registers for long service pensions in WO116 and disability pensions WO118, both held at The National Archives (TNA) at Kew.

Geoffers

[uksearch]

I think that you must follow Geoffers advice.I have tried the Ancestry route and with the information you have given he has not stuck his head out of the trenches.Maybe he served and died abroad?

UK

[SharonK]

Thanks both! Yes I've not been able to find him on Ancestry for love nor money!

In answer to whether they had children well yes they did - a daughter Ellen in 1868c Blackburn, Alexander Hayhurst 1876c Preston and Arthur 1881c Preston (although Richard is doubted as the parent of Arthur because his name was not included on the birth cert)

Haven't been able to track a death for him as yet - only that he must have died pre-1920 because his wife Ann was buried as 'widow of Richard' in this year.

Sharon

[SharonK]

Have just checked 1837online (most of images I needed to look at were free anyway) but no luck. I think, from what the family say (and there aren't many left to ask now), Richard was away a lot but came home now and then - think he just probably just fathered the children while he was home and then disappeared again! Wish I knew where he was though!!

Sharon

[Geoffers]

Have just checked 1837online (most of images I needed to look at were free anyway) but no luck. I think, from what the family say (and there aren't many left to ask now), Richard was away a lot but came home now and then - think he just probably just fathered the children while he was home and then disappeared again!Do you have birth certificates for all/any of the children? One of these may refer to his rank and regiment. Once you have a regiment 9for those who joined before 1872), finding his service record at Kew and thus where he served, becomes a lot easier.

An alternative to birth certificates is of course to check the parish registers for baptisms and see if the father's regiment is included there.

If you can narrow down his date of retirement to a reasonable period, from census returns and maybe the birth certificate of his last child (or two); then it would be worthwhile going through the pension records at Kew.

Geoffers

[SharonK]

Only have the birth certificate of Arthur, whose parentage is in question typically enough:rolleyes: , Richard isn't mentioned on it at all. I do have the reference for Alexander's birth so could order that certificate (b. 1876). As far as I know there is only the three children. Haven't tracked down baptisms for them as yet, will give that a go.:)

If he was stationed in the UK somewhere though he would be on the census in a Barracks somewhere wouldn't he? If he doesn't appear I assume that means he was stationed abroad because there were no wars to be fighting in then were there?

thanks for your help
Sharon

[Geoffers]

If he was stationed in the UK somewhere though he would be on the census in a Barracks somewhere wouldn't he? If he doesn't appear I assume that means he was stationed abroad because there were no wars to be fighting in then were then
Apart from Ireland, there were lots of places where the British were trying to exert influence and as a consequence, lots of little skirmishes

I'm sure I have seen some barracks where the full names of soldiers are not recorded, just initials - so I wouldn't necessarily make an assumption that he was definitely abroad.

Geoffers

[SharonK]

Thanks for your help! Have just done an initials search on the 1871, just on the off chance, and haven't found him but I was amazed at how many people ARE listed by their initials only!! Not good for us family historians! Mind you they are all either patients in asylums or prisoners it seems!

Maybe he's not destined to be found!

Sharon

[Geoffers]

Mind you they are all either patients in asylums or prisoners it seems
Maybe he was in the clink? Norwich Gaol has soldiers doing time in at least one census.

Geoffers

[uksearch]

I'm sure I have seen some barracks where the full names of soldiers are not recorded, just initials - so I wouldn't necessarily make an assumption that he was definitely abroad.

Geoffers
That is certainly true of parts of the 1861 Census returns for Manchester.

UK