Orphans.

[susyswan]

Hello I am looking for Thomas Oliver who was born in Kidderminster in 1865. his father died in1869 and his mother died in1876. on the 1881 cencus he was in Devon port in Devon on the training school ship impregnable . where was he before this time. can any one help. thank you.

[pennydog]

Would his mother be Margaret? If so RG10/3033/11/16 crown copyright/care of TNA

Margaret Oliver head wid. age 40 laundress and warehousewoman
Thomas son age 6
Maria age 4
Alice age 0

Address:- Hall Street Court, St. Mary, Kidderminster.

[susyswan]

Hello Thank you for your reply. this is them. ( his mothers name is wrong her name was Marjorie Hannah. ) i am trying to find out what happened to him from the time of his mothers death in1879 to 1881 when he was on the training ship in Devon Port . could he have gone to an orphanege or did he go to the workhouse.

[Peter Goodey]

Have you downloaded his naval records*? Are there any clues in there?

*ADM 188/146 downloadable from DocumentsOnline

[susyswan]

Hello Thank you for your reply . i will take a look. best wishes.

[Peter Goodey]

Let us know what it says and we may be able to advise on taking it further.

[susyswan]

Hello I have downloaded his navy records. it gives details of when he joined up. he joined up in March 1881 for 10 years. it also lists ships he served on . i think he may of been a bargeboy just before joining up.

[DorothySandra]

He may have gone to the Naval Training School at 14, or younger.

[susyswan]

There is a family rumour that after his mother died . he was working on a barge as a barge boy . but that he was ill treadted. so he stole a guinea and ran away. he met a recruting officer in a pub. he couldn't sign up because he was illiterate. the recruiting officer said he was going to the loo and anyone who could write could signe while he was away. some one in the pub signed his name for him.