Where should I/could I start?

[ashbee]

This is the inscription on my 3xgreat grandfather's headstone. His name is Samuel Bickers and he lived and died in Norfolk.

Inscription on headstone at Langley church:
In loving memory of Samuel Bickers who departed this life on the 24 September 1899 aged 91. This stone was erected in loving memory by his grandchildren in the Natal Mounted Police who were at the font in South Africa. His end was peace. Blessed be the men of the land.

I know nothing about South African history and very little about the Boer War so wondered if anyone could suggest how to make a start (once I've discovered who his grandchildren were, of course) on discovering more...

Thank you.

[janbooth]

Samuel is married to a Mary Ann and according to census records (1841/51/61/71) they have had the following children (all born Langley):

Susan born c1831 (1841)
Martha c1832 (1841/51)
Elizabeth c1834 (1841)
Samuel c1836 (1841)
William c1839 (1841/51/61)
Ellen c 1842 (1851)
Harriet c1844 (1851/71)
Maria c1847 (1851)
George c1849 (1851/61)
Honor c1850 (1861)
Maria c1852 (1861)
Mary A c1855 (1861)
Arthur c1859 (1861/71)

Harriet is still unmarried in the 1881/91 census and living with Samuel who is by now a widower.

Janet

[janbooth]

There is a death registration for the first Maria at Loddon reg district in the Sep qtr 1851. Samuel BICKERS seems to have married a Charlotte and had a William H 1860 who appears to have been their only child according to census records. William BICKERS has married a Mary A and had sons John W J born c1869, Edgar C born c1876 both born Norwich. George has married an Emily and had George born c1888 and born c1890, so both these would probably have been too young and can be discounted. Ellen has married a George HORNE in 1867 and have sons Albert G born c1872 and Ernest J born c1873. Ellen has died by the 1891 census and George has remarried.

This might give you something to start off with at least.

Janet

[geneius]

Hello

There is a researcher of Samuel BICKERS 1809 - 1899 on A......y

You will need the surname of the grandchildren in SA and it will not necessarily be BICKERS

The gravestone, whoever erected it would need to permission, maybe an approach to the church for a record search as to who owns the plot etc. ( I have learnt 'plots' are inherited as they are considered to be owned pieces of land, and can therefore be passed down )

Is there an obituary in the local paper?

google NATAL MOUNTED POLICE for info about them and their history

Good luck

geneius

[ashbee]

Thank you all. I'm related through Arthur and know it's not his family we can thank for this headstone. I hadn't thought abut checking on who owns/ed the plot, so that's a good thought...

Thanks again...