Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Maddiet
    Guest

    Default Family Search Letters Napoleonic Period 1809

    Hi
    Just wondering if anyone can direct me to where we can find a map of where the British landed and camped enroute from Leiria Portugal to Oporto Portugal in 1809. We have letters In The family from a relative that was in action during the Napoleon Wars dating from when he left Belfast 1806 until about 1821. We would like to track his movements. Some of the towns or camps he mentioned I can't seem to find, and was just wondering if there is a site that showed the camps etc where armies joined together before they marched onto Oporto in Portugal April/May 1809. His letters are very descriptive back to his family in Londonderry Ireland. Also he was a Lieutenant in the army Ian's a prisoner of war at some stage also.
    Cheers Maddie

  2. #2

  3. #3
    thewideeyedowl
    Guest

    Default Fortescue's History of the Britsh Army

    Hi Maddie, and a very warm welcome to Brit Gen...

    What a really wonderful trove of letters and I think it will be possible to find some maps that will help to make sense of it all.

    At the National Army Museum's Bookshop, I have just come across Fortescue's multi-volume History of the British Army. Vol VII is Maps, and Maps 6-9 cover the British campaign in Portugal in 1809. So you should be able to find some info there. The book is a reprint, only 44pp, and pricey (£28) but perhaps your local library could get a copy for you(?).

    Convert this to an internet address and you shoud be able to find it: books dot national-army-museum dot ac.uk, then search for the title.

    Sorry I cannot help with the later years.

    If you would like to give us the name of this man, we may well be able to help you find further info about him. My guess is that he is bound to show up in The National Archives (TNA) and some records may have been digitised by Find My Past (one of TNA's commercial partners) - if so, they could be viewed on line for a fee.

    Owl

  4. #4
    Maddiet
    Guest

    Default

    Thanks for that Gasser very interesting site

  5. #5
    Maddiet
    Guest

    Default

    Thanks Owl
    Our ancestor was Apollo Morris about 1780 until 1826 from Londonderry - we have looked on many sites and cannot find much more, just about to get a researcher in Ireland to trace further family members etc.
    Cheers Maddie

  6. #6
    thewideeyedowl
    Guest

    Default Will

    This might be his will: https://discovery.nationalarchives.go...ails/r/D147794.

    It can be downloaded from TNA for a small fee.

    Owl

  7. #7
    Maddiet
    Guest

    Default

    OMG Thankyou Owl!!

  8. #8
    thewideeyedowl
    Guest

    Default Researching Apollo Morris

    Hi Maddie

    Glad we have found the Will, and have just pm'd you about it. I don't know if this was also your man, or possibly his father(?); anyway, it is the transcript of a letter from George Washington - yes, the George Washington - to Apollo Morris, dated 29 January 1777: https://www.pbs.org/georgewashington/...1777jan29.html.

    Check out Barbara Chambers' well-researched and very informative website about the Napoleonic Wars - she has worked from many documents at TNA: https://britisharmyresearchnapoleonicwars.co.uk/.

    And, of course, don't forget the Napoleonic Wars Research Guide at TNA: https://nationalarchives.gov.uk/recor...leonicwars.htm (though you have probably been given this reference above?).

    I initially found the title of this thread misleading, because it starts 'Family Search..' and so made me think it was something to do with that worldwide free family history website - https://www.familysearch.org (or something like that - URL from memory, haven't checked). If you haven't already done so, check it out - Apollo as a first name is a real bonus(!).

    Let us know what you can find and come back with any queries that may/will arise.

    Swooping off.

    Owl

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Select a file: