ELDRIDGE family from NITON,Isle of Wight

[wjebill]

I'm starting to trace my maternal grandfather's history. He was Frank John? Eldridge born at Niton IoW in about 1846. He was one of 12? children of John Eldridge of Niton, joined the Gloucesters and served in India (probably 1870s +). He later moved to Malta, where he was a civilian in the Army Pay Office (Valletta?). He married Evelina (?)Abela in Malta (1909?), their daughter Ruth Mary was born in Sliema in 1910. He died in Sliema (?) in 1920/21.

[olliecat]

Do you have his service record? There is a record on findmypast for a Frank Eldridge born abt 1849 in Niton, Venton, Hampshire. He attested to the Gloucestershire. Wife's surname was Abella but her first name was not Evelina.

WO97 / 2743 / 39

[Bertie]

Hi wjebill - take a look at the following site (esp. the BMD section) it has loads of Eldridges and usefully shows the mother's name for all births too.

https://www.isle-of-wight-fhs.co.uk/index.htm

By the way 'Venton' is probably a mis-trascription of Ventnor

[Bertie]

Re. Malta this is always a good site to look at...

https://www.maltagenealogy.com/

[Bertie]

Familysearch has 9 children showing as christened to John Eldridge and Ruth including Frank:

Name: Frank Eldridge
Gender: Male
Baptism/Christening Date: 30 Apr 1848
Baptism/Christening Place: Niton, Hampshire, England
Father's Name: John Eldridge
Mother's Name: Ruth
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C02816-4
System Origin: England-EASy
Source Film Number: 1470881
Reference Number: item 18 p 77
Collection: null

[olliecat]

Looking at the 1861 census, along with Frank there are quite a few other children
Niton North, Isle of Wight. RG09 Piece: 661 Folio: 28 Page: 1

Looking up some of the children births it looks like Ruths's maiden name is GOSDEN.

1848 ELDRIDGE Frank GOSDEN Godshill G5/P98

1859 ELDRIDGE Walter GOSDEN Godshill G11/P32

1852 ELDRIDGE George GOSDEN Godshill G8/P24

Could be the parents marriage.

groom's name: John Elderidge
bride's name: Ruth Gosden
marriage date: 21 Jun 1834
marriage place: Shorwell, Hampshire, England
(from family search)

[Bertie]

Likely marriage: is John Eldridge to Ruth Gosden, 21 Jun 1834, Shorwell (IoW) film: 1470891

[Bertie]

Likely birth of Ruth:

Name: Ruth Gosden
Gender: Female
Baptism/Christening Date: 26 Nov 1815
Baptism/Christening Place: Brixton, Hampshire, England
Father's Name: Henry Gosden
Mother's Name: Elizabeth
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C02879-4
System Origin: England-EASy
Source Film Number: 1470802
Reference Number: item 19 p 7
Collection: England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975

Brixton / Brighstone is on the IoW

[Bertie]

Likely marriage: Henry Gosden and Elizabeth Melmore 03 Nov 1808, Brixton IoW (film 1596473)

[Bertie]

Henry could be:

Name: Henry Gosden
Gender: Male
Baptism/Christening Date: 30 Dec 1784
Baptism/Christening Place: Brixton, Hampshire, England
Father's Name: Richard Gosden
Mother's Name: Sarah
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C16645-1
System Origin: England-EASy
Source Film Number: 1470802
Reference Number: item 16
Collection: England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975


Elizabeth could (only could) be:

Name: Betty Melmore
Gender: Female
Baptism/Christening Date: 29 Sep 1786
Baptism/Christening Place: Shorwell, Hampshire, England
Father's Name: George Melmore
Mother's Name: Hannah
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: I05357-8
System Origin: England-EASy
Source Film Number: 1596479
Reference Number: item 1
Collection: England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975

Probably worth getting a few of these pinned down for definite first!