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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Rachatfalcon on Friday 22 January 10 20:39 GMT (UK)
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Hi folks,
I have a little problem with finding an ancestor and I wonder if someone could help clarify something...
My g-g-gm was Mary Ann Mead, born in Croydon, Surrey in 1860 (or thereabouts). I do not have her birth certificate or specific dates. On her marriage certificate in 1883, she lists her father as William Mead, soldier.
The only William Mead I can find in the 1861 census, is a Gunner in the Royal Artillery Barracks at Woolwich.
The only birth I can find that looks right is in the Regimental Indexes, and is shown as:
"Mary Mead, Place @ 'Kingston UC', Year 1860, Regiment: RCR, Volume: 82, Page: 53."
So is this the same as the Royal Artillery? Is it likely that the two records are about the same person or is one of them a red herring in my search?
Thanks in advance
Rachel
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Is the birth entry printed or handwritten? If handwritten could it possible read RGA - Royal Garrison Artillery, which would fit with the presumptive father being a gunner.
jds1949
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RCR? Same as Royal Artillery?
In a word, I'm afraid, no!
RCR is the Royal Canadian Rifles
Kingston UC is Kingston, Ontario.
if Mary Ann Mead was born in Croydon she'll be registered in the usual England & Wales birth registers if anywhere
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Got there before me Neil,
http://globalgenealogy.com/globalgazette/canada-military/british-in-cda/roal-cdn-rifles-1840.htm
Phil
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Is the birth entry printed or handwritten? If handwritten could it possible read RGA - Royal Garrison Artillery, which would fit with the presumptive father being a gunner.
jds1949
Hi,
Thank you for the idea, unfortunately it is a typewritten index :( Most definitely says "R.C.R"
Rachel
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Then it looks like you've got two separate Mead families. I just had a quick look at the BMDs for a birth of a Mary Ann Mead in the Croydon area 188 - 1862 and there were no obvious candidates. Do you have her in the 1881 census?
jds1949
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Sorry for my delayed reply; I was busy with real life (hate it when that happens lol)...
I have her in the 1881 census, yes, as a servant in Croydon.
I'm working on some possibilities but haven't got anything concrete yet.
Thanks,
Rachel
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Hi Rachel,
RCR would be Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment. It was a regiment, in the British army, stationed in "the Canadas" until about 1870. The regiment was based in many areas of Canada, as well as Kinston, Upper Canada, (as Ontario was called before Confederation in 1867). The regiment was made of of those who were invalid and those close to pension. (My g g grandfather transferred to the RCRR in 1857 and remained in Canada after discharge).
Mike (in Upper Canada)
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Hi there
Thank you for that info Mike... I still don't know if the guy in the RCR is my ancestor or not :( If he is, I wonder why he was already in the RCR at just 40 something..
Thanks again
Rachel
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He could have been close to pension or invalid in some way. My g g grandfather transferred to the regiment when he was only 35 years old, (after 18 years service with the 52nd Regt of Foot). He was tired of dragging his family all over the Commonwealth.
Mike