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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: matron54 on Tuesday 23 September 14 12:03 BST (UK)

Title: Worked for Railway
Post by: matron54 on Tuesday 23 September 14 12:03 BST (UK)
I've got a James Smith born 1894 in Bishton, Staffs.  I've found him on the 1911 census aged 17 (States he was born Abbots Bromley) living with a family in Abertillery, Wales his occupation Railway Clerk. How can I found out if he was still working for the railway after 1911, I do know he married and enlisted in the South Staffs Regt and was KIA in October 1914.
Any help please would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Worked for Railway
Post by: carol8353 on Tuesday 23 September 14 12:05 BST (UK)
What is his occupation on the marriage cert,or on his joining up papers.
Title: Re: Worked for Railway
Post by: matron54 on Tuesday 23 September 14 12:09 BST (UK)
Unfortunately, can't find either - too many James Smith's getting married and although I have is army number 8004 can only find his medal card and listing on CWGC.
Title: Re: Worked for Railway
Post by: Daisypetal on Friday 10 October 14 17:32 BST (UK)

Hi,

The CWGC site says he was the husband of A B SHELDON formerly SMITH so it looks like his wife remarried,

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/446304/SMITH,%20J


I found this marriage,

John G SHELDON    Sep Q 1915    West Bromwich    6b  2016
Alice B SMITH

It's also on the West Midlands BMD site without her middle initial, but sending for the certificate, hopefully it's the right one  :-\ , should give her maiden name.


Regards,
Daisy
Title: Re: Worked for Railway
Post by: jorose on Friday 10 October 14 17:55 BST (UK)
A possible marriage with her first names swapped could be Beatrice A Hill to James Smith, Dec Q 1912, Vol 6b 1796 in West Bromwich.

There are some Sheldon/Hill births in West Bromwich that could lead you to descendants of James Smith's wife.
Title: Re: Worked for Railway
Post by: Daisypetal on Friday 10 October 14 18:15 BST (UK)

That looks interesting,

Possible birth and death,


Alice Beatrice HILL    Dec Q 1893    West Bromwich    6b  808


Alice Beatrice SHELDON    Mar 1973    West Bromwich    9b  2398
DOB:  14 Sep 1893


Title: Re: Worked for Railway
Post by: carol8353 on Friday 10 October 14 18:19 BST (UK)
There are a few West Brom births with the surname Sheldon and mmn of Hill after 1915.
Title: Re: Worked for Railway
Post by: matron54 on Monday 13 October 14 08:13 BST (UK)
Hi thanks for your info, I have got Alice's 2nd marriage cert + waiting for her 1st marriage
cert.   We are really interested in his Railway career and know he worked for The Great Western
in 1911 in Abertillery, we can't trace him after that until he enlists in Burton upon Trent.
Title: Re: Worked for Railway
Post by: KGarrad on Monday 13 October 14 08:31 BST (UK)
Ancestry has Railway Records - including GWR!

There is this entry:
James Smith, born 14th September 1893
Entered service (with GWR) 9th March 1908, Telegraph dept., Cardiff
16th July 1908, Transferred to Clerks dept.
10th January 1908, Passenger dept., Abertillery (Seems to be out of date sync?!)

Previously employed from 14th October 1907
Ill no salary, 16th January 1911 to 19th January 1911

Register folio 2625

Reference to Testimonials: 13306
Title: Re: Worked for Railway
Post by: matron54 on Monday 13 October 14 08:36 BST (UK)
Thanks, we have seen that but it's the next Register we need to look at.  Just where would you find
it???   I'm expecting 1st Marriage Cert today, so may help with his occupation at the time.
He was 17/18 when he married, a young age for that time. Maybe a child involved!!!
El.
Title: Re: Worked for Railway
Post by: matron54 on Wednesday 22 October 14 17:02 BST (UK)
Received today after ten day wait marriage cert for James Smith and Beatrice Alice Hill dated 1912, unfortunately not the correct James. Does anyone know where the electoral roll will be for West Bromwich 1912,3,4,5 please. On the CWGC James widow was at one time living 48 Lloyd Street, West Brom.
Any help would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Worked for Railway
Post by: carol8353 on Wednesday 22 October 14 17:23 BST (UK)
Oh blow that's a nuisance.

You'll be very lucky to get electoral rolls for 1914 or 15,as they weren't taken during war time,and of course women didn't on the whole get the vote back then so they won't be included.
Title: Re: Worked for Railway
Post by: matron54 on Wednesday 22 October 14 17:48 BST (UK)
Oh dear, think I'm doomed with our James.  I did think it was odd, he was living in Abertillery on the 1911 census and moved to the midlands and married in a short time.  Unfortunately we can't find his military papers, only what's listed on CWGC.
Are all marriages listed?
El.