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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: sellio on Saturday 17 October 15 12:10 BST (UK)
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I am trying to track an ancestor who was a Chelsea Pensioner in the early 1800's. His name was Angus McKay. I have subscribed to Find My Past to access the digitalised records.
I have three questions:
1. Various records refer to Angus specifically as a Chelsea Pensioner. I am trying to narrow the search. Should I exclude the Kilmainham records?
2. Do any records show what address or area the pension was paid to? I know he lived in Auchterless (Dykeside) with his wife.
3. Would his pension continue to be paid to his wife after his death or did the pension die with him?
The words haystack and needle come to mind! ???
Thankyou in advance for all or any help.
Sheila
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when and where was he born ?
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Hi Sheila
Kilmainham did the same job for out-pensioners settling in Ireland after discharge as Chelsea did for Great Britain. Responsibility for Ireland switched to Chelsea in 1822. So 15 years or so after unification of Ireland into the UK.
From 1845 they used 50-60 Staff Officers of Pensioners. One was based in Aberdeen. Before that Chelsea sent the pensions to parish officials/magistrates. The pensioners were given a certificate on discharge with a full description. Pensioners went to them rather than the money sent to pensioners. So addresses were not needed. If a pensioner failed to turn up twice, and had not sent someone with a certificate of life (usually signed by a clergyman) on their behalf, they assumed he was dead.
Widows of pensioners received nothing. Widows of serving soldiers did not receive a pension until the time of the Boer War; and even then it was only for six years or until they remarried. Hence the large number of quick remarriages within a regiment in the 19th Century. Otherwise the widow would have been given free passage back to the UK.
Ken