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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Lewis21 on Monday 14 July 25 13:07 BST (UK)
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Hi all,
This query is both military-related and more general, so I hope it fits here.
I am struggling with one of my lines, a man by the name of Michael Dunn. He was baptised at Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland on 2 Jan 1801 to Michael Dunn Sr, of the "North Lincoln Militia" and Margaret Slevert(?) his wife. Unfortunately I cannot find any other siblings or a marriage for the couple. I wonder if Michael Sr died in service.
Does anyone know more about this regiment? Are there likely to be records of soldiers who served? It's not an area I have a great deal of experience with and I haven't found much online besides regimental histories.
There were a couple of Michael Dunns married in the late 1700s in Lincolnshire but none seem to fit the above. Quite why they were in Kirkby Stephen I am not sure, they don't appear in that parish's records again. The next we see of Michael (Jr.) is in the Pigot's Directory of 1834 in Longtown, Cumberland, where he is listed as a nailor, after which he marries and settles in Houghton-le-Spring where he can be found on the 1841 census.
Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Lewis
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It's important to remember that militiamen were part-timers who were only embodied in times of imminent danger to the country. That was the situation in 1800 due to the threat from Napoleon's France. However men were only required to serve in the militia for a maximum of 5 years (earlier in the eighteenth century it had been 3 years). So the likelihood of anyone dying while serving in the militia was fairly low since they were not actually involved in any fighting during that period.
The second thing to note is that the militia (prior to 1881) was organised on a county basis by the Lord Lieutenant of the county and paid for by the Home Office. Only once they were embodied did they come under control of the War Office (or 'Horse Guards' as it known at the time).
Any records which survive are likely to be in the Lincolnshire County Record Office. You can see a list of some their holdings here: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/c/F149768
Here's an article with details of the militia in the town of Bourne in South Lincolnshire which gives an idea of how the system operated: http://www.falakros.net/bourne/portrait/militia.htm
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I've been trying to trace the movements of the North Lincoln militia in 1800 via newspaper reports, and I'm not finding many.
Here's one - they marched from Liverpool to Bristol in June/July 1800
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-share/6d3f1123-9303-478b-9185-5cfafb52f44d
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They had been based in Liverpool for two years before moving to Bristol
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-share/24bfc19d-36d0-42d0-96bb-c891759f7548
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From Bristol to Southampton in April 1801
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-share/d7c05a32-7308-4b8e-b548-8fc467140540
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It might be helpful to check the North Lincs Muster Rolls to see when he left or possibly enlisted in the regular army. Substantial inducements were made for men who did so.
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Boyd's Marriage Index - FindMyPast has the marriage (transcript only) of a Michael Dun and a Margery Stavert, Alnwick St Michael, year 1798
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The North Lincoln Militia was in Northumberland in 1798:
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-share/b065d11d-1d55-40cf-b7ec-d1f4b522d1f8
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FamilySearch has a marriage date of 28 Jan 1798 but sight of image only available at one of their centres or partner's sites(fees may apply).
Added
SJ, their July date of departure fits nicely with a marriage in January same year.
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FindMyPast baptisms (transcript only)
Margery Stavert, bap 20 Aug 1775, Whittingham Northumberland, father Robert
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Thanks very much everybody for your replies - it is much appreciated.
The marriage and the movements of the regiment seem absolutely spot on. I have never seen that marriage entry before as I guess I had inadvertently focused on Margarets and ignored Margerys!
I've just looked it up on FreeREG and sure enough their transcription has Michael as being in the Royal North Lincoln Regt of Militia, so based on that I dare say it must be the right couple.
https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5de2b081f493fd85a0aff7e5/margery-stavert-michael-dunn-marriage-northumberland-alnwick-1798-01-28?locale=en
Stavert seems to crop up a fair bit in that part of Northumberland. If only they were to have a child in Durham or Northumberland in that wonderful period of detailed baptism records and it would give their parish of origin.
Thanks again,
Lewis
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FindMyPast baptisms (transcript only)
Margery Stavert, bap 20 Aug 1775, Whittingham Northumberland, father Robert
I can't imagine there were too many Margery Staverts around - and Whittingham is not far from Alnwick so seems highly likely.
Thanks for this!
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You're welcome.
That FreeReg transcript of Groom's occupation is a winner.
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Re baptisms of possible Michael's siblings, have a look for the surname Dunn, location Liverpool, period 1799 - 1810, parents Michael and Margery.