RootsChat.Com

Keith, thankyou so much for all your hard work. This is all absolutely fascinating - and not just about Anderson. You see, I have also been stuck at a brick wall for many years as to the origins of his father, James Marsh, so your new info will hopefully provide a breakthrough with him too. I have a tenuous note that James' mother's name was 'Mary' - I don't suppose you made a note of his parents' names, did you? And have you any idea where Petty Cury is? As that might help in finding a clue to the birth place of James.  I have been in contact with the main Marsh groups who's Marsh ancestors lived in the surrounding villages (I even had my mtDNA taken!) but my Marshes aren't kin to them, unless very far back. The birth place of James and his parents might help in this (and no, I'm not asking you to do further searches!)
   And poor Anderson - probably already a lunatic when he was discharged from the army in 1857. I shall have a snoop around the London records online to see if I can find him before he was transferred to Cambridge. Shame we didn't find his burial place..........yet! I'm ever hopeful!
     Once again, thank you so much for all your help - it is VERY much appreciated.
         Best wishes,
          Jill

Keith and Selina - thank you both once again. Anderson and I appreciate your help! I look forward to hear if you're successful in your searches at the CCRO, Keith. Shame about the vandalism though.
              Best wishes,
                     Jill

Hello Keith,
   I would be most grateful if you could go up to the CCRO and check out the workhouse records for me whenever you get time.
   I already have The Cambridge Chronicle reportage of Anderson Marsh's  inquest dated 6 May 1871, and also his discharge papers from The 15th Hussars. I've discovered that it was unusual for a man to serve for so long in India (Anderson was nine and a half years in Bangalore) and he may have become mentally unstable there as he was quoted in the Chronicle's inquest report as having had 'sunstroke' twice and was 'quite out of his mind'. It also states that  'For the last two or three years he had been in the workhouse, occasionally coming out to see his father. However his father had died eight weeks ago'.   Also, just before he died it states he seemed 'dazed'. Was this workhouse also a 'home' for the mentally ill do you think? And did servicemen receive a pension upon discharge?
    Sorry to lumber you with so many questions but I feel so sorry for the poor man (he was the brother of my 3 x great grandma, and I found out that he used a razor to cut his throat on Midsummer Common - ugh!) and I would like to find out as much about his sad life as I can. He never married.
    Thanks again for your kindly reply and offer of help.
                     Regards,
                            Jill
           
   

Hello.
   Can anybody help me please? I am trying to find details of my ancestor's time in the above workhouse. I found him in the Union Workhouse on the 1871 census but  shortly afterwards he had committed suicide by cutting his throat on Midsummer Common in Cambridge. I have found out all about his early life spent in The Hussars in India but would like to find out about his time in this workhouse. For example when and why was he admitted. He was discharged from the 15th Hussars in 1857 but I can't find him on the 1861 census. Are there workhouse records anywhere online?
    His name was Anderson Marsh b 1822 Cambridge. He died 1 May 1871 in Addenbrooks Hospital. Does anyody know where he would have been buried? The workhouse cemetery? Addenbrooks cemetery?
    Thanking you in advance.
                 Jill