Army Marriage

[meggles]

Hi, Sorry second message today - I was also wondering how I would find a marriage in the army for John Petherick Harris born 1830 denbury Devon.
Family story is that he was married to a Spanish lady. In the 1851 census he was single but when he married for the second time in 1868 on his certificate he was a widow.  I have not found a marriage for him in England but I know he spent nearly 5 years in Gilbrator, So is their anyway to search Gilbrator BMD? Or would the army have the records?
Thanks again
Megan

[Valda]

First search the overseas GRO marriage index since that includes army marriages (before an army chaplain but not marriages in ordinary churches)

http://www.nationalarchivist.com/HomeServlet

Regards

Valda

[meggles]

Thanks Valda
I have checked there but no luck.
I guess if he did marry overseas it was in a church and not in front of the army chaplin.
Megan

[Valda]

If you check the Mormon's library catalogue for Gibraltar

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp

you could order and view on microfilm at your nearest Family History Centre, Gibraltar's civil registration index (began in 1848) and some Catholic church records (you would expect marriages in these churches to be indexed in the civil registration index). The church records do not include Kings Military chapel - the Garrison church. You would have to write to them if you wanted a search in their records.
Not all the army marriage records held by the GRO are indexed. What is indexed is the army chaplains returns 1796-1880 but not the marriages in the regimental registers (not all of which the GRO holds) but of course there is overlap between the chaplains' returns and the regimental registers. If you know a soldier's regiment you could request a search in the regimental register if held by the GRO. The National Archives also holds a small number of regimental registers.

Regards

Valda

[Ermintrude46]

Apologies for hi-jacking this thread, but wondered whether the sources you have cited will also hold good for baptisms of soldier's children.  Have just discovered my BIL's ancestor was in the 15th Dragoons late 1700s/early 1800s.  There are several children we think were his but not sure where to look for baptism records (one we are particlarly interested in had inconsiderately died before noting her birthplace on the 1851 census).
Cheers,
Ermy

[Valda]

Regimental birth indexes (baptisms before 1837 but the GRO issue them on certificates) begin in 1761 at the GRO.

http://www.neukol.org.uk/teesonline/famhist/downloads/GRO%20INDEXES%20OF%20OVERSEAS%20BIRTHS.htm

Regards

Valda

[Ermintrude46]

Oooh, thanks Valda, didn't know that, will give them a go.
Cheers,
Ermy

[julianne Rowsell]

Hi

I was wondering if you had any info on trying to find a birth in Germany.  My ancestor was born in Nasau, Germany in 1824.  Not sure if this was in the military though.  On the census he says that he is a british citizen.

I would be glad of any help

Thanks in advance

[Valda]

If it was not an army baptism or a birth which was registered with the British consular then it won't appear in the GRO overseas indexes. Have you checked those sources?

Both these websites have access to the GRO overseas indexes

http://www.familyrelatives.com/

http://www.findmypast.com/home.jsp

What occupation for their father does your ancestor give on their marriage certificate? Does the information give any clues to a military connection?

If the baptism does not appear in the GRO overseas index you would need to look in local sources for a baptism in a church in the Nassau area . The Moderator Berlin-Bob should be able to advise you.

Regards

Valda