A soldier - 1871

[eise]

If you were a soldier in 1871 residence on census at home in Birmingham at that time, where would i look for more info?  WW1 and 2 i am good at that mostly but this is completely new.

Eise

[km1971]

Hi Eise

Here is a link to researching pre-WW1 soldiers - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhistory/army/step4.htm

If you cannot get to Kew, Findmypast are putting the main service papers online (by 2011). These are original documents in Kew (in series WO97). If you can get to Kew you firstly have to hope he was still serving in 1873. If he was discharged before then, then you need to know his regiment. Men discharged 1873 to 1882 are in fewer sections- infantry, cavalry, artillery, plus a few corps. Men discharged after 1883 are all together in alphabetical order.

If his papers do not survive, you can look in the Muster Books, if you can discover his regiment.

Findmypast are also putting the Militia attestment papers (WO96) online as well in case he was not a Regular. I take it that he was at home, ie not in barracks? If you can find in in another census in barracks we can usually discover his regiment by the names of his officers.

Finding him on his children birth certificates may give his regiment.

Ken

[eise]

Thank you Ken,

I have just become a find my past member, quite recently but as it was only yeaterday i discovered this soldier who could our family I havene had a look, but it mis interesting that this is going to be on line it will be agreat help i imagine for many.

I will also try your link thank you

eise