US 12th Cavalry Query

[Peg12]

Hello from New Zealand
My grandfather's brother, Thomas Millar Livingston, was born 16th March 1900 in Armagh, Northern Ireland.

I have found him in the 1920 USA Census living in Grant, New Mexico as a soldier for the US Army.  I've also discovered on an Irish website that during World War One he fought for the 12th Cavalry.  The census shows he immigrated in 1917 but I can't find any passenger record of this.

I would appreciate any help/advice on this.  What did the 12th cavalry do?  Was there an army base in Grant, New Mexico?  How did an Irish man sign up for the US army?

Thanks for your time!
Leanne

[Lisa in California]

I don't know if there was more than one 12th Cavalry.  This explains a bit about the 12th Cavalry Regiment.
http://www.first-team.us/journals/12thrgmt/
New Mexico is briefly mentioned:
http://www.first-team.us/journals/12thrgmt/12_ndx01.html

Adding:  the 1920 Census was taken in Precinct 10 Hachita, Grant County, New Mexico.  The above website mentions the 3rd Squadron travelling by train in 1916 to Hachita, New Mexico.

Are you sure this is your Thomas?  His name is very difficult to read.  I cannot find his immigration.  I don't see him in 1930 in America.

[Lisa in California]

This is a tiny bit about a regiment outside of America:
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=103574&mode=threaded&pid=980868

[Lisa in California]

1930 Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah
Thomas M Livingstone, age 30, born c1900 "North Dakota", Single, Soldier, US Army.

Image states he was born in Northern Ireland, parents were born there as well.  He immigrated 1917.

[mmm45]

Lisa..the Great War Forum bit is for the British 12th Reserve Cavalry...The other stuff you found is spot on

Do we have his parents names and place of birth ?

Ady

[Peg12]

Thanks so much everyone for your input!

Lisa, you are brilliant for finding Thomas in 1930 Salt Lake City.  I'm absolutely sure that this is him.  I'm thrilled to solve a big piece of the puzzle, he has been the mystery sibling that no-one ever mentioned!

His parents were James and Annie Livingston.  Thomas was born in Lurgan, Armagh, NI.  His parents moved to Antrim around 1906 and then separated shortly after that.  His father was in and out of America over the years and passed away in Belfast in 1954.  His mother stayed in Ireland and passed away in 1948 in Donaghadee.

Thanks again for your time!

Warm Regards
Leanne

[Lisa in California]

Ady:  Thank you for clearing up the region for the 12th Cavalry. 

Leanne:

Have you checked his father's immigration papers?  His intended destinations might lead you to Thomas.  Could this be James?
NY Passenger list for the Adriatic arriving NY 28 September 1911, sailing from Queenstown.
James Livingston, age 40, married, Grocer Merchant, last permanent address Lurgan, Ireland.
Name/address of nearest relative...whence alien came: Mother? Mrs. Livingston, Silverwood, Lurgan?, Belfast.
Final destination: PA, Philadelphia.
Born: Lurgan, Ireland.  Additional information on following page.

[Peg12]

Thanks again Lisa, you're awesome!

That is definitely my great grandfather, James.  I hadn't picked up that particular passenger record for him.  It will explain why he isn't found in the 1911 Irish census.

Do you know anything about finding US Army records?  If I could find those then I'm sure that would explain alot about Thomas's travels.

Take care
Leanne

[jorose]

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html
 - it appears it will not be that easy to obtain his records.

http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov
  - he doesn't appear here either that I can see, or on the SSDI.

Interestingly, although I can't see the full record, there is also a Richard Millar Livingston who was living in Oklahoma and signed up for WWI (on Ancestry). A relation?

Given that he would have been just 17 at emigration, I do wonder if he came over just to enlist, having been told at home that he was too young. He might have figured a quick age adjustment when he signed up in the US would solve that problem.