Patrick James - serving in India circa 1860 -1870

[Meeps]

Hi,
I am not having much success locating records for Patrick James who served in India in 1860 -1870. He was married to a Margaret James and they had a daughter called Henrietta James who was born in India. I can't find a birth record for Henrietta either.  Patrick was born in Armagh, Northern Ireland around 1841. Any help or assistance is appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[janinez]

Hi there

He is on the 1871 England Census, so is in England then - R.G. 10 / 970

Patrick James 30 b. Ireland - Soldier 2/16th
Margaret James 33 b. London, England
Henrietta James 2 b. West Indies

Living in Canterbury Barracks with other wives and soldiers.

Will scout around and see what else I can find 

[janinez]

In 1861 he is still in England

living 1st Battalion Infantry Reg. Shorncliffe Camp

[ShaunJ]

Findmypast has 9 pages from his army records: 2nd battalion 16th foot

[Meeps]

Thanks so much for your help with this! I am delighted to get this information. Now I just need to trace Henrietta's birth records in India.
Meeps.

[Meeps]

Ok, I have the military records for Patrick and it confirms Henrietta was born in West Indies in 1869. She herself had entered birth place as India on the 1901 census, so explains why I couldn't find anything.  Looking at where her father was stationed in 1869 it would suggest she was born in Barbados. How would I go about trying to locate her birth record, as nothing obvious is showing up on Findmypast etc.

Also on Patrick's record, there are remarks about him being named on regimental defaulters lists... can't make out the details. Are these records available elsewhere?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[gortonboy]

only thing i can see on FindMyPast IS

GRO REGIMENTAL BIRTH INDICES SUPPLEMENT(1761 to 1924)1761 - 1924

HENRIETTA JAMES  no year given   Kingston vol 27 page 271

[Eyesee]

Are you sure it is India. Sometimes that is written as East Indies, but Henrietta is born in the West Indies according to 1871 census that janinez found.

If you look at http://www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/history/16thfoothistory.html the 2nd Battalion of the 16th Foot was raised in Ireland in 1858, and in 1866 was sent to the West Indies, and return home in 1869.

Ian C

[Meeps]

No I Believe that it was West Indies, but for some reason Henrietta has entered India on the 1901 and 1911 census forms. Could have been an error on her own part.

Looking at his service records he did serve in East India also, but based on her age (2) in 1871 and his details, they are based in Barbados in 1869. It's strange because all along the family had talked about connections to India. Still, I am very happy to have obtained the information found by everyone as it provides lots of background, so thanks again.