Greer Family

[bandits1ock]

Seeking any information on the Greer family
CHARLES J in 1901 was 44  and CHARLES W in 1901 was 15
Charles J Greer lived at 24 North Street, Portsea, Portsmouth
      
Arthur James son of Frances Gertrude SALMON formerly GREER of 27 Frederick Street

This is the only information I have managed to find as the family do not appear in any census prior to 1901. i suspect they may have lived or born in Ireland.
Any information would be grateful

[rosie99]

. i suspect they may have lived or born in Ireland.

In 1901 it gives Charles J Greer's place of birth as Scotland and Charles W Greer's as Ireland.  all children except the youngest two age 2 and one were bn Ireland, the youngest bn Portsmouth. So obviously in Ireland prior to 1901 - Charles senr was a Coastguard.

Rosie

[bandits1ock]

thanks - is there any way i can find details in Ireland/scotland resources

[rosie99]

Hi

Can't help much on these but

Scotland
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,116131.0.html


Ireland
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/board,385.0.html

Rosie

[Little Nell]

ScotlandsPeople is the official site for Scottish records, pay per view but quite reasonable. 

But you can narrow things down using free resources as much as possible.  Scottish births and marriages from the start of civil registration in 1855 until about 1875 are included on the IGI.  Given that you know Charles J Greer was 44 in 1901, his birth is easy to find in 1856 in Inverkeithing in Fife.  His parents names were Charles Greer & Frances Stark.

Using those parent names on the IGI brings up 6 births/baptisms, five of them in Ireland, 1860s- 1870s.

The 1856 birth entry in Scotland will tell you where the parents married and the date.  It will give you a good starting point.

Was Charles senior a military man?

Nell

[crimea1854]

Hi

I believe that you will find that Charles Greer, the father of Charles J was also a Coastguard.

Using the ADM 175 records (CG Establishment Books) that are available as free downloads from the National Archives, it is possible to trace his movements.

As a start I found that he was nominated to the CG Service from HMS St Vincent on 14 February 1846, with a first posting to Sidmouth. From here he was transferred to North Queensferry (Scotland) on 10 May 1850 and then to Innisbofin (Ireland) on 5 May 1857. If you have any difficulty tracing him further let me know and I will complete his service history for you.

While at North Queensferry he served with a Commissioned Boatman named James Starke, my guess is that this is the father of Frances, so it could also be worth tracing his movements as well to find a likely birth place for her.

To find more about Charles' service in the Navy you need to consult St Vincent's Description Book, which unfortunately can only be done at the National Archives. This will provide a physical description, age, place of birth, and a list of all his previous ships.

One last piece of info, during the Crimean War in 1854-55 he was one of those CG who re-entered the navy, serving on HMS Cressy as an Able Seaman, for which he was awarded the Baltic Medal.


Regards

Martin
Coastguards of Yesteryear

[bandits1ock]

Marti
absolutely brilliant information thanks. You have filled in so much that I was not aware of.
I would be most grateful if you were able to source his service history as i really would not know where to look
once again thanks
geoff

[crimea1854]

Hi Geoff

I've now traced his movements, which were as follows:

8 Nov 1861 to Sheephaven
10 Dec 1861 promoted to Commissioned Boatman, remaining at Sheephaven
10 Feb 1863 to Soldiers Point
17 June 1864 to Strangford following promotion to Chief Boatman
28 Aug 1865 to Malinmore promoted to Chief Boatman in Charge
1 Nov 1869 to Portnoo
23 May 1871 to Innisbofin
6 Oct 1871 to Tarbert
15 August 1874 to Banna

I have not taken his service any further, because from 1873 every man in the Navy had an Official Number and a service record. This can be downloaded from the National Archives website for £3.50. You need to enter his name and the official number 75253 in the search facility to find your man.

The good news is that the later CG records include his place and date of birth, which he gave as Dunfanehagh, Co. Donagal, 21 August 1825.

I will trace James Stark, but I'm going to give my eyes a rest until this afternoon.

Regards

Martin

[bandits1ock]

magic - Im so grateful. I really was having no joy in tracing the family back beyond 1901.
Thanks again
geoff