 Boer War Ancestor |
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 Jul 22 2010, 09:45 AM
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#1
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Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 22-July 10 From: North Kent Member No.: 5,039  |
I am trying to trace my wife's paternal grandfather. All I have to go on is that he was born in Dundee and served in the Boer War. His name was Archibald Douglas. We were told he served with the Seaforth Highlanders but the regimental records have no trace of him. Perhaps he was in another Scottish regiment. We think he lived the ltter part of his life in Edgeware and died around the 1980's. He had a full military funeral.
I would appreciate it if someone could point me in the right direction regarding the Boer War aspect as this is all very new to me. Thanks. Graham |
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Jul 22 2010, 11:31 AM
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#2
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 Member  Group: Administrators Posts: 414 Joined: 11-April 05 From: Middlesex/Hertfordshire Member No.: 78 |
Hi Graham
I think you need to tie down some basic information first. Have you got your father-in-law's birth certificate, or can you get sight of it if he's still alive? That should give you Archibald's occupation and his wife's name and maiden surname. It will also give you a location for the family at that date. Depending on when and where your father-in-law was born, you might be able to find the family in the 1901 or 1911 censuses (I'm guessing that he'd be born in that time period to have a father serving in the Boer War). If you're really lucky, Archibald might be a regular soldier and you'll be given his regiment in your father-in-law's birth certificate. But you should be able to find Archibald's rough age and confirmation of where he was born from the census returns. You need to have as much information about him as possible to be able to find the correct Archibald Douglas in army records as it's a fairly common name in Scotland. All the best Sheena |
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Jul 22 2010, 03:32 PM
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#3
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Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 22-July 10 From: North Kent Member No.: 5,039 |
Hi Sheena,
Many thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I have no records at all of my wife's family so I guess I will have to start doing some research and see if I can find her Dad's birth certificate. As you say, the name is a pretty common one in Scotland and this will not help matters. Another complication is that the old boy remarried bigamously and raised a second family so who knows what we will find when we start to dig around. Thanks again. Regards, Graham |
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Jul 23 2010, 09:43 AM
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#4
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 Member  Group: Members Posts: 117 Joined: 27-October 09 From: 1066 and all that ! Member No.: 3,835 |
This site maybe of help in your research.
http://www.angloboerwar.com/units%20imperi...th_highldrs.htm |
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Jul 28 2010, 10:58 PM
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#5
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Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 22-July 10 From: North Kent Member No.: 5,039 |
MAny thanks Ziggy.
Regards, Graham |
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