National Archives

[speedtastickaligirl]

Not sure where to put this so someone please move it into the right place.

Last week I went to the national archives, and I've found out so much, I just had to tell you all =]

We already knew that his name was William Richard Chandler, he was in the 2nd Battalion of the Border regiment, his service number was 7617 and that he was 28 when he died. We knew that he died on the 26th October 1914, In Zantvoorde in Belgium, and that he was married to my great great nan, and they lived in 39 Dove Row, in Shoreditch, London.

Then we did a search on Ancestry, and found out that he enlisted in Haggerston, he was born in Bethnal Green, he was killed in action, and his theatre of war was Aldershot (not quite sure what that means though)

The we found their marriage in the march quarter of 1909- william richard chandler and sarah a kelley.

the we found a birth March quarter 1912, for sarah a chandler, my great nan.

living at 39 dove row in 1901 we found
Joseph Chandler - 42
Dustman
Elizabeth Chandler - 40
Joseph Chandler - 17
Labourer
Richard Chandler - 15
Edward Chandler - 11
Elizabeth Chandler 7

its funny, because on everything but the 1901 census and my g nans marriage certificate, he shows up as william richard chandler, but on those few things he is richard, which is what my nan has said his name was right from the beginning.

then we searched bethnal green for kelleys and at 16 wharf road came up with
Sarah A Kelly - 14
George Kelly - 12
Margeret Kelly - 16
Button Maker
Samuel Kelly- 46
general dealer
sarah a kelly - 41
Thomas Kelly - 18
general dealer

Then at the 1911 census at 39 dove row we got

William Chundler - 24
general dealer
sarah Chundler - 26
Elizabeth Chundler - 18 months

also at dove row in a different entry, is
Joseph Chundles - 49
dustman
elizabeth chundles - 48
joseph chundles - 26
labourer
Edward chundles - 20
bottle washer
Elizabeth chundles - 17
feather curler

so while the ages don't quite match up, its obviously them.

but, my nan had another great aunt called flo, who was older then elizabeth, born out of wedlock.
we searched for florence kelleys in 1906, 1907 and 1908, and found two, both in march quarter of 1907, both florence amelia kelley.
we have ordered the birth certificates to find out who the father was.

i've probably bored you all rigid, but i found it fasinating and really exciting, even my mum, who'd bought a book to read while i did it, got right into it.

and i just wanted to thank yo all, cause witout your help i never wouldve got that initial info

=D

Sx

 

[nainmaddie]

Hi Speedtastickaligirl

Well done with all your own work !! :2fun: :2fun: :2fun:

You have achieved a tremendous amount on your own so well done you !

If you need any more guidance please ask and we will try to help

Nainmaddie

 

[duckweed]

That's the beauty of Archive searching there is so much you can find out in just a few hours. It can be really mind blowing. They are going to close the National Archive to the public soon which I think is a big mistake. Searching online will not the answer even if they photo the original documents as they won't be able to photo every single document. What about items such as war diaries or estate records that won't mention an ancestor directly but nevertheless could supply important information.

 

[p.risboy]

That's the beauty of Archive searching there is so much you can find out in just a few hours. It can be really mind blowing. They are going to close the National Archive to the public soon which I think is a big mistake. Searching online will not the answer even if they photo the original documents as they won't be able to photo every single document. What about items such as war diaries or estate records that won't mention an ancestor directly but nevertheless could supply important information.

Hi DW,

I don't think they are closing TNA, only for a couple of days, to find ways of reducing running costs by about 10%.

Now doubt it will mean paying for more services somewhere down the line.

And well done Sue, that's fantastic. And no, never boring as it gives encouragement to others.

Steve.