RC baptism at Shorncliffe in 1862

[Irene B]

I am looking for the baptism of Emily Mary Shields born in Shorncliffe in 1862.  Her father Thomas was a soldier so probably based at the camp and I know they were Roman Catholics as he married his wife Mary in a Catholic Church.  Can anyone tell me which Church she was probably baptised in?

I am trying to find out the rank and regiment of her father, he was probably in Royal Artillery.  By the time I find them on the census in 1871 he has left the regular army.

[rosie99]

Where and when did Thomas marry    see below

[rosie99]

Ignore that last question .. In 1871 it gives his occupation as Adjutant 1st W.R.G. Arty Volt (Artillery Volunteers      )   age 49 born Ireland
Mary was born Gibraltar

[rosie99]

FindMyPast have index of Army records for a Thomas Shields born 1822, Ballinderry, Lisburn, Antrim, Ireland though it only appears to be a single page transcript

[Irene B]

Thank you, I have all of the details of his career with WRY Artillery Volunteers, it is his record with the regular army I am interested in.  I did see the FindMyPast page but when I used the reference on the National Archives website it didn't match.

We have the certificate appointing him as Adjutant to WRY Volunteers, also the one giving him rank of Captain, but we have nothing before that.  His two eldest sons were born in Ireland, a daughter Ellen was born in Woolwich, but we are sure that Emily Mary was born at Shorncliffe.

[rosie99]

I can't see any records online.  The birth certificate would probably be your best bet.

[Christine53]

I can see your family on the 1871 census in Leeds and that Thomas Shields was born about 1822 in Ireland. On the 1861 Army Index is a Thomas Shields Quarter Master Sgt 9th Brigade RA. The record states that the Regiment was stationed at Leith Fort, Shorncliffe, Athlone, Longford, Newbridge and Portobello so might fit with the birth of Thomas junior in Ireland or Emily in Shorncliffe. This record matches the service record for Thomas Shields b 1822 Ballinderry which has already been mentioned. I am seeing more than one page for this record which notes his promotion to Q M Sgt and also his intention to settle in Leeds on leaving service. This looks like your Thomas Shields but in the absence of baptism records a birth certificate might confirm the father's rank/regiment.

[Irene B]

I will look again, I must have missed the other pages

Thank you

[Christine53]

I've found a baptism for Thomas Walter Shields , son of Thomas Shields and Mary Flint of
Portobello Barracks , 9th June 1860 at Rathmines , Dublin.

http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/54b8d50016743

An image is available.