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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Sussex => Topic started by: glenbrighton on Wednesday 28 December 16 13:38 GMT (UK)

Title: Edward T. Roberts - Coastguard - Born in the West Indies
Post by: glenbrighton on Wednesday 28 December 16 13:38 GMT (UK)
I am trying to trace the history of my G.G.G. Grandfather Edward T. Roberts.

I believe he was born in the British West Indies (St. Thomas or St. Croix) about 1807. On all his subsequent census entries he describes himself as a "British Subject".

In the 1841 census he is living in Seaford. He married Jane Sarah Wade in Telscombe (in 1834). His occupation is Coastguard. They have 3 small children.

In the 1851 census he is living in Newhaven in the coast guard houses, he is still a Coastguard and they now have 5 children.

In the 1861 census he is still living in Newhaven, he calls himself a "Seaman" and still has 5 children with him (they had 10 children).

In the 1871 census he is still in Newhaven, he is now a "superannuated Coastguard" & Labourer. He is living with a number of children and their husbands/wifes and children.

His wife Jane is a widow by the next census in 1881.

How do I find out about his birth in the West Indies? Can I find anything about his early life and how he got back to England?

I think I have found his death in 1878 in Lewes and have just sent off for his death certificate.

How do I find out about the Newhaven Coastguard, would they keep records that far back?

Edward is going to be my project for 2017, I want to find out as much about him as I can.

Thanks

Happy New Year!


 
Title: Re: Edward T. Roberts - Coastguard - Born in the West Indies
Post by: groom on Wednesday 28 December 16 13:47 GMT (UK)
I have a relative born in Barbados as his father father was in the army there at the time, this may be the case with Edward. Have you tried FamilySearch to see if there is a baptism?
Title: Re: Edward T. Roberts - Coastguard - Born in the West Indies
Post by: glenbrighton on Wednesday 28 December 16 13:58 GMT (UK)
I did look there and the only additional information was another possible birth year (1809) and that he was in the "United Kingdom, Merchant Navy Seamen Records, 1835-1941".
Title: Re: Edward T. Roberts - Coastguard - Born in the West Indies
Post by: keyboard86 on Wednesday 28 December 16 14:27 GMT (UK)
Hi the Merchant Navy record for an Edward Roberts born 22nd January 1809 St Thomas West Indies is on FindMyPast
Not much about his experiences but shows aged 36 when ticketed and ref 250443
A few people on this site who could delve further for you if in fact this is him?
Keyboard86

PS Newhaven gets a mention as abode in UK, and he also spent a few years in the Royal Navy
Title: Re: Edward T. Roberts - Coastguard - Born in the West Indies
Post by: Little Nell on Wednesday 28 December 16 21:42 GMT (UK)
You can trace coastguards via the records(Class ADM175) at TNA which can be downloaded free as part of the digital microfilm project.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/free-online-records-digital-microfilm/

In 1833 he was appointed to Bearshide from the Firefly and remained there until 1838.  Between 1838 and 1842 he was stationed at Cuckmere as a Boatman.  He was then promoted as Commissioned Boatman back to Newhaven.

Nell
Title: Re: Edward T. Roberts - Coastguard - Born in the West Indies
Post by: groom on Wednesday 28 December 16 21:53 GMT (UK)
Quote
Between 1838 and 1842 he was stationed at Cuckmere as a Boatman.

I wonder if he lived in the coastguard cottages that are always photographed and painted - the ones leading down to the Cuckmere?
Title: Re: Edward T. Roberts - Coastguard - Born in the West Indies
Post by: glenbrighton on Sunday 01 January 17 14:23 GMT (UK)
Hi everybody.

Happy New Year.

Thanks for all the help. I have his death certificate now and he died in 1878. It was my G.G. grandmother who registered his death and who was with him at his death, a lovely personal touch.

I want to find out about his coastguard career so will go down that route first.

The record on Findmypast states he first went to sea at the age of 6, and even has a description of him. More importantly it has a birth date, which is different from every census record and from the age on his death certificate.

I will have to work out how to find more information about his birth on St Thomas.

It mat even mean a visit which would be nice.

Thanks

Title: Re: Edward T. Roberts - Coastguard - Born in the West Indies
Post by: crimea1854 on Monday 02 January 17 20:02 GMT (UK)
During the Crimean War he was one of the Coastguards who saw active service with the fleet on HMS Nile, for which he was awarded the Baltic Medal. He gave his age as 50 in Nile's Description Book, which made him one of the oldest men in the fleet!

Martin
Title: Re: Edward T. Roberts - Coastguard - Born in the West Indies
Post by: glenbrighton on Tuesday 03 January 17 13:24 GMT (UK)
Martin,

Wow..... that is fantastic information, thank you!

How do I find the Nile's description book online?

Thanks

Glen
Title: Re: Edward T. Roberts - Coastguard - Born in the West Indies
Post by: crimea1854 on Tuesday 03 January 17 13:37 GMT (UK)
I'm afraid you wont. I viewed it at the National Archives while doing a research project trying to identify all those coastguards who served in the navy during the Crimean War.

I believe a previous poster has drawn your attention to his service/pension record, this provides dates for his service on HMS Nile.

Martin
Title: Re: Edward T. Roberts - Coastguard - Born in the West Indies
Post by: glenbrighton on Tuesday 03 January 17 13:44 GMT (UK)
Thank you Martin.

Already way ahead of where I hoped to get.
Title: Re: Edward T. Roberts - Coastguard - Born in the West Indies
Post by: BelAndJool on Saturday 16 September 17 19:14 BST (UK)
Hello! We found all the info on Edward Roberts very interesting, as we are also currently researching him. He is OUR GGG grandfather too!!! We would love to be able to impart more info but you probably know more than us. Have you discovered anything else, eg, who were his parents? Thanks. Bel and Jool
Title: Re: Edward T. Roberts - Coastguard - Born in the West Indies
Post by: sarah on Monday 18 September 17 10:42 BST (UK)
Welcome to RootsChat Bel and Jool,

Your reply has generated an email notification to let Glen know of your reply, I am sure he will be very pleased to hear from you.

Regards


Sarah :)