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My 3 X great grandfather, Hugh Shields, was born @ 1782 in America, according to the 1851 Census. However, his first child, Elizabeth, was born @ 1825 in Penrith, Cumberland. His other children were born in Penrith, Wigton and Lancaster, Lancashire. His wife, Ann O'Neil was born in Ireland! I haven't been able to find a record of the marriage yet.

My question is about British troops who fought in the American Revolution. I understand that some soldiers brought their wives and families with them. My supposition is that Hugh returned to Cumberland with his parents when the war ended. Either that, or Hugh's family were Loyalists who returned to England. Would there be any records of British soldiers who fought in the war?  Hugh's first son was named Joseph, so it's possible his father was also Joseph.

Any help would really be appreciated, as I've hit a real dead end here!
Thanks, Seattle

Hi,

Can anyone look up an obituary for Bernard Darby in Philadelphia?  Social Security records show he died on 1/15/1994.

He was born 7/10/1947 in Philadelphia - parents Bernard Darby and mother Rose, who died in childbirth or shortly after.  His father was in the Royal Navy and was born in Kent, England.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Seattle

Hi John,

I believe John's parents were Edward Collard (1832 Tredegar) and Margaret Watkins 1832 (Longtown, Hereford). Married Tredegar 13 Sep 1847.
 Other children:

Edward Augustus     1854
Sarah Ann                 1858
William Benjamin       1859
James Albert              1863
David P.                     1865

I have been researching for my cousins wife.  Her gr grandfather was Edward Augustus.  I think Edward died and Margaret married David Probert in 1868, then Thomas Phillips in 1877.

Edward Augustus's family moved up to Rhayader, Radnorshire.  I've been reading the other posts and would be very interested to see which earlier Collards came from Somerset, as I can't find the parents of Edward(1832).

Thanks,
Sharon

Hi Geoff and Evie,

I found Hugh, Ann, Elizabeth, Joseph Hugh, John and Sarah in 1841 in Thurnham, Lancaster, Lancashire.  The 1851 census gave me their places of birth.

Elizabeth (1825) and Joseph (1827) were born in Penrith.
John (1832) was born in Wigton and Sarah (1838) in Thurnham, Lancaster.

Strangely, Hugh (1782) was born in America and Ann (1796) in Ireland. That's where the trail goes cold!  Ireland is impossible, because I don't even know which county to start looking in.  As the American revolution was going on about the time of Hugh's birth, the records don't give much in the way of details.  Only the head of household and number of people in the family.  Of course, I can't find any Hugh. 

I'll check the IGI batches again, Geoff, for other denominations. I think I've checked them before, but maybe I missed something.

Many thanks to both of you for your help.
Sharon