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Hi all,

I've been trying to break a brick wall in my Stewart line for ages, and believe I may have made a breakthrough!  (1) I'd like an opinion on whether this information fits the way i believe it does and (2) if so, where might I go from here to find additional information.

I have a marriage record for James Stewart to Margaret White in Dundee, Angus/Forfarshire Scotland in 1855.  James' parents are listed as John Stewart and Jane Jones.  He indicates his place of birth as Co Londonderry Parish Tamlaugh (I assume Tamlaght).  This is all I had to go on.

Today I came across a record for a census extract from census return of 1851 for a Dorothy Stewart with parents listed as John Stewart and Jane Jones in the parish of Tamlaght O'Crilly.  There are 2 images which were the result of 2 searches (see attached).  Household members (no ages) are listed and there is a James.  (note that James does not appear in the 1851 scotland census and I'd always assumed he'd moved between 1851 and 1855).

(1) do you think this is the correct family (e.g., James' parents and siblings) and (2) it appears Dorothy would have moved to Scotland at the time of the record as the address she lists on the claim is LGB (Local Government Board) Edinburgh?  If so, I cannot find a death for her in the ediburgh area.

thanks in advance for weighing in with opinions or with suggestions on where to search next.

Jennifer

I have reason to believe that my great uncle served in the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force as he listed the South African Heavy Artillery Brigage, 72nd Siege Battery as occupation on his marriage license in England in 1919 (and that appears to be part of the SAOEF from the information I've gathered).  I'm particularly curious about where his records may be as there is this information online: "as they were not officially a South African force." 

"The South African government formed the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force (SAOEF) in July 1915, as its contribution to the British war effort against the Central Powers. As South African legislation restricted the Union Defence Forces (UDF) to operating in southern Africa, an entirely new force, made up of volunteers, had to be raised for service in other theatres of war. As they were not officially a South African force, the SAOEF was placed under British operational command for operations on the Western Front. "

Also, there is this from the website "SAOEF units and formations did not serve as distinct South African forces, but were integrated into the British imperial armies and divisions in the field." 

"On the Western Front, the [SA Heavy Artillery] brigade was armed with 6" Howitzers and was placed under command of the Royal Garrison Artillery, (April 1916)"

So, 3 questions:  (1) would his military records be in South Africa? (2) would they have worn British Army uniforms or have S. African military uniforms and (3) how do I find out what the RGA was doing on the Western Front in1916 so I can learn more about his activities during the war

Jennifer

looking for help in finding information about time spent as a POW (not necessarily military records since I know where to find those).

My great uncle John Stewart (b. 1921 in Scotland, d. 2000 in Durban S. Africa) served in the south african military in WWII.

Here are the details according to his son: He was in Royal Durban Light Infantry [RDLI] and I think he was slightly under age when he joined up. He was sent to North Africa to fight against Rommel’s forces at the early stages of the war and was captured very early on in the war in North Africa at Tobruk, and was shipped to Italy to a prison of war camp just north Venice.

He managed to escape along with a number of other South African in the camp .They were befriended by a small farming community and they live and worked on the farms always being aware of their status as escaped prisoners.

Any thoughts on finding out more about his time as a POW?  Especially in figuring out what camp he was sent to, as my Google seach seems to suggest that most of those captured at Tobruk wound up in the southern parts of Italy.

I'm awaiting access to his military records. Does anyone know if those will have that information.

I have several ancestors who relocated to South Africa (Durban area) and have received some help in tracking them from this group!  My great grandfather Murray Stewart relocated there in 1926 and died in 1944 (I have his estate papers).  His son John Stewart also relocated there in 1936 and died in 2000; I have had people point me in the direction of his estate papers. 

While searching link with pictures of grave markers, I came across a marker for a Frederick Forbes Stewart, who died in 1960 at the age of 80.  In NAAIRS, I found the corresponding record with these details.  He was born in Scotland, and I think he may be my great grandfather Murray's brother.  That Frederick was born Forbes (as an illegitimate birth) in 1880, later going by Frederick Stewart by 1891 census after his mother's marriage.  There is only 1 person in all of Scotland who was NAMED Frederick Forbes Stewart. This was Murray Stewart's first son (e.g., Frederick's nephew) who was born in 1912 and died in 1914.

I think the odds are very high that the person below is the Frederick (b. Forbes) Stewart that I think it is.  Wondering if anyone can assist me in finding out? Thanks in advance!

DEPOT     NAB                                                                   
SOURCE    MSCE                                                                 
TYPE      LEER                                                                 
SYSTEM    01                                                                   
REFERENCE 2299/1960                                                             
PART      1                                                                     
DESCRIPTION          STEWART, FREDERICK FORBES. BORN IN SCOTLAND. PRSP STEWART, EMILY     
           ANN. BORN WISEMAN. NO TRACE. DECEASED ESTATE.                       
STARTING  19600000                                                             
ENDING    19610000           

Jennifer

I have a few questions about ancestors who came to S. Africa in that time period.

I have been able to find my great grandfather's passenger slip from the UK to South Africa, which was quite a find, as the date was much earlier than I initially thought; he arrived in Natal in 1925.  He married in 1941.  I have the address on his marriage record in 1941, and his death (which you found for me), which was different.  He was a carpenter I believe (though also worked as a ship joiner at times in the past as well).   I'm wondering what type of records I might find in that time period that would help me pin down what he was doing or where he was living etc?

I also know that 2 of his children came to South Africa afterwards, John and Mary.  I was able to find their passenger slip as well, and they arrived in Natal in 1936.  Mary was 20 and occupation was listed as a chemist.  John was 15 and the slip has occupation listed as "nil." 

I know John fought in WWII.  I'm wondering would there be a separate South African army that fought in the war, or if he'd have been in the British forces.  Any thoughts or suggestions would be very helpful!

Jennifer