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Wow, thank you very much for that find. I guess that discounts the Foston on the Wolds baptism then.  I was never totally convinced that it was him.

I was aware of the 1809 Leeds Baptism, but I had previously discounted it for some reason in the past (maybe he appears in subsequent Leeds census' ?). Also although my William Simpson does have Leeds as a place of birth on one of the census', the reasons for that appear more logical as a nearby large city (and where he enlisted) than someone born in Leeds stating Foston as a place of birth on their Army records. I may have to re-research this guy to confirm.

For the 1804 baptism in Foston, only the mother is listed, so I'm presuming that he was illegitimate. The June month of birth appears correct according to the Army records, but why would he 'lose' 4 years? Would there be any benefit in understating your age upon joining? Mind you his son 'lost' 6 years on his marriage certificate in 1900 (vanity 

Thanks Matt

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help in locating my GG Grandfather's birth record. Details on what I know are as follows:

1851 census – Pensioner, aged 42 yrs. Born Yorkshire, living in Portsmouth.
1861 census – Chelsea Pensioner, aged 52 yrs. Born Leeds, Yorkshire, living in Portsmouth.

His Chelsea Pensioner service record state that he joined the Army at Leeds in Dec-1826. It states that he was born at ‘Foston’ and was aged 18yrs 8m at the time, so his approximate date of birth should be Apr, 1808. He was in the Army from 1826-1849 (appears to have spent the majority of time based in Ireland), when he was discharged due to ill health and moved to Portsmouth, UK, where he lived until his death. No next of kin or family details appear to be listed in the Army records.

He had a son (James) born in Gosport, Hants in 1837 and the Army records state that his forwarding address is ‘Portsmouth PO – Post Office?’ upon being discharged, so I’m fairly confident that it’s the same person as in the census records (which also include Irish born wife and children).

Now trying to work backwards and find his birth record (via Ancestry/Family Search records). I do not have a record of his father’s name to help determine the correct record. He was married twice in Ireland, but the parish marriage records there do not list father’s names.

So firstly, have I gone about this the correct way? The likeliest record I have found online appears to be William Simpson, born 13–Sep-1807 at ‘Foston on the Wolds’, East Yorkshire (nr. Driffield/Bridlington) to George & Mary Simpson. But there is also a Foston, North Yorkshire between York and Scarborough. I’m not sure how comprehensive these records are? I keep thinking that the N. Yorks version is the most logical as its closer to Leeds, but I can’t find anything there.

How can I figure out the correct birthplace and the correct record without knowing the parent’s names?

Thanks for your reply. Portsmouth records office do not charge to view the burial records (although they will if you request them to do it on your behalf). They also have lists of gravestone inscriptions etc. I'm not expecting anyone to pay any fees or wander through graveyards on my behalf.

I see on this forum that there are multiple search requests and offers from those who are in the vicinity and willing to search up information if possible. I don't see that my request is much different from any of the others. If anyone is in a position to assist in manner, then that would be much appreciated. If not, or if say Gosport do charge search fees, then I'd have to take it up remotely with them (I only visit the Pompey area once every 1-2 years).

Cheers.