ROBERTS, Abraham & Alice, circa 1821

[ap Roberts]

I have hit a dead end searching for ggggrandfather Abraham Roberts (soldier) and wife Alice.  Only info known is the above, extracted from christening record of two sons at St. Mary Magdalene in Woolwich (matching John's later marriage info); son John Jan 1822 and son Joseph Mar 1824 (of whom nothing else is known).  No subsequent census match any year, Wales, England, Scotland, etc. (Many Roberts at St. Mary Magdalene same time period, but not for Abraham and Alice.) No luck (children not listed) on Army Regimental returns. No ideas what regiment, Army Lists at PRO not accessible per net.  Family lore indicates Welsh connection, possibly stonemason.  Anyone-- any ideas? Thanks much for any input, ap Roberts in Canada   

[Bill749]

Hi ap Roberts

Welcome to RootsChat.

As Abraham was stationed at Woolwich I would suggest that the Roayal Artillery would be a good place to start - the R.A. Barracks have been on Woolwich Common, just a short walk from St Mary Magdalene Church, since the 1770s.

Regards, Bill

[ap Roberts]

thank you, Bill--Cheers

[coombs]

Ap Roberts

I am researching Roberts in Kent as well. Kemsing and Patrixbourne. Thomas Roberts born in 1813 to Thomas Roberts and Ann Goodacre who wed in 1807 in Patrixbourne by license. Thomas born 1813 was a soldier in the 17th Lancers and was sometimes based in Woolwich.

Thomas Snr was a servant by trade and I am having trouble locating his baptism in around 1778 in Kent as he was 29 when he got wed in 1807. I am assuming there might be a Welsh connection as well, but Patrixbourne is further east than Woolwich.

Ben

[ap Roberts]

I wish you luck, Ben!  I have no information for you, just musings which you might know already.  It seems there were a 'whole slough' of Roberts in that area at that time--I checked the St. Mary Magdalene (in Woolwich) christening records, there is quite a list there, all different sets of parents.  Not sure if any or all might be related. 
I am specifically hampered by not knowing the birthdate or place of Abraham or Alice--you have lots more information than I do--  (I also read that the Roberts name was one of the most common aliases taken by people who didn't want their past known!  so that is always in the back of my mind.)  Also know that Roberts often seems to be one of those patronymic names--the father's name taken as a last name--and this was done a lot in the Celtic areas (Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Ireland) so maybe that is why there are tons of Roberts.  Have you seen the Roberts UK mailing list?  Maybe help there.  There is also a Roberts DNA project.
Daunting, but my mother was able to track a 'Mary Smith' so maybe we'll be lucky--Happy Trails, ap Roberts

[ap Roberts]

I am wondering if the actual christening records for St. Mary Magdalene in Woolwich for 1822 (for John Roberts)  and 1824 (for Joseph Roberts) are available for lookup? 
I have found that the military records, at least the ones that I am able to access from Canada, are inconclusive. 
I was told (? source) that Abraham Roberts (father of John and Joseph) was listed as a soldier on christening record--but have no backup (esp since computer crashed).  Not in the IGI.    Perhaps church records are a better first step?
Thanks for any assistance--ap Roberts

[Bill749]

I think the original registers will be located at the London Metropolitan Archives Library, 40 Northampton Road, London EC1R 0HB

TELEPHONE: (020) 7332 3820

FAX: (020) 7833 9136

EMAIL: ask.lma@cityoflondon.gov.uk/

WEBSITE: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma

Regards, Bill