Newbies first post

[TinyUK]

Hi, have recently come across this board and it looks so interesting and full of so much knowledge and information

I have just, literally a few weeks ago, started to try and locate where I came from.

My problem is I don't know where to go now...

My father told me he was born in Rochester, Kent UK in 1913; but  it lists it as  Medway. My grandfather was supposed to be from Broughty Ferry, Angus. And his family, were all fisherman from generations back. But no trace in BF or Dundee. I was told this  by my father. But I cannot find any trace of him....The closest match is Renfrew... Not exactly a fishing village. lol

I used the 1911 census and I believe he was a private in the Army. I located him in Chatham Barracks, Kent. It lists him as Private  413 1St Bn S W Borderers.

I cannot find any informatiion for why he was there. The war didn't start until 1914.

Also, my father remembers him transcribing music whilst in the army. I believe he was a bandmaster.

My grandfathers' name was Robert Sim If the Renfrew birthplace is true, and his age does hold out, he was born 1884.

My fathers' name was Leslie Robert Sim Born, I was told 'back of Rochester cathedral' Sept 8, 1913 .... I am most confused, not knowing how to authenticate any of the information. I cannot believe my father would have misled me.
Any help, would be greatly appreciated.

Kindest regards

TinyUK

[karenlee]

Hi TinyUK

Welcome to  Rootschat.  I am sure that you will receive heaps of assistance from people on this site.

Firstly though, do you have a copy of either your father's birth certificate or his marriage certificate??  This would be a good place to start as it will confirm a few facts for you. 

Also have you used FreeBMD as a resource??  It shows that a Leslie SIM, mother's maiden name SIDER was born about the right time as your father.  There is also a marriage for a Robert SIM and a Maud L M SIDER which could be his parent's.

Cheers
Karenlee

[crisane]

I looked for a Robert Sim in both England and Scottish 1901 census. None with a birth year close to 1884 born Renfrew living in England but this in
Scotland 1901 census

Robert Sim age 18 born abt 1883 at renfrew, Linlithgowshire, Montrose, County Angus.
Occupation -  2nd Roye Highrs,
Address Near Wet Dock Montrose (no of registration district 2)
Panmure Barracks Montrose.

If this is your man he joined the army at an early age not just when there was a war on.
Askarenlee says you need certificates certificates to make sure you have the right man and not wasting your time chasing the wrong family.

[Valda]

Hi


Medway is a civil registration district. It covered all these areas listed, including Rochester

http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/genuki/reg/districts/medway.html

Civil registration districts should not be confused with individual places whose names they might share in the area they covered.


Regards

Valda

[portybelle]

Robert Sim age 18 born abt 1883 at renfrew, Linlithgowshire, Montrose, County Angus.
Occupation -  2nd Roye Highrs,
Address Near Wet Dock Montrose (no of registration district 2)
Panmure Barracks Montrose.
.

Definitely some comfusion over where he was born! Renfrew is in West of Scotland, Linlithgowshire is in modern West Lothian!

Only one Robert Sim born 1883 - 1885 Angus according to Scotland's People - you might want to check this one out.

1 1883 SIM ROBERT M ST PETER DUNDEE CITY/ANGUS 282/01 0484

[Valda]

Hi


Robert Sim's marriage details will give information on his father.

Marriages Jun 1913   
Sider  Maud L M  Sim  Medway  2a 1318   
Sim  Robert  Sider  Medway  2a 1318

You can obtain a copy of the marriage certificate from the General Register Office

http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/


Maud L M Sim death registration
December quarter 1967 aged 80
Death registered Southport civil registration district
Volume 10f
Page 772

There is a death registration for a Robert Sim also in Southport registration district
December quarter 1965 aged 82
Volume 10f
Page 638

Findmypast hold the military service records for a Robert Sim born circa 1879 at Broughty Ferry, Forfarshire (Angus). Findmypast hold military service records for soldiers serving pre the First World War. His service records will inform you where (if he was serving) he was stationed in 1911. Ages on service records are not always accurate - men had a tendency to adjust their ages, but this earlier date of birth might mean it is worth checking for his birth in Scotland over a wider span of years. His service records will also give where and when he attested. Census returns for soldiers would be completed by the army based on the information they held.

http://www.findmypast.co.uk/home.jsp


Regards

Valda

[carol8353]

THis looks like your dad's death registration.

Leslie Robert SIM............ DOB 7 Sep 1913

Died Ormskirk Dec 1/4 of 1973 aged 60

Volume 10f page 422

Carol

[Annette7]

Think the Renfrew Robert could be the one.   Checked his birth certificate:

b.24/1/1883 at 2hr.30m a.m. at 8 Bell Street, Renfrew to James Sim, Joiner and Elizabeth Jane Sim, formerly Bennie (or Bernie), who married 24/6/1879 Dundee.

Informant was James Sim, father.

I am only able to view a transcript of the 1891 Census but living at King Street, Broughty Ferry, Monifieth, Angus:

Elizabeth Sim   31       Dressmaker          b. Denny, Stirlingshire
Robert Sim         8                                    b. Renfrew
Jessie Sim          2                                    b. Dundee

In 1901 Robert Sim 18   b. Renfrew is a private in 2nd. Royal Highlanders in Montrose, Angus.

The 1891 Census thus clearly shows that Robert lived at Broughty Ferry as a child, and I note on 'google' that Broughty Ferry is described as an old fishing village.

Annette
 

[portybelle]

Well done Annette! So Renfrew and Broughty Ferry both part of Robert Sim's back ground right enough!