COMPLETED George Henry FRENCH, RN

[fred2derf]

Hello,

George H FRENCH & Christina L. ANDERSON 
Marriage: 10 Apr 1863  Abercorn, West Lothian, Scotland

1851
Class H0107 Piece 1103 Book 7 Folio 8 Page 11
Civil Parish: West Wittering
Registration District: Westhampnett
Sub-RD: Manhood
Thomas French age 43 occ chief boatman on coast guard  b. Pevensey
Jane wife age 42 b. Cowes Hants
Eliza Ann dau age 19 b. Selsey
Catherine S age 15 b. West Wittering
George H son age 13 b. West Wittering
Thomas A son age 10 b. West Wittering
Charles L son age 9 b. Selsey
Daniel son age 6 b. Selsey

Jane's maiden name is LUTER.

In 1881 West Lothian Christina is using her maiden name:
Christina Lind Anderson sister in law age 39 sailors wife born Abercorn

Christina FRENCH (nee ANDERSON) died in 1917 and on her death certificate she is described as the widow of a Royal Navy Gunner - George FRENCH.

A daughter has a middle name of Luther so that ties her father to the George H. aged 13 in the 1851 census.

I'm wondering if some info can be found from Geoege's RN service or if his death can be found, anything at all that might help fill in some gaps.

Regards,

Fred

[km1971]

Hi Fred

There are two records for him on the National Archives website:

= http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7845602&queryType=1&resultcount=10

= http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=6823279&queryType=1&resultcount=10

He joined in 1853. That is the year they changed the system. Hence two records and two numbers.

Ken

[crimea1854]

Hi

You did not ask about his father, Thomas, but as a Coastguard it is possible to trace his career using the ADM 175 files available for free from the National Archives website. I have done this, and found that he joined the CG Service on 12 March 1831, nominated from the Revenue Cruiser Stag, with a first posting to Selsea Bill (ADM 175/6 pdf 275). His last posting was to Pagham on 13 February 1856, where he looks to have died on 31 May 1860 (ADM 175/7 pdf 263).

I will leave you to fill in the gap in his service, but will happily provide the info if don't want to.

For his earlier service on Stag, I'm afraid it's a trip to the National Archives, to consult her Muster Book in the ADM 119 series of documents.

Martin
Coastguards of Yesteryear 

[fred2derf]

Hello Ken,

Thank you very much.  I clicked on the links but get an error message.

I've added the 1863 marriage to my list to purchase.  With the Luther connection and the reference to a RN gunner I don't think I have enough proof yet that I have the right George.  I think I'd better post a request on another board for census look ups.

Regards,

Fred

[fred2derf]

Hello Martin,

Thank you very much for the details. If I can confirm I have the right George then I will certainly follow up the details of his father's CG Service.

That's good to know about TNA because I have at least one other in my tree who is listed in a census as being in the CG Service.

Regards,

Fred

[km1971]

Hi Fred

Go to http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/royal-navy-service.asp and click on search.

ken

[fred2derf]

Thanks Ken.

I have bookmarked that one.  I get lost and feel intimidated searching TNA.  Never have got used to that site.

Regards,

Fred