Confused on Marriages, Census Records & Military

[ostrauts]

Hi Everyone,

I've received my 2x Great Grandparents marriage certificate yesterday.  I've worked through the previous generations of GGM Ellen (Nellie) Cashen.  But I wanted to know more about my GGF Henry Ashford.

His full name is Oliver Henry Ashford and he served and died with the South Staffordshire Battalion in South Africa in 1900.  So, his marriage cert informed me his father was Henry Ashford and he occupation was that of a Butcher.

My initial search came back with Henry Ashford in Birmingham in 1881 (Nail Maker) & 1891 (General Labourer).  But then I discovered a John Ashford in Birmingham and he was a Master Butcher.  So I thought maybe he was John Henry Ashford but I fount his birth record and there isn't a mention of a middle name.

So, I went with Henry Ashford and at the time of his son's wedding in 1896.  I went with that he changed his occupation.  I then fount my 4x GGF also Henry and he resided on Benacre Street in Birmingham and my 2x GGF also lived on Benacre Street when he married.  So, this was further proof for me at least I was on the right lines.

I then fount a service record for Oliver Henry Ashford serving with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and his service dates run from 10.6.1895 - 14.12.1896 (Home) & 15.12.1896 - 3.2.1899 (S.Africa).  And he records his father as Henry Ashford and his own occupation as a Nail Cutter.  So, there is clearly a connection there.

But he married on the 29.12.1896 in the Reg Office, B'ham.  Even though he was stationed overseas.  And then his marriage cert states he served with South Staffs.

So, I would like some advice.  Do you think I'm on the right line with the family?  But I can't understand the difference in regiments and his marriage date taking place during his military service.

Any advice would be appreciated and your thoughts.

Stuart

[carol8353]

Hi there,

Can you confirm what it says on Henry's 1896 marriage cert.
What age,job,address and witnesses does it show for (Oliver) Henry ?

Carol

[jim1]

Where did you see his name as Oliver Henry?
I ask because I can't see a birth for him under that name.
In 1901 Nellie is living with parents-in-law in Deptford.
Father-in-law is Henry a nail maker.
I think Oliver Henry, son of John is someone else.

Edit:
OK so there's 2 Henry Ashfords both nail cutters in B'ham at the same time.
Yours is son of Henry & Maria nee Pearson he being a nail cutter at marriage in 1873.

[ostrauts]

Hi Carol,

Details on marriage cert:

Name: Henry Ashford
Age: 21 Years
Profession: Private, 1st South Staffordshire
Address: 60 Benacre Street
Father: Henry Ashford, Butcher
Witnesses: Clara Mills & William Mills

Hi Jim,

I got his name of Oliver Henry from my Great Nan's birth certificate, Violet Elizabeth Ashford.

Regards,
Stuart

Edit: Nellie Ashford, listed as Cashford in the 1901 census is residing with her parents, John & Mary on Heath Mill Lane, B'ham.  Then 1908 she remarried to a Henry Woodward. 

I'm still certain that Oliver Henry Ashford died in the Boer War.  As the records show a H.Ashford, 1st Battalion, South Staffs died on the 30 Dec 1900 (Mooi River).  And it matches the info on his marriage cert.

[ostrauts]

I'm now certain that Henry Ashford & Oliver Henry Ashford in the military records are different men.  As their service numbers are 9032 & 4520 respectively.

[ostrauts]

I've deleted the Ashford branch of the family.  Just wasn't making sense of this occasion.

[carol8353]

At 60 Benacre Street in 1901 are Mary Scanlan 48 widowed and her 23 year old son Alfred.
So no help there then 

Trying to see if the witnesses ,the Mills's are related at all.

Carol

[ostrauts]

Hi Carol,

Thank you for the help on this one.  I've also been trying to locate the Mills and no luck so far.  I'm starting to think that the Henry Ashford who served with Kings Rifle Corps, who lists his father as Henry and he records is own occupation to be that of a Nail Cutter, the same as father is a different family from the one I descend from.

I've also discovered a Oliver Ashford (b: 1876) in the 1891 Census, to the parents John & Kate Ashford.  John's occupation is listed as a Butcher and the family are residing on Cecil Street, B'ham.

And a Henry Ashford (b: 1878) in the 1881 Census, to the parents John & Martha Ashford.  This John is also recorded as a Butcher and the family are residing on 69, Miles Street, Aston.

Regards,
Stuart

[carol8353]

The Mills are in a court off Benacre Street in 1901- they are a big family.
Looks like they might just be neighbours/friends rather than family.

RG13/2835
Folio 41
Page Number 18

William Mills    47
Clara Mills    37
William Mills    15
Catherine Mills    17
Fred Mills    11
James Mills    9
George Mills    8
Clara Mills    5