Aberdeen Militia

[Bunbury125]

Hi,
I have tried to Google around this question but cannot find an answer.
Does anyone know if you had to be born in Aberdeen to join the Aberdeen Militia? I have an ancestor whose birth I cannot find but whom I know was in the Aberdeen Militia  probably from late 1700's to about 1810.
Cheers
B

[MaxD]

The militia were essentially local part time units so while birth there would not be a requirement, most men would be living relatively near to the unit's base.

MaxD

[Skoosh]

The 1797 Militia Act Scotland required the parish schoolmasters to draw up a list of men to be conscripted in that parish. There were exemptions to joining the colours & paying a penalty was permitted.
 The Fencibles then were usually raised by prominent local landowners & were volunteers.

Skoosh.

[GR2]

Was he married at the time? The Aberdeen Archives have transcriptions of some militia documents on their website, including payments to support children when serving away from home.

[GR2]

The best book on the Aberdeen Militia is probably "Territorial Soldiering in the North East of Scotland during 1757 - 1814" by John Malcolm Bulloch (1914). You will find on-line copies to read.

[Bunbury125]

The best book on the Aberdeen Militia is probably "Territorial Soldiering in the North East of Scotland during 1757 - 1814" by John Malcolm Bulloch (1914). You will find on-line copies to read.
Thanks, will look this up.
B

[Bunbury125]

Was he married at the time? The Aberdeen Archives have transcriptions of some militia documents on their website, including payments to support children when serving away from home.

Yes he was married for some or all of the time. Will send an enquiry when the current situation has passed.
Many Thanks
B

[Bunbury125]

The militia were essentially local part time units so while birth there would not be a requirement, most men would be living relatively near to the unit's base.

MaxD

That's very helpful I did wonder if that was the case as having found no birth records for him around the place he was married( Latheron, Caithness). I think perhaps he he may have been there as a soldier and married a local lass.
Many Thanks
B

[Bunbury125]

The 1797 Militia Act Scotland required the parish schoolmasters to draw up a list of men to be conscripted in that parish. There were exemptions to joining the colours & paying a penalty was permitted.
 The Fencibles then were usually raised by prominent local landowners & were volunteers.

Skoosh.

Interesting, it's looking as if this name must appear somewhere then. I'm he'd have provided some basic details about his origins and or next of kin when he enlisted which if he joined before he was married might be his father or mother or sibling.

Thanks
B