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can anyone tell me if i need to order army records to view them i am looking at date range 1800-1816
Thankyou Glenda

You can order them before you but it's not 100% necessary. I think from memory you can have three out (ie in the pigeon hole) at anyone time. But they do come up fairly quickly 15mins ish.

What series are you planning on looking through?

Iam lookin for any records on agrt grt grt grandfather who was in the 73rd foot regiment and was discharged in 1816

Do you think he may have been at Waterloo?

its possible but i dont know for sure

Have you tried putting his name in search on the National archives site his records may have been digitised and you may be able to order a copy through the site. would save a trip.

Shirley

Hi Shirley,
Have tried that I have some details but documents are only available to view at kew ,not possible to order online .
Thankyou Glenda

How do you know he was discharged in 1816?

Was he a regular soldier? or did he have a commission?

I got the info from access to archives it says something about being discharged and being in royal hospital chelsea

I'd suggest you read the research guides on the National Archives site, so you know what you need to look at before you get there. You can always order some before you go and they will be waiting for you. Then as soon as you get there, order 3 more! You're only allowed to order 3 at a time, but you can order 3 more when items have arrived in your pigeon hole! If he was actually in Chelsea Hospital, rather than an out pensioner, there should be lots on him!

Have you put his name in the memorial slot on the Royal Hospital Chelsea website? That will then tell you if he was an in or out pensioner. If he was an in pensioner then he would have lived there, if an out pensioner then he would have lived whereever but drawing a Chelsea pension

thats a pity Glenda. i got my 5x grt grandads through national archives site he was in the Army from 1825-1849 and came out as a chelsea pensioner (out) couldnt view them online but was able to order a copy from them that came by post.

Saved a long trip up to Kew from Kent.

Shirley

Thanks Ann
He was only 28 when discharged and went on to have six children unfortunately died in the workhouse in his 50s i hope to get some information about why he was discharged also any injuries as it might give me a clue as to why he went to the workhouse later in life.
Glenda

Thanks Nicola
I will try the chelsea hospital site
Glenda

Glenda

The answer is in your answer to Ann, he cannot have been a Chelsea in-pensioner if he died in his 50s in a workhouse.


Nicki

Glenda

Kew is a great place to visit - I go once every 6 weeks or so to look at various records usually Army or Navy.

As you already have the WO97/...... number from the info you already have I'd order that document prior to your arrival and as Ann has mentioned order 3 more when you arrive.

A couple of tips - if you've not been before you'll need a readers ticket easily obtained when you arrive - but do check the TNA website for ID documents to take with you.

Change for photocopying / to put on a photocopying card.

Take a digital camera as they allow you to take images of the documents - do a test at home first to get the settings correct.

They have military experts on the service desk - William Spencer is one name that springs to mind - he may be in duty when you visit.

And enjoy your day.

Patricia is right - if William Spencer is on duty that day, don't bother asking anyone else!

Thankyou Patricia and Ann,
Ihave more of an Idea what to do now I will order document before i go to savetime as I have a two hour trip many thanks for your help.
Glenda