General Chat

I'm not upset. I was just replying to your post is all.

Oh dear, Glyn - I didn't want to upset you or cause any argument! It was just an observation. I really hope you find someone from his family.

I came here for help and have been very pleased with the response both on open forum and by PM. I don't see anything condescending in my posts, they appear friendly, frank, and to the point. Which is exactly what is intended.

If you don't like my prose I'm afraid there's nothing I can do except suggest you take it at face value and not look for hidden messages. I'm not that subtle I'm afraid. I'm a "say what I mean and mean what I say" type of person.

What I meant was that to find any living relatives you need to find if and when he married and had any children. Or find any of his siblings and then their descendants. This is the difficult part with a name like his!

I must say that I and others have been happy to try to help you, but I find your attitude somewhat condescending.

Some people did travel Anne, I don't dispute that. Army postings is one way it was achieved but generally there was not as much personal travel in those days as we are used to now because journeys were more arduous, even by train but that is a debate for another time.

Of course when one generalises one must expect exceptions.

We have already tracked HIM down Anne. We know he lived in Heybridge, enlisted in Colchester and died in Dublin. We know where he's buried. Our problem now is finding out if he has any surviving relatives and it's that which is proving the toughest.

Glyn

We all, on here, know that people did travel around a lot - even the poorest of people. I'm not saying that it's the right marriage, but it's perfectly possible.

I think it's going to be very difficult to track him down - with a name like Smith, it's not easy!! I also know from looking at WW1 records for you that there were lots of men around with the same name!

In the early 1900's however there wasn't as much travel for the working class as there is now. Whilst I am prepared to accept that it's possible, 90% of me says it didn't happen.

Before you discount Devon remember most marriages take place in the brides parish.

Linda x

Ann, thanks for your efforts. At least it has confirmed (again) that our information thus far is correct.

Glyn

Had a look at National Archives today, and whilst there were many Arthur Charles Smiths, I'm afaid you man wasn't amongst them. I also looked at Soldiers Died in the Great War. This gives his birthplace as Malden, Essex, his residence as Heybridge, and enlisted Colchester.

I wasn't aware the Youlden marriage was in Devon. Yes I think we can then discount that.

If you're willing to examine the records for me I would be very grateful. As the time draws ever closer to unveiling the new plaque, the guys from the regiment are eager for more information. Unfortunately our website was down for a while because the service provider went bankrupt (I think) but it's back now and I will be reporting everything I find to the guys who want to come to Dublin.

If you have discounted the Devon Smiths then surely the marriage to Emily Mary Youlden is also discounted as it took place in Devon?
If Tina Marie doesn't get a chance to look at the records office my offer to search the Heybridge parish registers on the 20th still stands, as we will be withdrawing them from the records office to display in church.

Mary, the Devon Smiths were known to us and considered before we had AC Smith's death lines. I think we can safely discount them now.

Tina Marie, that would be very helpful if you were willing to do that. I'm grateful.

HI Glyn.

Would a trip to the Essex records Office be of any help? I am able to go there on Wednesday ( I need to kill time in Chelmsford) and it would be a pleasure to help. But, I really have lost the plot on which A C Smith he is, although the marriage to Emily has given a clue.

Heybridge is actually one of our bigger villages here so will feature at the records office.

Tina x

Some Smith-Youlden children:

Births Sep 1911 (>99%)

SMITH Ada M, mmn Youlden Axminster 5b 10
SMITH Allan G, mmn Youlden Axminster 5b 10

Births Sep 1914 (97%)

Smith Dulcie M, mmn Youlden Axminster 5b 12

The first two look like twins.

Axminster's not very close to Essex, though.

Thanks Caz. Very kind of you.

Glyn I wish you all good luck for Private Smith, God rest his soul,


Caz x

You'll have to forgive me Judith, I was quoting direct from the newspaper itself. I didn't think for one minute they'd get their own title wrong. http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b231/GDavies/NewspaperReport.jpg

As it transpires, we now believe he may have married an Emily Mary Youlden. It would likely be their children we are seeking now. Any ideas?

Yes Glen, the paper used to be the Maldon and Burnham Standard but now has two separate editions the Maldon Standard and the Burnham Standard, I am secretary of the parochial church council for St Andrew's church, Heybridge. On the 20th of this month we have a gift day in church with our parish registers on display so will gladly look to see if there is mention of this man being baptised in the parish church, or of any other Smiths who might be relatives. I see the 1901 census has just 8 people called Smith born in Heybridge so hopefully any of that name I find have a strong chance of being related..

Very pleased to help...............pure luck on my part.

I have everything crossed for you now! :))

xx