Genealogy Chat

I cant find my ggrandad in 81 census. His name was George H/Atcliffe (spelt various ways) born in 1862 in Bolingbroke Lincs. I know he fought in the Boer War but don't know exactly when this was. He was definately a soldier so I wonder where he could be in 81. Thankyou for any help. Carole xx

There were two Boer Wars. The first was about 1891 (I think) the second was 1899, so he should be on the 1881 census - may be mistranscribed, as a lot of it is. Kath. x

Mary SMITHSON Head W Female 56 Habrough, Lincoln, England Innkeeper & Farmer 117 Acres Emp 4 Men Eliza SMITHSON Daur U Female 34 Habrough, Lincoln, England Domesticated Cook Walter NICHOLSON Nephew U Male 31 Hull, York, England Brewer Maria BIRD Servant U Female 21 Ulceby, Lincoln, England General Servant George HATCLIFF Servant U Male 23 Waltham, Lincoln, England Ag Serv (Indr) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source Information: Dwelling Brocklesby Road Pelham Arms Inn Census Place Ulceby, Lincoln, England Only one i could find any good June

boer War =1899-1902(2nd one in south africa) Zulu war ended 1879- might still have been abroad,or injured,convalescing.

The only George Hatfield I can find on Ancestry, born Bolingbroke, was born c. 1877/8 and is a three year old living with grandparents on the 1881 census. Kath. x

You could try googling for Boer War sites and also check out NA at Kew.

The first Boar War was 1880-1881.

Is the family the one with William as a head and younger brother called william?

Thanks Tracy - was never sure about the first one. My grandad was in the second one, which is why I couldn't find him on the 1901 census. He was in South Africa. Kath. x

Thanks everyone for your help. June, that could be him working as a servant but place of birth is wrong - nothing new I know!! Tracy, if 1st Boer War was 1880 he could have been away fighting. Carole xx

I'm sure it finished 30 March 1881. He might've still been away though. Kath - mine are probably there in 1901, but I can't find any trace of them anywhere lol

Alter Yes you have the right family. George married in 1887 and had 4 children in quick succession from 1889 to 1895, so he definately wasn't away during that period! Carole

I doubt if its the servant-the age is way out-also if he was a soldier he most probably went straight in -he would have been 18ish in 1880- the first boer war is most likely.

Hows this ...........the only Hatcliffe listed.......... GEORGE WILLIAM HATCLIFFE (fathers name for middle name ?) 27415 Trooper 104th Company /4th Battalion Imperial yeomanry.(second boer war) UPDATE: possible red herring -there were 2 george william hatcliffes born of the right age for this war, which were 1880 and 1877.

Alter You are a star!! How did you find that? Now I'm confused as if he was in the 2nd Boer War he should be in 81 census somewhere! I've found him in 1901 at home with his family ( under Ateliffe) Carole

Carole . been doing some checking have you got a birth refernce for this chap reason =no-one listed as george hatcliffe/atcliffe or variations of in the years 1860-1864 for births in lincolnshire.

Alter No I can find no birth record for him. Just to complicate matters our branch of the family went by the name of Atcliffe, but it seems some of his siblings used Hatcliffe(various spellings) and some even swopped from census to census! I have Georges marriage cert and he is Atcliffe a labourer and his father is William Atcliffe. In 71 census they are Hatcliff. On Georges daughters marriage cert in 1917 he is George Atcliffe a soldier, it doesnt say deceased but he died in 1906 after the effects of being gassed in the war. Carole

Their marriage.................. George ATCLIFFE marries Elizabeth sands December 1887 Boston 7a 786 (cert)

Yes, that is his marriage. He didn't have anymore children after 1895 so I suppose he could have been in either war. Just wish I could find him in 81 to confirm which one. Carole

Couldnt understand him having a younger brother called William-I would have thought he would have been called that being the first born-if not then i think his middle name must have been william.