Genealogy Chat

National Archives- Soldiers who died in service
If a soldier died in service the principal personnel records that were retained for soldiers (those used for pension purposes) *** are less likely to exist.*** There are, however, some records that were created as a result of a soldier dying in service:

Less informative but still helpful, as they give the regiment, are an index of effects from 1830 in WO 25/2974 and a register of effects and credits 1830-1844 in WO 25/2975

Neither are available online

Marriage: 20 Nov 1837 St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancashire
John Haydock - full age, Weaver, Bachelor, Ramsgreave
Alice Margerson - (X), full age, Spinster, Pleasington
Groom's Father: John Haydock, Weaver
Bride's Father: William Margerson, Weaver
Witnesses: Joseph Fairbrother; Thomas Livesey
Married by Banns by R Burnet
Register: Marriages 1837 - 1838, Page 77, Entry 153
Source: LDS Film 1278817

Witnesses not connected - they were 'professionals' who signed multiple marriage registers over a number of years

??????????? You can cross-refer with his marriage cert when you receive it.

Baptism: 30 Mar 1806 St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancashire
John Margerison - Son of William Margerison & Betty
Born: 4 Mar 1806
Abode: Blackburn
Register: Baptisms 1803 - 1812, Page 252, Entry 9
Source: LDS Family Search

If right record............siblings

Baptism: 1 May 1808 St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancashire
Betty Margerison - Daughter of William Margerison & Betty
Born: 2 Apr 1808
Abode: Blackburn
Register: Baptisms 1803 - 1812, Page 295, Entry 16
Source: LDS Family Search

Baptism: 16 Sep 1810 St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancashire
Alice Margerison - Daughter of William Margerison & Betty
Born: 10 Aug 1810
Abode: Blackburn
Register: Baptisms 1803 - 1812, Page 339, Entry 2
Source: LDS Family Search

Footnote to Jink20's military info posted 03/02, Ormskirk is 100% not Lincoln - in those days it was Lancashire. Poor handwriting on the record, I suspect

I couldn’t find anything in the catalogue when I looked yesterday. Not everything is lodged in either the National or regional archives, which would show up on the NA catalogue.
Ask the Northumberland Fusileers. If they don’t have anything they should either know where you would find it or even if it exists.

Don’t forget you are asking for 200 year old records from an overseas regimental base.

Contact them.................

Contact us for advice
Still need help?
Live chat
For quick pointers.
Tuesday to Saturday (excluding bank holiday weekends)
09:00 to 17:00

Email
For more detailed research enquiries.

No, it can't, I would go to the National Archives if I was in the UK.

No, it can't, I would go to the National Archives if I was in the UK.

Not everything can be e found online.

Hi all

Just wondering what the best site would be to search military records for James Hartley. He was in the Fifth Foot Fusiliers on his death in 1837 in the Ionian Islands - Corfu. I have tried National Archives UK - but don't think I am using the search facility appropriately, so have not been successful. I've also tried ancestry but not with much luck but I suspect I wasn't digging into the right areas, and I couldn't work out which they were.

TIA

The Ionian Islands were a British protectorate from around 1815 to 1864.

Civil registration did indeed come into force on 1st July and was compulsory for marriages and deaths from day one. Only births were exempt from penalties - until 1875.
Not sure how stringently the rules were observed by the military - especially overseas

Thanks namelessone

Civil registration I think started 1 July 1837 - but not holding much hope it is there. I am currently trying to find a record on the muster rolls and the UK Regimental Registers. If no luck, I will try the Northumberland Fusiliers. Thanks again

Corfu is one of the Ionian Islands.

Added: civil registration didn’t start in England until late 1837 and wasn’t compulsory for a number of years.

Try contacting the Northumberland Fusileers museum I posted the link
on Feb 2. They will do some research for a fee.

Hi all

I ordered the certificate for the marriage of John Margerison - it is on the way.

I did try to order the death record for James Hartley - but was told later they could not find the record.

My question is how I can access/view a record of his death...I have tried on ancestry/GRO/FMP etc but no luck - perhaps I'm not good at using the search facilities. Anyways his details (as per personal family history)
JAMES HARTLEY
DOD; 30 AUG 1837
PLACE; CORFU

He was in the military hence why in Corfu. Any assistance appreciated.
Thanks

Jink20
The link went funny when I had to split it as it had widened the page. It is a google book which doesn’t need signing in.

Thanks everyone for your responses. It has helped incredibily I have spent the day researching and ordering relevant documents to confirm what I have found. I won't close this post just yet in case I have further question. Thanks again

Re nameslessone entry date 2 Feb 2026 14:04 regarding Northumberland Fusiliers

This is the direct link to the book

A History of the Northumberland Fusiliers 1674-1902 [5th Regiment of Foot, British Army] by H M Walker

https://archive.org/details/historynorthumberlandfusiliers

Free to register/sign in/ borrow. Internet Archive is an online library.

3 results for James Hartley Worlwide Army Index 1841

******* denotes same soldier

Hartley, James
Service Number: 220
Primary Unit: 2nd Life Guards

Service Number: 1763 *******
Primary Unit: 55th Regiment Of Foot
EDIT- NOT IDENTICAL TO SUBJECT SOUGHT AFTER- BORN MIDDLESEX


Service Number: 1253
Primary Unit: 53rd Regiment Of Foot



4 James Hartley's on the UK, Worldwide Army Index, 1851

Hartley, James
Incident Date 1851
Rank Private
Service Number 1763 *******
Duty Location Waterford & Cork, Ireland & Gibraltar
Primary Unit 55th (The Westmorland) Regiment Of Foot


Hartley, James
Service Number: 3658
Primary Unit: Depot Battalion

Hartley, James
Service Number: 2633
Primary Unit: 9th (The East Suffolk) Regiment Of Foot

Hartley, James
Service Number: 3658
Primary Unit: 44th (The East Essex) Regiment Of Foot

Further info on 781 Margerison... Apologies for any duplication


UK, Worldwide Army Index, 1841
Incident Date 1 Jan 1841
Rank Name Private
Service Number 781
Duty Location Catalonia and Vido
Primary Unit 5th Regiment Of Foot


UK, Worldwide Army Index, 1851
Full Name Margerison, John
Incident Date 1851
Rank Name Private
Service Number 781
Duty Location Mauritius
Primary Unit 5th Regiment Of Foot (Northumberland Fusiliers)

Weaver by trade, born Blackburn.
Attested at Ormskirk, Lincoln 19th November 1829. Aged 23.
22 years 136 days service.
Concealed that he had been discharged from 17th Lancers when he attested at Ormskirk. 192 days served with Lancers deemed "being totally unfit for His Majesty's Service"

:-D