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Post by caroline on Aug 29, 2011 9:54:36 GMT
I am trying to track down my great grandfather Benjamin Cooper who was born in Wrexham in 1829. He joined the army and finally settled in Kent as a Chelsea pensioner. I cannot find any trace of his birth or any other Wrexham connections and wonder if anyone out there can help. His children were called Walter or possibly Walton , Flora and Harvey. As names often recur in families I wonder if these names might be a clue? All suggestions gratefully received!
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Post by eluned on Aug 29, 2011 11:18:10 GMT
Hi caroline and welcome I noticed you have posted on another forum, were you able to look at the Chelsea Pension records on FMP? These are available on pay as you go. The 1841 census for the Wrexham area is missing but there is however a 1841 census transcription booklet available, produed by Clwyd FHS, for Wrexham town only. 1841 Census Wrexham Town: Benjn. Cooper. www.namesfromclwyd.org.uk/
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Post by eluned on Aug 29, 2011 13:25:01 GMT
1871 Gravesend, Kent RG10; Piece: 892; Folio: 32; Page: 4 Benjamin Cooper 43 b.WrexhamEmma wife 43 b.Shoreham, Sussex Walter 13 b.Cork, Ireland Flora 11 b.Cork, Ireland Harvey 4 b.Tilbury Fort, Essex Tilbury Fort, an interesting read en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilbury_FortHave you located Benjamin and Emma's marriage and obtained the certificate? If so could you provide the details please. What was Emma's surname? eluned modified to correct a typo!
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Post by eluned on Aug 29, 2011 13:50:20 GMT
1861 Not found but two of his children were born in Ireland between 1858-60 so perhaps they were still there. 1851 Not found Is this him? 1841 District Isle of Sheppey Barracks, Kent HO107; Piece 474; Book: 17; Folio: 3; Page: 3 Benj Cooper 15 Private 75th Regiment b.I(reland)
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Post by caroline on Aug 30, 2011 20:03:55 GMT
Thank you for your help and interest. Yes I'm also searching on Rootschat. So far I've found that he died in Gravesend in 1878 and joined the army in the Royal Atrillery in 1847. Although his army record gives his birth as Wrexham 1829 I think it must have been 1828 or even 1827 judging by the census and death ages. Sadly I do not have any marriage details at all nor do I know where they met and if they married in England or Ireland. I think he would have been to young to be the soldier in the 1841 census -13 or 14, but it's not impossible if he lied about his age. In which case that isn't him in the 1841 census in Wrexham. 2 other possible clues are: the family name used to be Harvey Cooper but the Harvey was dropped and kept as a family name when someone in the famliy joined the army. Also I noticed some of the people listed were named Walton Cooper and Walton was a middle name of his grandon. Finally Benjamin's own middle name was Walter.
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Post by eluned on Aug 30, 2011 20:07:58 GMT
Do you have his wife Emma's surname to help seek a marriage?
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Post by eluned on Aug 30, 2011 20:44:46 GMT
This appears to be the birth registration for son Harvey. The birth certificate will confirm his mother's maiden name. Birth Mar 1/4 1867 Harvey William Cooper Orsett 4a 147 The district Orsett is in the county of Essex.
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Post by eluned on Aug 30, 2011 20:58:55 GMT
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