James Corless - Liverpool Regt. - Boer War

[Ken Lees]

Any advice or suggestions on researching this man would be appreciated. Here is what I know so far:

James Corless (Private 7856) served in the 2nd Boer War, going to South Africa in 1900 and returning in 1901. He was a member of a Volunteer Service Company of the King's Liverpool Regiment and probably left Liverpool in the first half of 1900. I know that he survived the war.

I have found a likely candidate for James on the 1881 and 1891 Census (via Ancestry) which would make him born about 1880 at Liverpool, the son of James (a boatman, HM Customs) and Emma.

He isn't on the 1901 Census as far as I can see, supporting my theory that he was in South Africa at that time.

I believe that the Liverpool newspapers of the period contained many references, and even photographs of the departing troops, particularly the men of the Volunteer Service Companies.

Can anyone suggest which newspaper I should look at first?

Any other suggestions to research this man would be welcomed. I have searched Ancestry and can find no other references to him.

Thanks,

Ken

[Doedoe]

hello Ken

there is a site called find my past (a pay site ), then go to ancestors on board .
there are 2 possibles for James , give it a try ,good luck Doreen

[Ken Lees]

Thanks Doreen,

Have you used Find My Past?

What kind of information might I find there?

I assume that the 2 references you mentioned are to ships' passenger lists. They both appear to point to the same reference.

I searched the military records and none of the results look like my man.

Thanks again,

Ken

[Doedoe]

Ken
yes I have used find my past .it used to be 1837 on line but changed its name , I found my g/father who was a volunteer as well .he is described as a miner on the list , but we have a foty of him in uniform
as a soldier , maybe it was for security reasons , people have recomended this site on other forums
Doreen

[jan44]

Hi Ken,

You can look in old newspapers (mainly Liverpool Mercury) up to 1900, if you go to the site, http://access.gale.com/newstrial/ the password is there for you, then search the newspapers from year to year (say for instance 1900, then type in a keyword (boar war) or Kings Liverpool Regiment and the name of the newspaper, and you should get some info.

Hope this helps.

Jan

[jan44]

Ken,

If you go to the newspaper site I have given above, there is an article in The Liverpool Mercury, 15th February 1900, if you use the keywords Kings Liverpool Regiment, the article heading is YEOMANRY & VOLUNTERS, they sailed for South Africa on 22nd Feb 1900, on the ship The Avondale Castle, that ship was later sold and renamed Garonna.

Have a look at the ships list site.

http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/csa.htm

Jan

[jan44]

Ken,

I found the following articles in The Liverpool Mercury Nov 22nd 1900 The Homecoming of Liverpool Volunteers and on Nov 28th 1900 Returned From The War.

There are no pictures, but fascinating reading.

Jan

[Ken Lees]

Thanks Jan, I will have a look and see what I can find.

Ken

[Mark Abbott]

Hi Ken,

I've managed to find some info on your man.

Mark

[Ken Lees]

Thanks Mark,

I'll try to ring you again later today.

Ken

[Ken Lees]

I have been trying for days to access the Gale website, using the link Jan provided, without success. As well as my PC I've tried it on two others. I know that it is accessible, as I have been told about the article that I am look for.

Could it be something to do with the security settings on the PCs I am using? Both are running Internet Explorer.

Ken

Hi Ken,

You can look in old newspapers (mainly Liverpool Mercury) up to 1900, if you go to the site, http://access.gale.com/newstrial/ the password is there for you, then search the newspapers from year to year (say for instance 1900, then type in a keyword (boar war) or Kings Liverpool Regiment and the name of the newspaper, and you should get some info.

Hope this helps.

Jan

[Doedoe]

ken

click on the link Jan gave you and press access now
this should get you in
Doreen

[jan44]

Sorry you are having problems accessing the site Ken.

This might take you to the opening page.

http://find.galegroup.com/bncn/start.do ... lAuth=true

Click on the circle near the word "Between" then the years etc should highlight, you will then be able to scroll down the years, I would leave months etc out just put between 1900 and 1900, if you still can't see the articles let us know and we will try and help.

Jan

[Ken Lees]

Thanks for the tips. I have now accessed the website and read some of the fascinating accounts.

Ken

[jan44]

Hi Ken,

I am glad you were able to see the papers in the end, I have had hours of fun reading all different things using various keywords in all different years.

Jan

[Ken Lees]

Another mystery that I'm sure the collective brains of the forum can crack:

I am sure James Corless was serving in the Boer War in South Africa at the time of the 1901 Census, but where were his family? I can't find any of them in 1901, anywhere in England/Wales.

It is possible that their surname was mis-spelt or mis-transcribed on the 1901 Census, but I've not had any luck with that either.

They were living at 126 Hartnup Street, Everton in 1891 but were not there in 1901.

His family (going by the 1891 Census) were:
James Corless (55yrs old in 1901)
Emma Corless (49yrs old in 1901)
Annie Corless (23yrs old in 1901)
Charles Corless (22yrs old in 1901)
Emma Corless (19yrs old in 1901)
Ethel Corless (15yrs old in 1901)
Henry Corless (13yrs old in 1901)
Percy Corless (11yrs old in 1901)

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Ken

[daggers]

A Charles Corless was married in Preston, 1902. Any help?

[Ken Lees]

Thanks Daggers, but unlikely as there was a Charles Corless born and resident in Preston in the 1901 Census. He was born in 1882, so he's probably the man you've found.

Thanks again,

Ken

[Ken Lees]

Found them!

Mistranscribed as "Carless", living at the same address, 132, Hartnup Street! I had looked at the wrong house on the 1901 and not seen them a few doors away.

Anyway, at least I know now. Another lesson learned - check, then check again.

Ken