Genealogy Chat

Hi, I'd really appreciate any help on this one. Contacted the Gurkha Museum in Winchester and discovered ancestor listed. But not with same middle initial. So am thinking must be a generation further back. Birth year approx 1835, was a Captain in 1858 & by 1865 he was Lietenant-Colonel. So don't think this could be him in his 30's. But could be his father, taking me back another generation. Don't know where else to look. Any help really really appreciated Looby Loo

Many items for high ranking officers in The Times newspaper. (promotions, obits etc) If you could post his (or their!) name(s), I could take a look. Sarah

HI,IF YOUR ANCESTOR,DIED IN THE ARMY ,you could google search officers died, great site,hope this helps you,tony

Hi Sarah, Thanks for the offer. Gt Gt Grandfather's name William Henry or Harry Baker Gt Gt Gt Grandfathers's name William T Baker (sorry don't know what the T stands for). All I know for definate is that William H Baker had a son named Joseph Samuel Baker on census records birth address states SEA. Thanks Sandra

Nothing showed itself in The Times straight off, so...... I'm going to have to leave this one until tomorrow. Am actually going OUT this evening lol (can't remember when last time was??? Last year I think lol) Perhaps you could confirm which one of them was born in 1835? Thanks for making the search on some really rare names lol 'William' 'Henry' and Baker' Hahahahaha!!! Will have another bash tomorrow as long as I don't have a hangover! Sarah

It's a mystery - I've spent some time looking at The Times stuff for your Bakers with no luck. The strange thing (to me anyway lol) was that when I had given up, I entered a search for the word 'Gurkha'. I was surprised to see that the first entry for it in the paper was in 1891. Were they called something else before then? I had ignored all the Lieut. Col. Baker's I had seen because they all (appeared to) belong to the wrong regiments, but now I'm wondering.................. Sarah

Hi Sarah, thanks so much for your help. I received copy papers from the Gurkha Museum and noticed the spelling on one of the sheets as 'Goorkha'. On this paper it mentions 'Extra Goorkha Regiment with Captain WT Baker 60th NI, (Native Infantry) 6th Aug 858 Commandant. If any of that makes sense to you. I guess the 858 should read 1858. The museum also wrote on another copied sheet 4th Gurkha Rifles Regimental History. On this sheet it's spelt Gurkha and discussed October 1858 was the Extra Goorka Regiment being entirely seperate and self supporting unit, Captain W T Baker was placed in command. That's all I have really. Hope to hear from you soon, Kind Regards and thanks again, Sandra

Hi Tony, Thanks for the info. I tried the site and your right it's a great site, no luck so far, but will keep at it. Thanks again, Sandra

Hi again, I've just been doing a search for Goorkha (and various variables on that theme!) and Baker. I didn't cloud things by including any rank or initials, so there were more items to look at......but - there doesn't seem to be anything reported in the paper regarding either of these men. it is very strange. - I really can't understand it! You were right that Goorkha was the prefered spelling for the earlier dates. What I can't understand is that generally all officers promotions were in the paper, or so I thought. Maybe they didn't concern themselves with the 'Indian' regiments in the London Gazette???? (it's the Gazette entries that are duplicated in The Times) Sorry I couldn't help - I feel very cross about not being able to! Ggrrrr!! Best Wishes Sarah

HI Sarah, Don't worry and thank you so much for your effort. I noticed another thread offering help in regards to India so have posed request on that yesterday, hope I didn't offend you, but knew it would be a hard task as I still can't find my gt grandfather's birth records anywhere let alone his father etc. I really have appreciated your efforts. Kind Regards Sandra