Genealogy Chat

I have found a Balclava Marsh age 10 residing in the Royal Military Asylum, Chelsea in the 1891 Census. Can anyone tell me if it was a Military Acadamy, a Hospital, a Workhouse or actually an Asylum. Seems to be run by military personnel. Tried to look up on Net and gave all those places. Can anyone help please. Am unable to find this chap in the 1901 Census. Mo

Mo Have you had a look at the census image? I have been wondeing if the age should be 70 and not 10. or is there and family with this person if they are 10?

By googling I found that it was : 'At first, the institution was intended both for boys and girls, and both were admitted freely; but it is long since the Asylum has been reserved for boys only. As stated in the original regulations, the institution was intended for, '1st', Orphans. 2nd, those whose fathers have been killed on foreign service. 3rd. those who have lost their mothers, and whose fathers are absent on duty abroad; and 4th, those whose fathers are ordered on foreign service, or whose parents have other children to maintain. These regulations have since been extended to admit the children of pensioners of long service and good conduct. Children, according to the original regulations were admitted at ' the earliest age for nurture, and into the Asylum from four years till twelve years, being discharged at fourteen years.' nell

Lunar and Nell. Thanks for answers. Balaclava was definitely 10 years old. The inmates I saw on Census were age between 10 and 17. Seemed to be military personnel in charge. Thanks Nell - you found more than me. Balaclava's father died in 1883 after being a pensioner from the Crimea (hence the boys name - most of the chldren had Crimea names). The father continually lied about his age throughout his life and I believe he was about 20 years older than his wife. So, either she couldn't manage the boy herself OR I faintly remember my mother saying that one boy in the family ran away from home to the military and war and my grandfather (his much older brother) had to go to Ireland and fetch him back as he had lied about his age to enlist. Perhaps Balaclava was the boy in question. It fits because there were enough in the family to look after him. Wonder what had happened to him by 1901. Probably the Boer War with my Grandfather. Thanks. Mo.

Hi Maureen I found a relative of mine in the same institution. They have a website, www(.)dyrmsoba(.)org Remove brackets. My relative was put after his mother remarried, he was only 10. I think theirs fathers have to be deceased ex-army personnel. Keith

Keith. Thanks. Will definitely look at this site. Mo

Maureen I found a few sites - when I google I always put the term I'm looking for in inverted commas - ie 'Royal military asylum' that way you only get hits that have those 3 words all together. Without the '' you get any site that has all 3 words in it, not necessarily together. nell

Sarah. Thanks. I never thought of looking there. Mo

Keith. Looked at that site. Flippin marvellous. Unfortunately name index only went up to 1880. Also the RMA part is under reconstruction until Aug. Mailed someone to do a search for me - we have to wait and see!! Still, very informative and something others should know about. I struggled with this place for over 6 months. Thanks. Mo

For all those that kindly gave me help on my past query regarding the Royal Military Asylum - my thanks. I was finally advised to write to the Bursur of the RMA giving details. Today he has replied and the information and copy documents he has supplied has not only answered ALL my questions but also given almost full details of the pupils father regarding army service, duty and medals. I congratulate Mr R Say on his regard and understanding for Family History Research. I found that my G Grandfather did 23years in the military - enlisting in 1835. Again, thanks to those that put me on the right path. Maureen