Hi Paul I couldn't find anything for my Royal Marine Light Infantry ancestor 'online' but did find his service records at The National Archives when I visited. There appears to be an issue with the accuracy of the search function. So don't give up just because an online search reveals nothing. Regards Dawn Sent from my iPhone On 21 Jul 2011, at 10:55, Paul Benyon <pbenyon@pbenyon.plus.com> wrote: If you haven't done so already would suggest that you read the National Archives guide on the search for Royal Marine service records: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/rm-other-ranks.htm Since service records for Royal Marines 1842 -1936 can be downloaded from the National Archives : http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/royalmarines.asp and I can find no trace of him it would appear that he probably left the Royal Marines prior to 1842, but you might like to have a look yourself to check I've not made a spelling eror ? I note that the Royal Marine Artillery formed a part of the Royal Marines until 1859, when a division was formed for them. The fact that he spent most of his time at Portsmouth might suggest that he was in the Portsmouth Division, and being as we would probably be off to sea fairly regularly his wife preferred to remain at Chatham where it would appear that her family may have resided ? The importance of knowing which division he served in will hopefully become apparent when you read the guide. Paul On Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:32:04 +0100, "Gene Genie" <gene.genie@talktalk.net> wrote: Hi Listers I have just re-joined this list after several years' absence and still trying to trace my 3 x great grandfather Joseph (Thomas) LONGDON who was a private in the Royal Marine Artillery circa 1815-1850? The only information I have about him is that he was in the RMA @ Chatham in Kent as per his 3 children's baptismal records (his wife was living in Chatham at the time) However, on the baptismal records he is shown as residing in Portsmouth, Hampshire! I know that the Royal Marines have connections with Portsmouth, but why was his wife still in Chatham and the baptisms took place there? The last sighting I have of him is in 1847 in Gravesend, Kent, where on the wedding certificate for his son (Joseph junior) he is shown as a "mariner" On the 1851 census his wife Ann (e) is shown as a widow still living in Chatham where she had resided since 1786. A distant relative has tried searching the Records Office in London for any trace of his RMA records but with no success. I would be grateful for any help or information where I can try next for RMA, mariner, other service records or even place of death, as this has been my blank wall for many years. Many thanks in advance Regards Chris Longdon ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MARINERS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message 50° 33' N, 2° 26' W http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/Naval.html ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MARINERS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message