Genealogy Chat

Hi, I've just found my great-great-great-great grandfather on the 1851 census listed as a Chelsea Pensioner. Presumably this means he was in an army - what wars were fought prior to 1851? Has anyone got any more info about Chelsea Pensioners? Thank you! Kind regards, Jane.

Hello Jane, you could try contacting the Royal Hospital through their website. They were very helpful when I requested details of my 2xgt grandfather who died there. Vivienne

Jane Wars have been fought as long as people have existed! Chelsea pensioner records are at Kew. If you are lucky you may find that when you go to the National Archives website and type your ancestor's name into the search box it will tell you the correct reference. www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ I found my gt gt grandfather was a Chelsea pensioner on 1851 census and did just that on NA website. I got a photocopy (3 pages) of his record. It told me when and where he'd enlisted, how much he was paid, a physical description, and the medical condition which invalided him out of the army. He was blind in one eye, but as well as receiving a pension he worked as an ag lab, married 3 times and fathered 14 children that I know of! nell

Hope I have as much luck! Thank you both, I'll give your suggestions a try. Thank you Jane

Nell, thank you so much for that suggestion. I have a g-g-g uncle who was a Chelsea out-pensioner. Just went and looked for him on National Archives, and yes, there he is. Wonderful, have ordered the pages. You are a star. Tina

Which part? How do i search Steve

Someone helped me find my Chelsea Pensioner's military record through National Archives and I ordered them online. Worth every penny when I discovered that my Essex Ag Lab had spent 9 years in West Indies during the Napoleonic Wars. Also gave a description of him. I think it cost about £10.

Steve Go to www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ and type relative's name into search box on right hand side of screen. Then click 'Go'. nell

To anyone interested -The online records of Chelsea Pensioners at Kew will only throw up a name if his records are on microfilm and these are very early discharges. There are tens of thousands of others held as original records and so your ancestor's name won't come up in your search. For these you need to know the rough year of discharge - they are boxed according to regiment at first and then in the 1870s onwards much easier as they are catalogued simply as artillery, infantry etc. By rough date I mean a rough decade as they are boxed in about 10 year spans. They are in the series known as WO97. I go regularly - am there this Thurs but am full up. I will be there again in February if anyone wants me to search. If I find them it is 35p per sheet copying charge at Kew and there are often up to 10 sheets or less.Bit cheaper than £10!! Jan

Hi Thanks for all the messages. He doesn't seem to be on TNA website unfortunately, but as Janice said, it might mean a trip down there instead once I find some more information! I don't think he would have been an in-patient at the Hospital so not sure how much info they would have on him. Thanks everyone! Jane

Jane They will have everything on him - a personal description, where served, medical record, disciplinary record. The term then was just used to describe an ex army man who got a pension - nothing else. Jan

Charles II set up the Royal Hospital, Chelsea in 1681 , there was also one begun earlier, in Ireland in 1679. Pension records appear to have started 1702. nell

Lesley Well my gt gt grandfather is listed as Chelsea pensioner and blind in right eye in 1861. 1871-1891 makes no mention of pension or eye, but classes him as an ag lab. Death cert in 1897 describes him as an oxman and army pensioner. nell