I am looking for family information on the BRAD and HUNT families that lived in the Ross district in 1841-1861 and possibly still reside in the area. I am a descendant of William Brad and Sophia Hunt, who married in 1840 Cheltenham and had one child Sophia Elizabeth born 1840 in Ross, Herefordshire. William joined the European Indian Battalion in 1842 moving his family to India where 2 possibly 3 more children were born. In 1851 the surviving children, Sophia and George were sent to live in Ross with their Hunt grandparents. Between 1851 and 1861 William’s wife Sophia returned to Ross and is listed in the 1861 census as head with George living on Nursery street or road in the Ross parish.

William retired from the military in 1861 serving his full 20 years and was to return to England sometime after April 1861 as a pensioned soldier. This is where I lose William, I believe he returned to his family in Ross and would have collected his pension at the local pay office. I’m not sure if William died returning to England in 1861 or if he died between 1861 and 1871 when his wife Sophia appears in the 1871 census as widowed. Later in 1871 Sophia comes to Canada to meet her son George who immigrated in 1869, they eventually end up in Manitoba where the Brad’s continue to live.

I would like to know if there are any records kept in the Ross district that may indicate William’s return or death, if the records are correct I suspect his death would be between 1861 and 1871. I am also interested in any remaining Brad’s or Hunt’s that may still live in Ross who would be interested in contacting a possible descendant in Canada.

I have recently acquired Williams war records from India and would love to share them or exchange information. If you have any ideas or help in my search for William it would be greatly appreciated.