Re: Mysterious Excise Officer in North Devon
I suggest that you browse the Minute Books of the Excise Board - that's how I found an exciseman ancestor - which would involve a visit to TNA. These Minute Books are in the CUST 47 series in the Discovery Catalogue at TNA and are mentioned in one of research guides produced by TNA. You will not be able to view the Minute Books on-line but you will be able to see images of the Index to Names mentioned in the minutes. You will have to search through indexes to the minute books for each of the years when your ancestor was serving. He will be mentioned in the minutes when he is moved from one posting to another. Generally these moves were part of a whole chain of promotions, transfers and appointments. The only way to see what's actually happening to your ancestor would be to go to Kew and look up the original minute, but at least you will have page/volume references which you can research online beforehand.
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