I'm helping a friend with family research, and we'd be very grateful for a little information about R.I.C. records.
JAMES JOYCE joined the RIC aged ca 16. He was born ca 1837 in Co. Mayo, to a PATRICK JOYCE, Farmer (marriage record of James). Unfortunately, no idea as to his mother's name. James children were baptised in Ardmore, Co. Waterford, but no relatives seem to have acted as godparents. He later lived in Limerick. We've located a couple of baptism records for a James Joyce, born to a Patrick, ca 1837, Mayo, (Rootsireland) but it's impossible to pinpoint 'our' James, with zero knowledge of his mother's name.
Our query, does anyone know if the RIC recorded the names of their member's parents? Thank you for any information or suggestions. I've found Irelandxo has always been so helpful:-)
Best Wishes
Davern
Tuesday 22nd Aug 2023, 08:12PMMessage Board Replies
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Minimum age for joining the RIC was 19. Reduced to 18 if the person’s father had been a member of the force.
The personnel records don’t routinely contain parents names. Simply the county of birth and the person who recommended them. That was often the local police Inspector or an important member of the community eg a magistrate or significant business person. So if you can identify the person who recommended them from RIC records you may be able to narrow the search to a particular part of Mayo.
RIC personnel couldn’t marry till they had served 7 years in the force and they never normally served in any county where they or their wife had family connections.
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Wednesday 23rd Aug 2023, 09:06AM -
Davern,
To add to the information provided by Elwyn, if the person concerned has not requested this information from his wife's family already, it should be considered. Often times the in-laws are more aware of family connections that the direct relatives. In many cases, the family of an RIC man did not know his occupation.
Regards,
McCoy
Wednesday 23rd Aug 2023, 10:38AM -
P.S. Have just received information that JAMES JOYCE, Service Number 11237, joined the RIC in 1848, aged 19;so his year of birth would be ca 1829. He was a Labourer at that time and was recommended to join by T.C. McDonald JP. Unfortunately, his mother's name isn't mentioned, only that of his father. This information is from an RIC General Register. Maybe checking-out T.C. McDonald JP will bring us closer to finding the area that James' family came from, and could narrow down who his parents are. Thank you.
Davern
Wednesday 23rd Aug 2023, 10:48AM -
Thank you so much Elwyn + McCoy:-) I didn't get notifications of your replies;maybe they will come into my e-mail box later in the day.
You were correct Elwyn...minimum age to join was 19. I got mixed-up re the name of James' father;it's on his marriage record, not the RIC register. And we'll now try track down the person who recommended James to join.
Interesting too the information you both gave re marriage, and family often not knowing their relative's occupation! Have passed this on to my friend. James was her gr grandfather. Once again, Ireland xo members have been a great help. I am very grateful.
Regards
Davern
Wednesday 23rd Aug 2023, 11:07AM