My great grandfather John Joseph "Jack" Whelan was an R.I.C. Constable based in the Oughterard (Co. Galway) barracksfrom around 1912 until 1921. Jack's lived on Camp Street with his wife Mary Agnes "Mae" and their 8 children - Elsie, Moira, Kathleen, Agnes, Jack, Alice, Pat and Florence Carmel.
I would greatly appreciate any information regarding this family.
Dear Dennis
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out and apologies for the delay in getting back to you.
Are you aware of the Jim Herlihy Book:
The Royal Irish Constabulary by Jim Herlihy (A short History and Genealogical Guide) (1816-1922) by Jim Herlihy.
This is also an interesting site:
http://www.royalirishconstabulary.com/
Best wishes
Clare Doyle
Genealogy Support
Thanks Clare - yes, I have the Herlihy book and I have visited the website. Both were helpful in tracking down the service records of both "Jack" Whelan (my great grandfather) and his father John Whelan who served from 1858-1889 in Co. Westmeath.
I was able to find their records in the National Archives on a visit to Dublin in 2013 (I live in Chicago, USA). However, I am still looking for pension disbursement information for Jack to help discover his whereabouts later in his life.
The family lived in Dublin following Jack's de-mobilisation in 1922 until about 1924. They relocated to the Glasgow area until early 1927 and then emigrated to Albany, NY, USA. Apparently Jack returned to Dublin for the 1932 Eucharistic Congress and did not come back to the US. I believe he died after 1937.
Do you know if more detailed RIC records available at Kew?
Thanks again,
Dennis
Hi Dennis
There are some RIC records in Kew, you can have a look at the links here:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/guide/trade/ric.htm
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/royal-irish-…
Best wishes
Clare