British Military in Lower Canada in 1830's

[clairhaines]

Hi All,

Does anyone know, or can point me in the right direction to find out what types of regiments etc. were in Lower Canada in the 1930's?

I finally got my convict record for my gggg grandfather John McMullen which states that he was transported to Tasmania from Lower Canada. His crime was a courtmarital for desertion. The date was March 1838.

I have tried the British Archives, but find the site hard to navigate around.

[Cazay]

This one might be helpful but a copy of his trial/court matial record should give all his details.  You would have to engage a researcher and there are some that specialise in military research.  I have no idea of the cost but an email of enquiry would be the first step.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~crossroads/regiments/regiments-infantry.html

I hope you have some luck, it is always exciting finding out about the convicts

Cazay

[clairhaines]

Its like looking for a needle in a haystack.

How do I get his court martial record?? Won't I need to find out his regiment first?

[Rewcastle]

This free book Officers of the British forces in Canada during the war of 1812-15 has a list of British regiments including some Irish and Scottish, but It might be a little too early for you though  

There is also this free book Inventory of the military documents in the Canadian archives on page 5 it mentions court martials 1790-1870 15 vols. Classification C Nos 164-178.  Not sure if it's just Canadian or British as well?
I've just skimmed through the book so there may be more info in the book.

There is also Deserters 1845-70 5 vols. I think this may be a little late for you.  

These books are available to download for free just hold your shift key down and click on pdf.

Perhaps a Canadian rootschatter may be able to help a bit more  

Rewcastle.

[KarenM]

Hi Claire,

Was he tried in Lower Canada or sailed from Lower Canada 

Lower Canada = Quebec
Upper Canada = Ontario

Karen

[Rewcastle]

In the second book on page 38 it says:-  Vol. 173 Courts martial 1838-39 ; 193 pages. Proceedings, returns and correspondence  113 documents. Index of names.
There are 15 volumes from volume 164-178
So i gather you want Canadian records, Inventory of military records, Series C, Vol. 173, Courts martial 1838-39.
As listed in the book 'Inventory of the military documents in the Canadian archives'

Hope this narrows it down a bit 

[Rewcastle]

In the second book on page 38 it says:-  Vol. 173 Courts martial 1838-39 ; 193 pages. Proceedings, returns and correspondence  113 documents. Index of names.
There are 15 volumes from volume 164-178
So i gather you want Canadian records, Inventory of military records, Series C, Vol. 173, Courts martial 1838-39.
As listed in the book 'Inventory of the military documents in the Canadian archives'

Hope this narrows it down a bit 

Sorry my net connections acting up

Rewcastle

[clairhaines]

Thanks for that info will try and find out more about these books.

On his convict record it state

Court Martial 27 June 1838

Marquis of Hastings 18 July 1839.

On this trip, the Marquis of Hastings started in Portsmouth, travelled on to The ship first stopped in Canada arrived at Spithead a stretch of water in
the Eastern Solvent of Great Britain, between the entrance to Portsmouth
Harbor and the Isle of Wight, were they picked up more convicts before then
sailing to VDL.

Arrived Tasmania  23 Jul 1839

[clairhaines]

Just thought I would close this discussion with an update.

I did indeed engage a researcher in the UK. He found and transcribed the court martial documents for me. They were very interesting. I found out that this was indeed the third court martial for my ancestor, and this time the army tatooed the letter D" on his left side and transported him to VDL.

The researcher also dug up pay records from the army, so I can follow where he was stationed in the short time he was in the army.

Well worth the money !!!