Hi All,
I'm trying to unravel my husband's maternal great grandfather! It's been a difficult line as there have been so many "untruths"

It starts with grandmother's marriage cert stating her father was Mark Payne of the Somerset regiment. As grandmother went by a different first name on the cert, I wasn't too sure any of it was correct. But now irishgenealogy.ie have published birth certs I have managed to trace all his children and it appears he definitely did serve in the 40th reg.
Mark Payne was born c1841 co meath (taken from 1901 Irish census), this is the only reference to his age I have.
Married Bridget Booth on 29 Jan 1871, St Mary's RC Church Drogheda, no occupation listed
children:
1. John Thomas born 7 Dec 1871, Duleek, father Mark is listed as a soldier
2. Mark Payne born 1873... not in Ireland died in 1888 age 15.
3. Mary Anne Payne 6 Oct 1876, Duleek, father Mark listed as a pensioner
4. Kate Payne born 3 Apr 1880, Duleek, father Mark listed as a pensioner
children 5-11 all born in Duleek, father Mark is listed as a labourer.
I have all the baptisms bar 2nd son Mark Payne (all godparents do not appear to be related to Mark or Bridget)
I have now found a birth for 2nd son Mark in the GRO Regimental Birth Indices, which I sent off for yesterday to confirm I have the right person.
1873
Mark Payne
place Lucknow
40th regiment
This appears to confirm the connection to the 40th regiment. I cannot find any service record or pension record for Mark Payne with the approx birth of 1841 and so far have not found his birth or death records! I know he was still alive and living in Duleek in 1907 (Fined for being drunk on the streets of Duleek)

where to next..? Hoping to find some kind of service record still exists which can confirm a birth date and place
I will also post this in armed services section
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=757160.msg6071546#msg6071546any thoughts or ideas very welcome.
Thanks
Jenny