85th Regiment in Fulwood 1851 census

[kazdez]

I have a 3rd great grandfather, who is showing on the 1851 Census, for Fulwood, Lancashire and listed as Soldier 85th Regiment.
He had a daughter age one yr, who was born in Ireland as was he and his wife.
I am trying to find out where the 85th went to after 1851, and the daughter is listed with deceased parents when she came out by ship in 1866.
Did men sign up for short periods, or did the Regiment  move around.
I cannot find any mention of the regiment in the 1861 census.
Any suggestions or pointers would be gratefully accepted.
Regards Karen

[ShaunJ]

Hi Kasdez, and welcome to Rootschat.

The 85th was posted to Mauritius in 1853 and South Africa in 1856 before returning home in 1863.

If you can give us your soldier's name, and his wife's name, we'll see if we can find anything.

[kazdez]

Thank you ShaunJ,
This has been something that has been a mystery to me about the 85th for years.  To know that they were depolyed to other areas, says a lot.  Did their families travel with them?
My ancestor, is William Toland, his wife, Catherine, and daughter, Rose Ann.
Did any records pertaining to the soldiers and their family, get recorded in public records or only in the military records.
Thank you for help

[ShaunJ]

His army records haven't survived and he doesn't appear on the 1861 British Army "index" so was likely discharged or died before then. All I have been able to find (from the 1851 index) is his regimental number (2404).

And yes some families did travel with the troops.

[kazdez]

ShaunJ,
Thank you for your answer.  I will still have to did  around.  They were definitely deceased prior to 1866, when their daughter was sent to live with an uncle in Australia.  On her shipping list, she is listed as coming from Holytown in Lanarkshire, so possible family there. So the search will continue in Scotland for now.  Thanks again.