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Archiver > Scotch-Irish > 1999-02 > 0919604040


From: "Edward Andrews" <>
Subject: Re: Military History
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 13:43:34 0


> I have thought of something that might be a good genealogical area of
> research. Has anyone looked into this:
>
> In many countries during the last century and earlier it was possible for a
> person joining the army to have some choice into which regiment to enlist.
> I was wondering if in Ireland and Scotland if members of the same families
> or clans tended to join the same regiments. For instance, would a Ross join
> something like the Black Watch Regiment because 15 cousins were in that
> outfit? Would a Merle join the Royal Irish Fusiliers because he had three
> brothers already belonging?
>
> If this was the case, researching military records and muster rolls might
> turn up a lot of relatives in one small area, so to speak.
>
> Has anyone researched this area? Does anyone know of any books that might
> deal with this subject and hopefully contain name lists?

This idea is perfectly sound. British Regiments had - and still have
a recruiting area. Thus if someone is from Edinburgh they will join
the Royal Scots.
This of course breaks down with the Corps, which recruited all
over. It also has problems that areas did not stay constant. For
example the KOSB's recruit in Lanarkshire where once it was the
Cameronians. A couple of weeks ago I was involved in a family where
all 5 sons were in the KOSB.
Edward Andrews
St Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church Dalkeith, Midlothian Scotland
Visit our Web site http://www.btinternet.com/~stnicholas.buccleuch/index.ht

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