Mysterious half brother #2: Hendry McMun, Galashiels

[killearnan]

So I went ahead and ordered the record for Henry McMun (it only seemed to take forever to cross the ocean........) -- and it is fascinating.

Highlights of his record:
Enlisted in what looks like the 71st Highland Light Infantry/Regiment of Foot in 1818 at the age of 18. Says he's a weaver born in Barony (Glasgow).

He's assigned to the Stirlingshire Militia later in 1818, then rejoins the 71st from 1822 to 1828.

He deserted on 8 Nov. 1830 but it looks like he rejoined the same day. Gets a pay/service deduction and a couple months in prison for it. In 1837, he gets former service (and pay!) restored for good conduct by a secretary of war letter dated 15 July 1837. The letter mentions him and a Private George Gifford who deserted on the the same day.

Served 11 years 4 months in Canada (hospitalized in Lower Canada) and 2 years 10 months in Bermuda.

Discharge processed 14 June 1842 in Montreal, effective 13 Sept. 1842. It is prompted by several hospitalizations for fever and paralysis in St. Johns, Canada, in 1841 and 1842.

Barely legible pencil entry on the first page says Intends to reside at Peebles, Scotland, which is where I found him in the 1851 census.

So I'm hoping those who have more experience with British military records can point me towards what (if anything) I can do next, since I'm not finding any McMuns in Barony to connect him to More at Kew? Regimental resources? Other ideas?

Many, many thanks!
BJ

[DavidWW]

Checking the thread, my first reaction was to look for his half-brother's death.

Listed as a half brother to William KEDDIE in 1851, they must share a mother !

But William's death register entry only shows the name of his father.......


Is there nothing at all on the papers so far from Kew re a next-of-kin?

The next step is to see if there are any pension papers in the WO121 series, but you'll probably have to get a professionall researcher to check, but there's only an outside chance of helpful information.

My only other thoughts are, - the local MIs; and, just possibly, the local paper for an entry along the lines of "Old Soldier Dies: Local resident Hendry McMun, son of ..............."

David

David

[killearnan]

Checking the thread, my first reaction was to look for his half-brother's death.

Listed as a half brother to William KEDDIE in 1851, they must share a mother !

But William's death register entry only shows the name of his father.......

His mother was Margaret Donald; she evidently died before the 1851 census. But Peter Keddie and Margaret Donald had children (incl. William about 1801) about the same time that Henry was born (1799/1800, to be 18 in May 1818).

So I'm guessing that Henry was actually related to Mary Brown, as I've found much less on her, plus she's several years younger than William, leaving room for one of her parents to have had a child.

Or the relationship is wrong.......

Is there nothing at all on the papers so far from Kew re a next-of-kin?

Nope - just the note about intends to reside in Peebles.

The next step is to see if there are any pension papers in the WO121 series, but you'll probably have to get a professionall researcher to check, but there's only an outside chance of helpful information.

My only other thoughts are, - the local MIs; and, just possibly, the local paper for an entry along the lines of "Old Soldier Dies: Local resident Hendry McMun, son of ..............."

I think I'll pursue these other angles before hiring someone to maybe find more at Kew.

Many thans for your help......British miliary records are new territory for me, so haivng people who know what is available is a wonderful help!

BJ