James Neill (1820's) - 36th Regiment of foot

[Neill81]

Good afternoon everyone

I have just joined this website as I am trying to fill in some missing blanks in my family tree and was hoping I would be able to find some help.

I have traced my great x 4 grandfather to a James Neill who was in the British Army. His regiment is noted on his wife's and sons death certificate as being the 36th regiment of foot. Although, I also found his wedding record which notes that he got married in 1818, in Edinburgh. this document states him being in the 74th regiment of foot.

James is sometimes referred to as Neill / O'Neill or O'Neal which I believe is quite common to have these variations. He had 3 sons called Charles, John and William who were born in Ireland between 1827 - 1830. A basic google search has revealed that the 36th regiment was based in Ireland during this time which would explain why the boys were born here.

I would love to establish whether James was Scottish or Irish, how and where he died and if possible, details of his parents.

James's wife was called Helen (sometimes noted as Ellen) and she re-married in 1837 in Scotland and took the 3 boys with her. I have assumed that James died sometime between 1830 - 1836.

I was hoping that someone could help me track down more info on James with regards to military records.

I have tried the ancestry website / Scotland's people / find my past / and the forces archives but without much success.

Anyway, If anyone is able to help, it would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

Michael

[gortonboy]

One of the son's birth records?

First name(s) John
Last name O'Neil
Sex Male
Birth year 1829
Place Birr
Country Ireland
Type Armed Forces
Regiment 36th Foot
Archive General Register Office
Source Gro Regimental Birth Indices (1761 To 1924)
Record's year range 1829
Volume 13
Page 41
Line number 5
Archive reference REG1
Record set British Armed Forces And Overseas Births And Baptisms

[Neill81]

Thanks very much for your post and research.

John'ONeil is my great x 3 grandfather - I found census records which said he was born in Ireland but did not know it was in Birr.

How were you able to get that information? Hopefully I can found out more about James.

Thanks again, your help is much appreciated.

[gortonboy]

As you can see by the post....the birth is from the GRO regimental birth index. I found it on findmypast. The certificate could be ordered from the GRO in the UK.

[gortonboy]

I couldn't find any record of the other two siblings.

[gortonboy]

If James died whilst in service..I'm afraid his military records would most likely have been destroyed.

[Neill81]

Okay thanks - I have actually just been looking at Find my past (without much luck) but will keep looking.

Many thanks for your help.