Royal Irish Constabulary The Irish Constabulary was established in 1822, and became the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) in 1867. Both were armed, paramilitary forces whose members were stationed around Ireland and were responsible for, among other things, gathering intelligence, enforcing civil law and acting as census enumerators. Approximately 85,000 men served between 1816 and the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922. Every man who joined, or attempted to join, the RIC has a service record. These are housed in the Public Record Office in Kew, England and at the National Archives in Dublin and the PRONI in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Men are listed by year of appointment to the force. RIC recruits served in a county other than their home county and had to serve 7 years before marriage. They then transferred to another county. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Family History Centres have the records available on films #852,088 to #853,097 and #856,057 to #856,069. The index is on films #852,096 - #852,097. The Irish Times at URL http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0818/1218868020689.html reports (August 19, 2008) that the records of more than 80,000 of these officers are been made available online on the subscription service www.Ancestry.co.uk. The registers normally give: ? full name; ? age; ? height; ? religious affiliation; ? native county; ? trade or calling; ? marital status; ? native county of wife; ? date of appointment; ? counties in which the man served; ? length of service; and ? date of retirement and/or death. The name of a wife is not given, nor any information about parents. References "The Royal Irish Constabulary - A Short History & Genealogical Guide" ISBN 1-85182- 343-3 published August 1997, reprinted October 1997 and February 2000 "The Royal Irish Constabulary - A Complete Alphabetical List of Officers and Men, 1816-1922" ISBN 1-85182-502-9 published November 1999 and reprinted July 2000. Liam "A bird in the bush is worth two in the cat"