Maureen, We have some militia/RIC data online. For what it's worth - I don't see any Kiernans. http://www.rootsweb.com/~irllog/military.htm Christina On Thu, 20 Jan 2005 13:18:18 +1000, saljem wrote: | My James Kiernan and his wife Catherine Lennon had three children, | Mary 1820, James 1822 and Catherine 1826 all native of Co. | Longford. However in 1828 James was caught housebreaking in Co. | westmeath and sentenced to 7 years transportation. On the shipping | indents he is described as soldier guard/labourer. What exactly | does this mean? Was he in the militia? Would the family have been | living in Co. Westmeath or Co. Longford? What would a soldier guard | be doing in Westmeath at this time?