Sue,
John’s baptism:
The parish register at Kilronan, Co. Roscommon, Ireland records the baptism of John McKenna.
https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632368?locale=en#page/1/mode/1upPage 161 has the baptism of Johannes son of Jacobus McCanna and Maria Kelly on 30th April 1863, residence is Seltannaveeny, Co. Roscommon, Ireland. Translated we have, John son of James McKenna and Mary Kelly. McKennas are known to have resided in the very small townland of Seltannaveeny (my Grandfather visited them in 1917), the local village is Arigna, and the local parish was Kilronan.
John’s service with the Royal Irish Constabulary:
Record 50007 (I looked this up in the local library so don’t have a link).
McKenna, Jno. 19 years old from Co. Roscommon, a laborer. Start date 16th August 1882, finish date 31st October 1886 (4 years and 2 months service). Resigned to emigrate.
John’s service with the Victorian Penal Service:
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/D8F4CED7-F3C5-11E9-AE98-FF93A9D0CEAE?image=159Page 159, Folio 135. Joined the service 15th October 1888, a prison warder and last appointment was Deputy Governor at Pentridge. Birth date is not correct but the document records birth in Ireland, and 4 years and 2 months service with the Royal Irish Constabulary (same as his RIC record). His role as Deputy Governor is known in the family.
Folio 129 of the same document records the penal service of different John McKenna, born in South Melbourne in 1865.
John’s marriage:
https://my.rio.bdm.vic.gov.au/efamily-history/67cd280979fdb513ef2eab0f/record/5c6552964aba80ac310ba721?q=efamily&givenName=Alice&familyName=DARCYThe Victorian registry of births, deaths and marriages records John’s marriage to Alice Darcy on 12th October 1892 at Oakleigh, Melbourne, Victoria. The document (which I have purchased) records that John is a warder, aged 28 years and was born in Kilronan, Co. Roscommon, Ireland to parents James McKenna and Mary Kelly.
Clemans
