Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Roscommon Connection

[Bruce Haig]

I am wondering if it is common knowledge that Roscommon was the birthplace of the first commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Sir George Arthur French. I found a listing of famous Roscommon people on the County Roscommon Heritage Site but no mention of him. The Mounties are known the world over and it would seem there is a tourism connection here that you are missing. I am going to be in Roscommon next month and would like to get some pictures of any links to him - such as where he was born in 1841 etc.This is the 125 anniversary of the formation of the RCMP and there is quite a big celebration in Canada. If you would be interested in talking further on the subject please email me. <p>
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<ul><li><a href="http://www.ourheritage.net">Our Heritage</a></ul>
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haigba@uleth.ca

[John]

I believe Sir George Arthur French was from the family that gave their name to Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon. <p>The family were still in Frenchpark until the 1950's but left and their fine house and demesne eventually deteriorated and was later demolished. The head of the family held the title Lord de Freyne. There may still be some members of the family left in Roscommon, but I understand Lord de Freyne is based in London and sits in the House of Lords.<p>John
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70630.521@compuserve.com

[Bruce Haig]

More questions come to mind. Where would find a picture of the house and how could I find out if there are any descendents in the area? I work with schools (children aged 6 to 12) across Canada and have put together a sketchbook of drawings based on French’s leading the Mounties west in 1874. <p>I would like to present the sketchbook to a school in the area and Frenchpark sounds like the spot. What would the population be? And would they have any schools I could contact on the net?<p>
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<ul><li><a href="http://www.ourheritage.net">Our Heritage</a></ul>
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haigba@uleth.ca

[John O'Beirne]

<br>: I am wondering if it is common knowledge that Roscommon was the birthplace of the first commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Sir George Arthur French. I found a listing of famous Roscommon people on the County Roscommon Heritage Site but no mention of him. The Mounties are known the world over and it would seem there is a tourism connection here that you are missing. I am going to be in Roscommon next month and would like to get some pictures of any links to him - such as where he was born in 1841 etc.This is the 125 anniversary of the formation of the RCMP and there is quite a big celebration in Canada. If you would be interested in talking further on the subject please email me. <p>Hi Bruce,<p>Contact Mara French at mara@cadence.com<br>or at FrenchFamilyAssociation@Compuserve.com<p>Tell her I sent ya! <p>
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Tulskone@aol.com