Great Grandfather

This newspaper report shows another line of my ancestry in Wales where my Great Grandfather thankfully missed the Cilfynydd mining disaster which claimed the lives of well over 200 men and boys. Also where he rescued two miners at Llanbradach. (I spoke to a relative of one of them)

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Marriage cert. Co Louth

For those that haven't obtained a birth,marriage or death cert. This is from Co Louth 1900 ....civil registration for R.C.'s began in 1864 and civil registration for Protestant marriages began in 1845.
If anyone needs a further example let me know. Email me! click here

Great Grand Aunt

This is my Great Grand Aunt Margaret McCormack. See the court case blog that I posted in May. Email me! click here

Headstones

With Irish records we rely on mainly parish records and birth , marriage and death registration, There are valuation records too which give limited information.We also have memorial inscriptions but of course these are limited.
I hit the jackpot on the latter as I found the headstones (pictured above) whch included my Gx2 Gx3 and Gx4 Grandparents. I do not expect to make such a find in my ancestry again!
One has to allow for transcription errors and of course the ages might be a couple of years out.
The following transcription is for the headsone on the left and anything I add will be in a smaller font. 

McKENNA.

Erected by James and Mary McKenna (my Gx2) of Dunleer , in memory of their beloved son Owen who died 8th Feby, 1852 aged 2 years. Also the above James who departed this liife 27th Jany. 1861 aged 49 years. And also the above Mary McKenna his wife who departed this life 14th January 1875 aged 45 years and Michael McKenna son of the above named died 30th July 1914 aged 57 years. (Michael McKenna met Charles S. Parnell as part of delegation in Dunleer)  And also his wife Anna McKenna who died 27th May 1916 aged 55 years.
Requiescant in Pace.

I shall add details of the other headstone at a later date. Email me! click here

1905 letter

This letter is a photocopy of one of the earliest letters that I have regarding Florence Lock. (see an earlier blog) I have over 30 letters and they certainly give an insight into the life of Florence.
The letters exchanged certainly went against what I expected to find on a children's home that kept in touch with genuine concern for a young woman from the age of 20 through to the time she was 24. (1905-1909)
I advise anyone who had an ancestor in a workhouse, industrial school or children's home to attempt to obtain records....like myself you might be surprised. Email me! click here

Gx2 entry from the marriage register

The first entry is the marriage of my Gx2 Grandparents Arthur Savage (also Savidge) and Catherine Teeling 11th Aug 1862 that took place in Co Meath. Email me! click here

Ireland to the U.S.A.

In the 1860's a sister to my great grandfather left Ireland with her husband and several children for New York.I had seen them in the censuses but other than that knew nothing. This piece is about one of the children that was born in New York.
George Brannigan was born on the 4th of July 1871 (quite rightly too) and was baptised on the 9th of July 1871 at St Columba's Church, 343 West 25th Street, Manhattan, New York City.
George was educated at Seton Hall, South Orange, New Jersey (record states NY) & a college and seminary in Maryland.
George was ordained a priest on the 23rd December 1899 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Rev. Brannigan then served in Ohio from 1900 to his death in 1941.He served in 6 different parishes including Cleveland and his final parish in Toledo.
I received much of this information from a nun who is the archivist of the Diocese where George served. This shows you really do have to put yourself out there for the information.
Of course obtaining a photo of my Grandfather's cousin was a bonus and of such good quality too.
George died on the 4th Dec. 1941 aged 70. Email me! click here

Griffiths Valuation

Most researchers with an Irish interest would know of the Griffiths Valuation from the mid 1800's. I believe many are unaware of the fact that you are able to track the same property through the subsequent years.
Some months ago I was in Dublin looking up some of my ancestors in valuation records ( also looking a few others  for fellow researchers) and found some very interesting facts.
What with parish registers and gut instinct I had always suspected that my Gx2 Grandfather had moved from one parish to another in the same county though I could not prove it.
Checking the Griffiths valuation I of course had a name but the name wasn't the most uncommon of names.
When checking subsequent valuation records I was able to see who took over from the property (1870's) which fitted in exactly to when he would of moved to a town a few miles away.It did help that I knew he was a publican.....what is interesting about these records is if the family stayed on the land for a couple of generations (at least) this shows a researcher who exactly lived here. These records go forward as far as 1977. (head of household only)
It can be expensive to research these records and for the first time researcher quite confusing (colour coded) but after an hour or so you get used to it.
I recommend to those that have their ancestors in the Griffiths to take that extra step.
Always here to help. Email me! click here

Linking Irish baptisms to marriages abroad.

While looking through many baptism registers (usually post 1880) in the margin there can be  an entry of marriage.
This is recorded when a "letter of freedom" is sought by the Parish that is conducting the marriage.....this practice started from 1907. 
I'll give an example here-

Baptism  Togher Co Louth 11-06-1881 Tarsney Charles  Wyanstown Parents -  Tarsney,James &O'Connor sponsors-Catherine & Owen Kelly. Charles later married 26-06-1910 at the  Ch Of St Antony Of Padua Brooklyn N Y, U.S.A.

This practice was brought in to help prevent cases of bigamy.

A pity the priest conducting the  marriage didn't record the baptism to make things that little easier. This practice was brought in to help prevent cases of bigamy. Email me! click here

Parish entry from 1772 which shows the marriage of my Gx4 Grandparents. The marriage took place in Co Louth. A lot of researchers believe Ireland lacks records....... it's the  not knowing of where they came from is the problem. Email me! click here

Children's Homes

Though this has no Irish connection I thought I would add as it shows it is possible to obtain more than names and dates from industrial schools, orphanages, workhouses etc.

This relates to Florence a sister to a direct ancestor of mine who was in Wales and went to a children's home in London after leaving an Industrial school in Wales. (I obtained around 35 letters and much more.

(Mr Carnegie of the Children's Home......the Home kept in touch for a number of years)

Nov 1907 ( A letter from Florence Lock to Mr Carnegie)

c/o Mrs Clare

44 South Street

Eastbourne

Mr Carnegie

Dear Sir,

Am very sorry I have not answered your letters before but have not be very well since I returned . I think I must have taken a chill when I was away but am better now. You asked me to write and give you a full account of how all the trouble arose but as you have heard from Mr Clare I don’t think it necessary for me to say anything further about it, but I don’t think Mr Clare had any need to shake me about and put me out just as I was as he did so I went to get another place that I could go to that night so that is how I came to go to the Hotel. I was only there from Saturday till Tuesday and I was out for the evening on Tuesday and called at Mrs Clare’s to ask for my washing which I had left behind but they said they were going to send it to the home but I told them I wanted it so they let me go in and get it. So they asked me some questions about the other place and I told them it was a most undesirable place for me and I was not staying so Mrs Clare asked me if I would go back so I said I would but it will depend on how things go on this month wheather  I stay or not and I am doing my best as I must truly say I should have been very sorry to leave them after all this time I have been with them just on three years now and they were very nice to me. Mistress looked after me when I was in bed so well, they had the doctor to me and master used to get my medicine for me so it was fortunate I was with them but I was very sorry because it was all more trouble to them so it was very kind of them to do it so now it is only my duty to do all I can for them.

Perhaps I acted unwisely but what was I to do when I was turned out like I was and now nobody or anything  about the place I was very sorry it all happened but I think it has made me more careful in what I say and do.

I got your letter the same morning I went over to Pevensey for my box so I was very pleased to get it. I must say I think your letters do me a lot of good whatever you advise me to then I cant go wrong .I think I must stop now as I have to go and do supper hope you have a good report from Mr Clare at the end of the month of course I shall have little troubles wherever I go so must put up with them. Will you please remember me to Mrs Carnegie hoping you are both keeping well also the baby.

I remain

Yours sincerely

F. Lock (added here in bolder ink 3280.……her number from the Children’s Home)

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Parish entry from 1851 Co Louth, Ireland. Email me! click here