When is a Record not a Record?

We all come up against difficulties in our research. After many years, I thought I had seen it all.

Recently I was tracking a birth from 1879 in a rural parish of Co Cork.

I obtained the civil birth certificate. Name, dates, address etc. all correct. I was then curious enough to try to locate the baptism. One to five 5 days after the birth, I should find him easy enough. No sign of him!

I then thought to myself that perhaps the informant was confused. I checked further back,4 days prior to the birth I thought I had found him. Much to my amazement, instead of seeing a Michael, I saw Bridget! Same parents and  same address.  

I had a Michael with  a birth cert. but no baptism. I had a Bridget's baptism with no birth cert. What would you go for? They are both official records.

I had spent a number of days researching, I have now proved Michael in 1879 beyond doubt.

The Priest must have made a mistake. Most people think of a couple baptising their child one or two days after the birth in the local church.

1. The mother wouldn't be there, There was a tradition of the Mother not attending church for a month. The church gave the mother a "special blessing" after the month. Basically the church thought her as "unclean",

2. Many children were baptised at home. If the child was weak, and there was a chance the baby wouldn't make it, it was common that the woman delivering the baby could baptise the child. 

The notes of the baptims of those baptised at home might have been kept and then added into the register at a later stage. I believe this is where the mistake was made.

I did think of different scenarios, including twins. One registered and one not, also one baptised the other not. That was too unlikely.

I'm happy enough now that I have found Michael. Michael appears with family members in the 1901 census, I obtained all details from his marriage certificate and I know where he was buried.

The only reference to a Bridget is the baptism, which I now know  is incorrect.

All of the above goes to show that more than the one record is needed if possible. No matter how unlikely the scenario. 

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Cork Parish Records

St Mary's & St Anne's RC Cathedral (The North Cathedral) is situated on the northside of Cork City.

The records available are from the 1700's to c1900 - baptisms & marriages. These records amount to hundreds of thousands in number.

These records are not available online. 

If anyone would like me to search these records I will gladly do so. I would only ask for a small amount to cover travel costs.

The link to email me is below.



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Death Records in Irish Parish Registers.

I am listing Irish Parish Registers that contain death records. I will also add same for confirmations.

Stamullen, Co Meath, deaths are available Jan. 1834 - June 1873.

Rathnure & Templeudigan, Co Wexford, deaths are available October 1846 - October 1880. They also have confirmations 1853 - 1875.

Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Deaths - 1815 - 1880 name and age in early years, address is recorded much later. 

 Adamstown, Co Wexford, Deaths - Sept. 1823 - Jan. 1832. 

This is an ongoing project. Email me! click here

Teeling

I have begun to research the Teeling surname for Co's Meath & Dublin. Hopefully I will find a connection to the Teeling's of Co Dublin. Particularly the people at  Teeling Whiskey of Dublin. One of the world's greatest producers of Irish Whiskey.

I have begun a database of all Teeling baptisms and/or births from Meath and Dublin. Obviously this is a long term project. If anyone has any records of same, I would be delighted to hear from you.

A family headstone giving details of some of my Teeling's.

Here are two Teeling baptisms from Co. Meath.

Christopher Teeling bap. 2-5-1845 Parish of Curraha, Co. Meath. Parents James Teeling & Catherine Sherry. sponsors - Peter Mathews & Jane Sherry.

Peter Teeling bap. 29-6-1835 Parish of Bohermeen, Co Meath. Parents Edward Teeling & Judith Duffy. sponsors - Richard Clare & Anne Monaghan.

I will update in the future on my progress.

(c) Kevin McCormack.




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