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Byrne of Dungarvan

Trying to find information for Daniel Byrne. Daniel married Bridget Hogan at Dungarvan Co. Waterford in 1876, his father’s name was recorded as John Byrne and both men were identified as sailors. Daniel and Bridget had three children in Dungarvan; Anna, John, and Mary with all being born at Buttery Lane in Dungarvan between 1877-1883. Daniel with wife and two children (Anna died a child from scarlet fever) emigrated to America where he died in 1926. Various records filed by Daniel list his birth between 1844 and 1856 in either Co. Cork or Co. Waterford. A strange entry of Shrove Tuesday 1856 was made on his naturalization papers in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
His death certificate in Boston Massachusetts lists his father as John, other information is suspect since his daughter Mary, the informant, recorded her husband John Barry’s mothers name as Daniel’s mother, she reported that Daniel had never married, and that he was born in 1863. 
I believe John Byrne was alive in 1877 because he was not listed as dead on the 1876 marriage certificate for Daniel and Bridget and he was present for the birth of Anna.

Any ideas for either Daniel or John would be much appreciate.

Billburns1308

5 replies

Bill,

On the paid site, Roots Ireland, I found Daniel's baptismal record and his parent's marriage record. They are as follows:

Daniel Byrne (10 Jul 1844), residence - Buttery, RC parish of Dungarven, parents - John Byrne & Margaret Hurley, sponsors - Timothy Downey & Ann Arnold

His siblings include Honor (1846), Mary (1849), and Michael (1854)

John Byrned & Margaret Hurley, married on 13 Aug 1843, her residence is given as Buttery, Dungarvan, no residence given for John, witnesses - Michael Devine & Honor Foley. Marriage took place in St. Mary's , Dungarvan.

Regards,

carolyntoohey@…

Bill,

One more sibling to Daniel - Margaret (1858).

 

carolyntoohey@…

Carolyn, thank you for the information I really appreciate it. Do you have any thoughts on why Daniel would have recorded Shrove Tuesday as a birth date? this would have put the birth in February or March depending on the year.

Billburns1308

Bill,

Back in the mid 19th century people did not celebrate or remember their birth dates like we do today. Did he really write the words "shrove Tuesday" on his naturalization papers? That is not a fixed date or even month as you know, so yes, it is rather odd to do that. The year he gave is off by 12 years as well. Many immigrants purposely made themselves younger or older depending on their circumstances - for employment, ticket cost was lower if under 18 years, etc...I have relations from one sibling group of four that all made themselves 10 to 15 years younger when they came to the US. Daniel probably just picked a date he could remember and stuck with it. In my own family research, there are many many folks born on January 1st....I believe not their real birth date, rather just a date they could recall easily.

Regards,

carolyntoohey@…

That makes sense. Yes he did enter Shrove Tuesday, he also entered birth in Co. Cork but I believe this was in error to a question where he was from since his family all left from Cobh. I had thought it was made-up since without exception every person he associated with was from Dungarvan. Thank you. All my best.

bill

Billburns1308

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