My great-grandmother was Catherine Burke from Hollymount, Robeen Parish. She was born c.1865 and I believe she had a sister Mary. She married Patrick Morris from Mayo Abbey in 1892 and had 7-8 children. Sadly, she died very young c.1907 in Mayo Abbey. I am trying to find out more about her, especially the names of her parents. Because the name is so common, I am really stuck. Any ideas on how to take down this brick wall? Many thanks!
bhayes:
I searched the subscription site Roots Ireland and found the church marriage record. Patrick Morris and Catherine Burke were married October 7 1895 in Ballinrobe RC church. I did not find the civil marriage record.
I located the 1901 census and the family was living in Knockaunavilla townland in Mayo civil parish. It appears Patrick was married before because three olders sons were living in the household.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Mayo/Mayo/Knockaunakil…
I located Catherine's November 9 1907 death record and she died delivering a premature child. The record showed she was a widow and interestingly her daughter Anne who was around 12 was the informant. See last record.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…
Patrick Morris died August 20 1907 from double pneumonia. See first record
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…
There were too many Catherine Burke births in Mayo around 1865 in the Hollymount area to confirm the correct record. At a minimum we would need her father's name.
Roger McDonnell
RootsIreland provides a list of baptisms for children of this couple. The second daughter is named Mary Ellen / Ellen. The second son is named Hubert, or at least that is how is name is transcribed. Going by Irish naming patterns, these children were likely named for their maternal grandparents (Catherine's parents).
We found on RootsIreland the birth of a Catherine Burke, born 27 July 1864 in Brownstown, Hollymount District, Mayo. Parents: Hobart Bourke, Mary Bourke.
The name Hubert/Hobart is pretty unusual in Ireland. It is likely these are Catherine's parents.
Other children of Hubert and Mary Bourke, found at RootsIreland. Hubert's name is spelled Hubert, not Hobart.
Bourke Mary 1867 Co. Mayo
Baptism Bourke Sarah 1867 Co. Mayo
Birth Burk Mary 1867 Co. Mayo
Birth Burk Sarah 1867 Co. Mayo
Birth Burke Bridget 1871 Co. Mayo
(Sarah and Mary were twins.)
Thank you SO much for the information ROGER and PATRICIA! You have been so kind to help me. And you are right, Roger. This was Patrick Morris' second marriage. His first wife was Bridget Fahy and she also died young after having many children. My grandmother (Mary Ellen Morris) had told me that her mother died when she was very young. I did not know it was related to childbirth and how sad that it appears she died alone without medical care. I so appreciate the info on Catherine's DOB. I could not find it anywhere online, but I do not have a subscription to RootsIreland so that info is very much appreciated. I think, Patricia, that you are correct with the names of the parents: Hubert and Mary. Hubert was a big name in my family and it is unusual. With the info that you both gave me I will continue to search for the Burke (Bourke) part of the family. Thank you so very much for your help. Barbara
You're most welcome, Barbara. Happy hunting!