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Dunseath - another brick wall

My great grandfather Robert James DUNSEATH/DUNSHEATH aka SCULLY, married Mary HOCTOR at St Brendans RC Church in Birr, Offaly on 1 Feb 1865. According to his marriage certificate, his father was James DUNSHEATH or DUNSEETH. On his army records it states that Robert was born about 1838 in Kilmainham. I have never been able to verify this birth as to time or place.From later legal developments when his son William Thomas Dunseath challenged a will of the Antrim Dunseath family, there was indeed a relationship between these families. William T can recall being visited as a child, by a Rev James DUNSEATH and informed he was his uncle! In the court case regarding the will challenge, WTD's rights were excluded in favour of nieces of James DUNSEATH, as it appeared their relationship was closer. It is possible that religion may have formed some of the reason for the denial of those in the north to others further south. I know not and care not, but my father, older brother and I, have spent more that 50 years trying to establish the link with a view to tracing our antecedents further, to no avail. I am the lone survivor who cares about my family, the more so since we now live in NZ and are most unlikely to travel to the other side of the world. I just hate not knowing. If one of your members can shed any light I would be etrnally grateful, and meantime if I can assist anyone with any Kiwi connections would be more than glad to assist.

Aileen

aileenmoxon@ou…

5 replies

Thom's 1848 Ecclesiastical Directory (see attached) shows a James Dunseath as incumbent of Layde Church of Ireland parish County Antrim, Connor Diocese - located on the cost of County Antrim near Cushendun. There are various published details of clergy (e.g. I've seen ones for Dublin Diocese, Ferns, Lismore etc), might be worth checking for one on this Diocese to see uf any family details are noted for this James.

Civil death records show a possible match for a death of this James in 1879 at Coleraine, reported age 79, occupation 'Rector in Church of Ireland', seems reasonably likely the same James. PRONI has a will for this James , unfortunately the only person mentioned seems to be a sister Margaret.

A search of Dublin directories for the 1830s and 40s does not show any promising match for Robert unfortunately, as a Carpenter he is not likely to be listed at that time (later directories do give more details).

A couple of additional details from the marriage - both Robert and Mary seem to be illiterate, as both 'signed' with their mark, Robert's father is shown as a Carpenter, neither of the witnesses seem related, surname are Lyons & Comerford.

In relation to Roberts baptism - the Kilmainham reference is likely the village in West County Dublin, at the time on the edge of the city - the civil parish was St. James, so the in terms of religious parishes either St. James Catholic or St. James Church of Ireland. Records for both these parishes are included on the free IrishGenealogy website, I dont see any sign of Dunseath baptisms in the early 1800s in a search of these.

A nationwide search for early Dunseath Catholic baptisms shows only a small number, none of which are in Dublin city or county or have a father Robert. My suspicion is that this Dunseath family may have been some Protestant denomination, and maybe your Robert converted for the marriage.

Just to note, there are several other places named Kilmainham, e.g. a townland in North County Dublin, a civil parish in County Meath - does the military record specifically state native place as Kilmainham in/near Dublin city ?
 

shanew147IrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you for your efforts. I believe the conversion theory could well be true. It is clear that those in the north had little time for Catholics, which could indicate disapproval of Robert's marriage. Sooo frustrating, I don't want to become pen pals but merely want to complete family data. Oh well, maybe one day ....

But I am very grateful for your time and help.

Aileen

aileenmoxon@ou…

Hi Aileen,  Just wanted to let you know that I have begun researcing your cousin's family tree and will be researching the Dunseath family from Kilmainham, St. James', Dublin.  Your cousin is named Peter Bloxham of Camden, London.  Robert James Dunseath is also his Great Grandfather.  Robert's birth is a mystery to us too at this stage, but I'll update you with any information I find.  AT the moment all I can do is assure you that you're not the lone survivor who cares about your family.  Hopefully I'll update you soon.  James is believed to have risen to the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant in the British army, (probably in the 31st regiment).  Family believe he lived in Ormskirk, U.K. around the 1860s.  There is a death record for a James Dunseath in Liverpool, in September 1852.  Alternative names for James are Dunsheath and Dunseeth.  That's all Ive got for now.  Regards Toby,  On behalf of Peter Bloxham.

myitsso

I should have added that Peter was raised Catholic as it seems relevent to your own investigation.

myitsso

Yes Peter and I grew up fairly close to each other!

aileenmoxon@ou…

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