Emily Parr
Emily Parr was my Greatgrandmother and there has always been considerable mystery about her origins. She married my GGrandfather Michael Byrne in 1904 in Rathgar. What is fascinating about the marriage certificate is that, her occupation, profession was listed as Lady living in Milltown. Her father listed as George, gentleman, and Lawrence Byrne as Gentle man and Michael as a Gentleman. I know that Michael was a van driver and mechanic, his father worked as a gardener. Family stories about Emily are that she was the daughter of a British soldier, she was born abroad ( either India or somewhere else ), she was illegitimate and didn't acknowledge where she was born. We believe her mother was called Eliza, and my grandparents knew Elizawhen she lived in Milltown, she declared she was a widow. Emily was probably born between 1880 and 1886 no one knows, when she died in 1954, no one could find a birth certificate or any clues as to where she originated. It is known she worked in the laundry in Milltown. Using this information, I found and Emily and Eliza living in Milltown on the 1901 census, it gives Eliza's place of birth as Inchicore and her age as 48, Emily's place of birth is listed as Curragh Camp, Kildare and her age as 17. ( hence the military info I expect) . I haven't traced any birth record around this information. However I have found an Emily Parr born in 1878 in the workhouse (South Dublin Union) her father is listed as George Parr, a servant living in Richmond (possibly the barracks?), Mother is Eliza formerly Callaghan. There are other workhouse entries for an Eliza Parr one of which indicates her occupation as laundress, and wife of soldier. I am unable to find any record of a marriage, birth etc. If anyone can shed any light on this it would be helpful. At present, I am of the opinion, Eliza never married, and Emily is probably the one I have found. Emily never divulged anything about her origin to my grandmother or mother only that her father was probably a soldier. Eliza Parr continued to live in Milltown ad can be found on the 1913 electoral roll. Apparently she died there, but the only Parr death is of an Elizabeth Parr in 1927, laundress who died in the workhouse. Any help suggestions etc would be great.