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Harrison at Curragh Camp

KildareBallysax (Kildare)

Question:  I am looking to obtain information about a relative that may have been stationed at the Curragh Camp approximately between 1845 and 1865.  He may have been at the camp, been stationed in Crimea and returned to the camp.  Any information regarding Henry Harrison, his wife or daughter  or where I can look to obtain info would be greatly appreciated.  I've tried various searches, military records, etc. but cannot find anything but a possible baptismal record for their daughter Martha "Annie" Harrison.  The commonality of his name makes it extremely difficult to verify I have the right person.  I think I'm missing some small piece of info to open the flood gates!  Also, anyone with Horrigan roots, please let me know!  See details below.

Details:

Henry "Harry" Harrison, born approximately 1827 in England.  Died 1877 in Toronto, ON Canada

Married approximately 1861-1862 [I'm guessing in Ireland but could've been in England]

Honora "Nora" Horrigan born 1843 in County Kildare.  Died 1929 in Toronto, ON Canada.

History:

1871 Quebec Census says that he was born in  "Angleterre", French for England.  And that he is Anglican and that his wife Nora was born in Ireland and was Catholic. His profession was noted as "militaire".   His children were listed as follows:

Margaret - 1862 in England

Martha - 1864 in Kildare, Ireland

George - 1866 in Malta

Henry - 1870 in Montreal, QC Canada

Julia - 1873 in Toronto, ON Canada

John - 1876 in Toronto, ON Canada

I suspect he was training at the Curragh, was possibly in the war in Crimea (1854-1856), returned to Curragh where he met his wife Nora.  I suspect they married in Ireland but can find no record.  He must have been stationed in England where they had their first child, then returned to the Curragh.  The 1871 Quebec Census was instrumental to me understanding the history and giving me some clues about his military involvement.  Aside from this census and the possible baptismal for Martha I can find no other record to substantiate the info above.

Any assistance/insights would be greatly appreciated.

Karen

kmcconnell16@o…

2 replies

I located a corresonding civil birth record for Martha which fits with that Curragh Camp Catholic baptism - Martha Anne Harrison born 21st August 1864 Curragh Camp, father Henry Harrison mother Honorah Hogan, father's occupation 'Private, 60th Rifles', he registered the birth on the 20th September, just a couple of days after the baptism.

The place of birth you mentioned for Margaret would suggest to me that the couple may have married in England, and there is a possible match, certainly worth checking into... Henry Harrison and Norah Horgan show a possible match on the England/Wales BMD Index, the year in 1861 3rd quarter, registration distict is Dover and the references Volume 2A, page 1077. A marriage cert from the GRO would show the full details, e.g. place & date of marriage, father's names and occupations, names of witnesses etc

A search for possible births shows a Margaret Harrison born September quarter 1862 and registered in Farnham district - mother's maiden surname is shown as Horgan, references are Volume 02A  Page 65  - you can order births online through the GRO England/Wales website, for delivery by email as PDF files  (Farnham reg. district covers parts of Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex)

Any surviving records for the British Army would have ended up in England, so somewhere like the National Archives UK, or possibly a regimental archive. Some miltary records are available on Ancestry, Fold3 and FIndMyPast (all pay-websites).
 

shanew147IrelandXO Volunteer

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