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James Kenna - Bridget Moran, Queens Co.

Good afternoon. 

I am looking for more information on my GGgrandparents. I have found information on them via ancestry uk but would like to see if there is anything I have missed.

James kenna was born 26 March 1842 in Ballyadams. To parents James and Anne Kenna.

Bridget Moran was born approx 1842 in Queens county. 

I believe they married in January 1866 in Dublin.

They are in the 1871 England census living in Co. Durham with James being a coal miner. 

They had 2 children, the first John aged 2 born in Esh, Co. Durham. 

The second Margaret aged 1 born 14 January 1870 in Ballickmoyler. 

They had several more children all born in either Durham or Northumberland. 

Would it be common to return to Ireland to give birth in the case of Margaret?  Also what would James likely profession have been, were there coal mines in Laois at that time?

Any info would be appreciated. 

Dave Kenna

DKenna

3 replies

Local volunteer contacted.

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Dave

 

Assume this below is the birth of Margaret Kenna

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_retur…

Marriage entry of the couple.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_re…

 

On both records James Kenna gives his occupation as coal miner as is his fathers occupation on his marriage entry.Address of Margaret birth is Modubay/Modubeagh.  I think.I know it exists as have often heard of it but for some reason cannot seem to find it listed as a townland in Laois.

As regards coal mining there was a thriving coal industry in the general Castlecomer area of Kilkenny,Loais ,Carlow up to some years ago.

 

https://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/environment-geography/physi…

 

As whether someone would return from England to give birth would imagine it to be unusual unless the family were moving home.As they had a child in England, then one in Ireland and more in England perhaps he moved for work.No idea though if this was commonplace.

 

The informants name on Margarets birth entry is John Kenna so perhaps Brigid was staying with a brother in law.Only Kenna on 1901 census for Laois thas a miner is Owen Kenna aged 43 living in Ballylehane near Wolfhill.His address on his marriage in 1883 to Anne Rochford is Modubeagh

 

agha

Hello and thank you so much for the detailed information. 

DKenna

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