Kelly/Stewart Family Mystery

Hi,

I think all of the people are correct, even if confusing. I believe that Ellen had two illegitimate (not married) children - Thomas and Richard. On Roots Ireland (paid site), I found a church baptism record for a Richard Graham on 15 May 1892, parents given as Richard Wilson & Elleanora Graham, in Dooran, Inver, Donegal. I believe the civil birth record was reported one week later - your attachment - and he was listed as Graham because they were not married. I could not locate any birth record for Thomas though with Kelly or Stewart as a surname. On your other post you mention Thomas was Kelly in the 1911 marriage record. Then, George Stewart and Ellen Graham married in 1895...one sponsor per Roots Ireland was a Hugh Kelly. They had Violet & George Edward together. Regarding Mary Ellen (1894), it appears she was born prior to their marriage, but I have no clue why George is listed as George Kelly. Ellen reported her birth, so not sure what was happening there. The Ancestry trees I saw have no mention of anyone named Kelly. They list Thomas and Richard as: Thomas Graham(Stewart) and Richard Graham (Stewart). The 1911 census shows George, Ellen, Richard, Mary and Violet living together in Croaghnashallog, Donegal, and George is a farmer. George Edward died in 1907.

Regards,

Hi thank you Carolyn for that information, i found a record for Thomas as Graham in 1887 i was wondering if you were able to find a baptism record for him if possible on roots ireland? his birth was registered in donegal in 1887 so he was abit older than originally thought thank you

i was just wondering how could he of been baptised on the 15th if he was born on the 21st?

Hi,

Roots Ireland only has a civil birth record for him that shows he was born in the Donegal Workhouse on 1 Sep 1887, and the birth was registered with the civil authorities on 13 Sep 1887. The sponsor listed is Francis Graham who was an "occupier" also in the workhouse...this could be some relative of hers. Occupier means that he lived there too.

The discrepancy between baptism and birth dates that you mention happened all the time if the parents did not report the birth within a months time, then they were fined. So, they just fudged the BD when registering. Always go with the baptism date record when you see this.

Regarding the George Kelly name given for Mary Ellen's birth, perhaps because they were not married yet, Ellen did not want to disclose his correct surname...maybe not to "shame" him as having a child whilst unmarried was frowned upon during that era.

Regards,