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Looking for information on Winifred Woods

I’m looking into my Great Great Aunt Winifred Woods born in Armagh around 1907 to a Mary Woods. I think she was illegitimate as no father’s name is on Winifred’s wedding certificate.

I haven’t found a birth registration for Winifred but can see her confirmation registration of 1915. It states parents bring James and Mary Woods. I don’t believe James is her father. I think James is Mary’s father. Confused? So am I!

Could someone help me find information about her birth or baptismal record I would be ever so grateful. Thanks James

James1956

7 replies

James,

There have been several messages previously posted about this family on this site.

IrelandXO | Looking For Information On Charles Woods 1898

IrelandXO | Charles Woods Online Baptismal Copy But Where Can I Get Original

Based on the 1911 Census, I agree that James is probably Winifred's grandfather. Record from Ancestry.

NameJames Woods
GenderMale
Age72
Birth Yearabt 1839[abt 1839]
Birth PlaceCo Armagh
Residence Date2 Apr 1911
House Number6
Townland/StreetLiskyborough
DistrictRich Hill
CountyArmagh
CountryIreland
Electoral DistrictRich Hill
LiteracyRead and write
Marital StatusWidower
Number of Children Born10
Number of Children Living7
Years Married42
Inferred Marriage Date1869
OccupationR I C Pensioner
ReligionRoman Catholic
RelationshipHead
URLhttp://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Armagh/Rich_Hill/Liskyborough/330376/
Household Members (Name)AgeRelationship
James Woods72Head
Patrick Woods26Son
Marey Woods28Daughter
Charles Woods13Grand Son (Grandson)
Mabel Woods7Grand Daughter (Granddaughter)
Winney Woods4Grand Daughter (Granddaughter)
Joseph Mitchel2Grand Son (Grandson)

@@@@@@@@@

I couldn't find Winifred's birth record but think this is Mabel's from RootsIreland

Name:Mabel Elizabeth WoodsDate of Birth:24-Aug-1904
  Registration Date:30-Aug-1904
Address:RichillParish/District:ARMAGH
Gender:FemaleCountyARMAGH
Denomination:Civil Parish / District
Father:Not RecordedMother:Mary Woods
Occupation:
Sponsor 1 /Informant 1:James StuartSponsor 2 /Informant 2:
Notes:
OCCUPIER [INF1]/ SERVANT [MTHR OCCUP]/ R GRAY [REGTR]/ WORKHOUSE
ARMAGH [PLACE OF BIRTH]

@@@@@@@@@

Name:Charles WoodsDate of Birth:
  Date of Baptism:3-Sep-1899
Address:Parish/District:KILMORE
Gender:UnknownCountyARMAGH
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Joe HareMother:Mary Woods
Occupation:
Sponsor 1 /Informant 1:Anne WoodsSponsor 2 /Informant 2:
Notes:
/   /JOE HARE IS THE PRESUMED FATHER

@@@@@

Joseph Mitchel is another one of Mary's children. Her husband passed away before the census.

Regards- Mary

mtvrdk@gmail.com

Thank you.

I think many of my family have joined Ancestry so we are all looking into the Woods family.

For me it’s Winifred, not only can’t I find her birth I’m unable to find a baptismal record.

I was sent lots of information on the family such as the census, I can see where they lived but I would love to see if I could find a father’s name attached to her. James

James1956

James,

Mary seemed to have several relationships. You might want to take a DNA test to discover Winifred's father.

Regards- Mary

mtvrdk@gmail.com

Well, she had several children but just maybe they all had the same father? There’s no evidence she had several relationships and that’s why I’m looking into her children.

Family members have taken a DNA TEST but unless others do the same we won’t know who the father is but thank you for your input.

James1956

I searched the female Woods births in Armagh registration district 1905 - 1909 but did not find Winifred’s. So possibly it was not registered. (Not the first time that appears to have happened in that family).

If it is of any consolation, going by the other children who do have birth certificates, Winifred’s father’s name probably wouldn’t appear on the certificate. With illegitimate births the father’s name only appears if he is present at the registration and acknowledges paternity. (Whereas with a married woman there is a presumption of legitimacy and the husband’s name is normally recorded without him necessarily being present.).

Baptismal records do sometimes record a father’s name if the child is illegitimate, but statutory birth certificates will not unless he was there.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

James,

In a previous message to June on this site, link I provided above, Elwyn suggested she contact the parochial parish,

"The original baptism records for Kilmore parish, Co Armagh, 1899 don’t appear to be on-line anywhere. (There are on-line records up to 1881 but I can’t see any later than that). The parish should have the originals. They may be able to provide you with a copy (possibly for a fee). Contact the parochial office.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Kilmore-Parish-Stonebridge-and-Mullavilly-100067210710073/

Note that there are at least 2 chapels in the parish but probably only the one combined set of baptism records."

05587/02, Kilmore - Catholic Parish Registers at the NLI

Since Mary married Joseph Mitchell at St. Malachy, I suggested contacting that Church also.

Church Of St Malachy - Armagh Parish

54 Irish St, Armagh BT61 7EP

Open · Closes 3 PM · More hours

+44 28 3752 2813

Regards- Mary

mtvrdk@gmail.com

Thank you for searching. I will carry on with my research,

James1956

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