Reynolds Cooke or Cook

I've hit a real brick wall. I have a Reynolds Cooke born about 1812 in the Parish of Clontouscort, near Eyrcourt in Galway.

I can't find a bapt record absolutely anywhere so don't know who his parents were.

He enlisted in the 99th Regiment of Foot on 18 Febuary 1831 age 18yrs 5 months. His Occupation was a Brazier.

He married Catherine Connor b abt 1812 but I'm not sure where as can't find a marriage either or any bapt record.

The 99th regiment went to Hampshire Uk around 1835 as Reynolds and Catherine had twin girls Elizabetha (Elizabeth) and Joanna (Jane) baptized in Gosport, Hampshire 26 January 1836. As the girls names on the transcript are in Latin (mother's name spelled Catherinae) I think it is a RC baptism.

They had a son Reynolds b 1841 Medway Kent when the 99th was at Chatham Barracks. After that the regiment was sent to Hobart, Tasmania. Reynolds and Catherine bothe died in Hobart. Reynolds' burial record says he is CoE but Catherine's burial is a RC one.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions I would be most appreciative.

I've attached the page of his enlistment - there's 7 pages. I'm so sorry I dont have a great deal to go on .

Thanking you, Marj

messagemarj@ho…

5 Jan 2022

4 replies

Marj,

Looking at the 1901 census for Co Galway, the surname Cook(e) were a mix of RC and Church of Ireland (ie CoE). Unfortunately the RC records for Clontuskert don’t start till 1827 and the Church of Ireland’s only start in 1821. So, if born around 1812, it looks as though, whatever denomination Reynolds was, there is no record of his baptism to find.

According to my guide to Church of Ireland records, Clontuskert’s early records ie 1821 – 1876 are not on-line anywhere. Later years are on the rootsireland site (subscription) but for those early years, the only copy is in the RCB Library in Dublin. So if that is where he married, and in that denomination, you would need to get a researcher near Dublin to look them up.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

5 Jan 2022

Hi Elwyn,

Thank you so very much for explaining that. No wonder i couldn't find anything.

I hope you had a vert Merry Christmas and 2022 is kind to you,

Warm regards,

Marj

messagemarj@ho…

6 Jan 2022

Marj,

One possibility that occurred to me is that Reynolds & Catherine’s marriage might be in regimental records. Although the formal registration of births, deaths and marriages didn't start till 1837 in England & Wales; 1845 for non RC marriages in Ireland and 1864 for RC marriages, births & deaths, most army regiments kept records of births and marriages, and some burials, in their regimental records going back to 1761. These have been gathered together and are kept at the GRO in Southport, England. I think you need to know the regiment (which you do) and the year of the event which you do to within a year or so. You could get in touch with them and ask them to search for the marriage. (There will be a fee). Main website:

https://www.gov.uk/general-register-office

Link here to page showing military and other records information:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/events-recorded-in-england-wales-and-overseas/events-recorded-in-england-and-wales#events-recorded-abroad

Reynolds Cooke or Cook

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