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William Joseph Coleman (GG) - Soldier in Boer War

Dear, I trust you are well and keeping safe during these difficult times. I would appreciate your help on the matter below as I'm pulling my hair out trying to figure this out.

My great-grandfather (GG) came to South Africa around 1897 to fight in the South African (Boer) war. I analysed over 100 Colemans that came to South Africa as soldiers and narrowed it down to one person based on when my great-grandmother had their first child (3/9/1899) and the arrival of William Coleman (12/11/1897) according military records. The same military record states his Parish as St Patricks in Waterford. I have baptism records and birth records that appear to match this, except for the Parish which is different - Kilkenny no. 2 versus St Patricks - I'm learning so forgive the ignorance.

I'm desperately trying to find proof that this is the same W.Coleman that is my GG. GG appeared to remain in South Africa and had 4 more children, my grandmother is one. Using simple date calculations as I cannot find a single date of birth for him in South Africa that could tie this all together is credible but not validated. The date of birth I have for a person I'm not 100% sure of is 2/2/1874. There's no verifiable death record in South Africa except for one that appears within the date range - so date of death could be 22 Dec 1923. GG's wife died in December 1930 and the record states she was a widow. GG would have died between 1916 (after the birth/death of his son Edward) and 1930.

GG has a beautiful signature on his marriage certificate and death record of his baby - are their signature samples in Ireland that could be compared, what else could I use to qualify or disqualify GG?

I have not been lazy, although admit that I'm new at this even though I have been searching for two years. I have searched on Irish geneaology, Ireland Census 1901/1911, findmypast, myheritage, ancestry, NLI, lots of Boer war records.

I'm so worried that this affinity I feel for the person found may blind me therefore finding proof is important to me discovering our real Irish connections.

I'm grateful for the help.

 

 

Ishmael

7 replies

Thank you for your query, we have notified a volunteer who we are hoping can help.

Regards

Denise, IrelandXO

IrelandXO Mode…IrelandXO Volunteer

Ishmael:

I looked at the records for St. Patrick's parish in Waterford city. I found one Coleman family that had six children from 1866-1876 but no William only Thomas 1866 John 1868 Michael 1870 Mary 1872 Edward 1874 Ellen 1876 Parents were Patrick Coleman and Catherine Marshal.  Curious that the military records indicated St. Patrick's Waterford but no William in the parish.  

There are other William Coleman birth records in Co. Waterford in 1874 1875 and 1877.

However, if the birth date you have for the William Coleman in South Africa is February 2 1874 then the person in Co. Kilkenny would match up.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Dear Madam/Sir

Thank you for the reply. I would appreciate some further clarification. I apologise for the ignorance in advance.

Attached please birth record, as per the above, for my great-grandfather.

1.What is the Parish name?

2. What is the name of the church?

I'm trying to write a sentence that highly localises my great-grandfather's birth.

"My great-grandfather, William [Joseph] Coleman was born in the parish of [...] in County Kilkenny, in Province Kilkenny on the 02/02/1874 to Robert and Bidgit Coleman. He was baptised in the Church of [...]."

Where does Chapel Lane fit into all of this? Was that the residential address?

Subsequently, the family moved to Waterford as per the census. I found family in Waterford, how would I go about contacting them?

I sincerely appreciate your help.

Regards

Ishmael

 

Ishmael

Ishmael:

William was baptized in the RC parish of St. Mary's in Kilkenny town within Co. Kilkenny. Great place to visit. The civil parish would also be St. Mary's and Chapel Lane is the resedential address.

You indicate that you have found family currently in Waterford. Do you have names and addresses?

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Roger

Thank you for the reply. Noel Thomas Keohan is related to me and was found through a DNA test that I took. I tried contacting Noel through Ancestry.com but was not successful. I have lots of questions for him.

 

Noel Thomas Keohan

B:Dec 1945 Waterford, Ireland

Any help you can afford would be appreciated.

Regards

Ishmael

 

 

Ishmael

Ishmael:

Unfortunately, our privacy rules prevent us from contacting anyone who is living.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you

Ishmael

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