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Festy as a first name and Festy Flynn in particular in Kilbegnet

GalwayKilbegnet (Galway)

It has been a while since I posted about my ancestors James Flynn c1816 & Bridget (aka Bidy) Walsh 1817 and their known family Brtidget 1844, John 1848 & Mary 1851. Recently using FindMyPast's new Irish Records Transcriptions I came across the family in the 1851 Census in Co,Galway,Kilbegnet with the addition of a new child Festy Flynn born c1841. I had never come across the name before and at first thought it was a mis-transcription, but checking the 1901 Census -just for the name - I discovered a good many Festy first names (all as far as I could tell male) and shown mostly (recalled from memory) Clifden, Galway - part of Connemara. So the name was correct but I have not heard of a Festy Flynn in the family. I can trace all the others and the daughter Bridget,became my Great Grandmother in Birmingham, UK. I know of John's family and that Mary (1851) died as a child, but no Festy then or later.

I also had doubts about Festy because if 10 in 1851 his birth year of 1841 is one year beforeJames & Bridget (the mother) married in 1842. Attached to the 1851 Transcription was an image of a Ministry of Housing (UK) check in1920 on the family in the Irish Census and a query against Festy with the ?Marriage 1842 ? 1839. I presume this may have meant they found a marriage (i would think for James,or perhaps Bridget or neither (perhaps legitimising an out of wedlock child?). I cannot find a birth/baptism forFesty (the name gets rejected) and without using it, nothing remotely applying to a child that could be Festy. I have also been unable to find a marriage for a James Flyn other than the 1842 one, but that is ongoing.

My dilemma is there was a Festy Flynn aged 10 in the 1851 Census with James & Bridget's family. As there are no relationships shown so who was he; was heperhaps a cousin? The family moved to the UK sometime after 1851 as Mary died in Birmingham c 1853. But no Festy. Did he diein Ireland orremain in Ireland (remember he was only 10 in 1851) perhaps with his Grandparents? Can anyone give me pointers how I can set out to find Festy and prove his birth and check whether his father was previously married and Festy was born. Perhaps she died giving birth and James remarried Bridget.

Sorry if I have rambled on, but I did not want to miss anything out. I shall continue on my own of course but as Ireland XO was most helpful a few years ago to help me trace my Flynn ancestors, perhaps someone can see a way through this time. Many thanks - Robert (Bob) Spiers

Noodlesathome

3 replies

Bob:

Welcome back!

Below is the transcription of the baptismal record for Festus. Is it possible that Maria Conway died during the birth and James Flynn remarried?  Not sure what happened to him and as you know civil registration of deaths did not begin until 1864.

Roger McDonnell

 

Name:Festus FlynnDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:08-Feb-1841Address:Kilbegnet and DunamonParish/District:GLINSKGender:
CountyCo. Galway
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Flynn JamesMother:Conway MariaOccupation:Not Recorded
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Conway MartinSponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Conway Bridget

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you Roger I too found the record of James Flynn marrying Mary(Maria) Conway in 1840 in Glinsk/Kilbegnet and Festus Flynn baptism 08/02/1841.  Yes sad I cannot work out if Maria died (perrhaps giving birth to Festus) or James & Maria are quite separate people.  I am satisfied Festus was their child from the baptismal sponsors/informants being: Martin Conway & Bridget Conway in 1841. The year before at the marriage they were respectively Martin Conway & Bridget Hegarty (so they married in the interval).  

I am also missing an occupation for the James married to Maria. My own James married to Bridget was a tailor, and were they one and the same James' that would be a 'giveaway' we had the same man.  Were it not for Festus (aka Festy) being shown in the 1851 Census with James & Bridget and other siblings, I would conclude there were two different James' . i have to say I do not trust the 1841/51 Census transcription shown by FMP because of the year mix up, apparent duplication of children. The Transcriber may have mixed up the two families and Festus does not belong with Bridget & John (and later daughter Mary born 1851).   I cannot trace Festus at all and I know James, Bridget and family were in England certainly after 1861.  So I know need to find out what happened to Festus after reaching the age of 10.

I shall soldier on of course and thank you again for your help.   If I find anything of note I will of course report back.

Bob

 

Noodlesathome
Reposted after posting same on the Roscommon page and asked to post under messages. It is basically the same as above but hopefully might receive the attention of others who may be able to help. Festus (Festy)Flynn was born in 1841 Co.Galway in Glinsk/Kilbegnet parish which I believe also covers Co. Roscommon. Sadly Festy's mother (Maria Conway)-1818-died at childbirth and his father James Flynn (a Tailor)-1815 - remarried Bridget (Biddy) Walsh -1817. Festy was brought up by his step mother, and in the 1851 Census extract is shown with his step siblings, Bridget Jr (1844)-John (1848) - & Maria (1851). I connect through Bridget Jr my Great paternal Grandmother. James being my Great x 2 Grandfather. The family emigrated to the UK sometime after 1851 and settled in Birmingham. BUT FESTY WAS NOT WITH THEM. I had been unable to find out what happened to him until I came across the death of a Festus Flynn in the Roscommon Workhouse in 1865 aged 21. If he is the Festy I seek that age is out by about 3 years as he would have been about 24. I have been unable to establish any other record for Festy be it death or emigration and no reason why he did not join his father, step mother and step siblings. I know of no means of checking on the Festus Flynn aged 24 who died in the Roscommon Workhouse to see if he one and the same as the one I seek, and would appreciate if anyone else can help in this respect.
Noodlesathome

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