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Michael Joseph Downey killed in action in WW1, France

KilkennyCastlecomer (Kilkenny)

Thank you Roger & Anne! You have been most helpful.

I have found a birth date for Michael Joseph, apparently 1889, which means he must have been 2/3 years in 1901 but must have been cared for elsewhere, is it possible that his mother died in childbirth? Would there be an easilt accessible record of her death?

An anomally about Martin, according to the 1901 census - he was 54 years, but is recorded as being 67 years on the 1911 census. I referred to the originals and it looks as if it has been transcribed correctly.

Muslow is an farming area, if he was working on the Millichope Estate (largest landowners in the immediate area) he would have been more at home than if he had moved to a city or urban area. It may have been that the landowner recommended him as 'fit for service,' as he certainly did for other workers on the estate - at least three died in WW1.

Many thanks ..... Anne

IrelandXO member

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Anne:

I looked at the civil death index records for Mary Downeys in the Castlecomer registration district. The most likely death index record is below. I guess it is possible that she died in childbirth but the last previous child was born in 1890 so it is unlikely. (Death records are not easily accessible. You need to write to the General Register Office or visit their office in Dublin. Costs 4 euros or so.)

I looked for an 11-12 year old Michael Downey in the 1901 census in all of Co. Kilkenny and did not find a possible record. He could have been somewhere else in Ireland or was he sent to England to live with a relative?

The 1901 census ages are generally understated so it is not unususal to see a 13 year swing between the two censuses.

Roger

First name(s) Mary
Last name Downey
Birth year 1854
Age at death 45
Registered year 1899
Registered quarter/year Jan - Mar 1899
Registration district Castlecomer
Volume 3
Page 299
Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

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