Judge and Connelly, Ballinaraha
I am searching for any information relating to Winifred Judge and Michael Joseph Connolly, who had twochildren of whom I am aware, Bridget b 1906 and Patrick b. 1909, both registered Ballinaraha. Patrick emigrated to Australia aged 17, fought in New Guinea in WW2 and married and had two children. He was drowned in the Barron River in Nth Queensland when his eldest child was only 4 years old. His wife died only a few years later and the children were raised by members of Patrick's wife, Ruth's family. Patrick's grand-daughter is my daughter in law, and he is gr. grandfather to my grandchildren. The details that I have on his family of origin are:
- Winifred was herself, born at Ballinaraha and baptised 16 Feb 1877, Backs, Mayo, parents Patrick Judge and Catherine Henry, godparents Owen Murray and Bridget O'Hara.
- Winifred was part of a large family, Mary b. 1867, Catherine b. 1868, Michael b. 1870, Margaret b. 1872, Pat b. 1875,John b. 1879, Helen b. 1881, Anne b. 1883.
- I have been unable to find a marriage record for Winifred and Michael, however there is a record April 1901 for a marriage between a similarly named couple, in Salford, Lancashire (? both working abroad).
- A death is registered for a Winifred Connolly Jan-Mar 1911, Ballinahagis (Kilmoremoy) which may be the Winifred I am seeking.
- A Pat Judge is registered in the Griffith's valuation at Ballinaraha and in both 1901 and 1911censuses, wife Catherine or Kate, with family names of residents matching those of the birth records.
- I have been unable to locate any family history for Winifred's husband, Michael Connolly; I have no leads and the name is verycommon. I do know that he later moved to England where he lived for the remainder of his life in or near, Manchester.
My family is visiting Ireland in October, 2016, and we will visit Ballina and try to locate the townland of Ballinaraha. We would dealy love to find any remaining connections and fill the gap in our family history.
