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Genealogical research

MayoIslandeady (Mayo)

I am trying to research some information on my great grand father John Cawley born circa 1851 a farmer of Gortnaclassagh, Fahy according to the 1901 census. I have a death certificate for a Julia (born 1813, died 15th June, 1877) who died at the home of the said John Cawley above. Ido not believe that she was John Cawley's mother as I can't locate a birth certificate for John Cawley born to a Julia. On going through the Islandeady Church records I see that at least four John Cawley's born around that time. The name Julia has not been passed down through the family line and the more likelihood is that his Mother's name was Sally as John Cawley in turn named one of his daughter's Sara. There is a John Cawley born to a Sally Needham and John Cawley 1849 at lenasillagh Islandeady;I wonder is that my line. I have been trying to solve this puzzle for many many years now but I always come to a stumbling block. If there is anyone with any further information, I would be very grateful. Thanking you in advance.

IrelandXO member

7 replies

Marie:

I located a civil marriage index record for a John Cauly and four possible spouses in the Westport registration district which includes Islandeady parish.

First name(s) John
Last name Cauly
Registration year 1871
Registered Quarter/Year 1871
Registration district Westport
Volume 4
Page 763
County -
 

MarriageFinder?

 John Cauly married one of these people
Mary Malone, Bridget Doherty, Anne Ginnelly, Ellen Bourke

I then checked the Roots Ireland indexes and they have an 1871 marriage record for a John Cawley (or variant) and a Bridget Doherty (which matches the name on the index record). The record was in the Islandeady RC parish records.

Likely this is the record for your John. It does not appear that the mothers name is on the record.

You can get a copy of the civil record from the General Register Office for around 4 euros. The records will show the names of the fathers of the bride and groom and where the bride and groom were living in 1871. I can forward instructions if you want them.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Marie

As you know there are 6 John Cawley baptism records for John Cawley born 1851 + - 3 years on www.rootsireland.ie/

There are 9 for 1851 + - 10 years.

There are 2 with mother's name starting with S - both Sally - 1852 & 1849 which look almost identical:

parish Islandeady R C parents James Cawley & Sally Needham sponsors Michael Cawley & Secily Cawley (Catherine in 1849)

1852 John's address is Lennesellagh; 1849 it is Curnsellagh

You might want to have a look on Griffiths Valuation (free site) which has 37 John Cawleys in Mayo in 1857. Perhaps there's a Lennesellagh or Curnsellagh there?

Col

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

The Cawley family aren?t listed as being on Gortnaclassagh in Griffiths in 1855, so it looks as they originated somewhere else. (The revaluation records in Dublin should tell you exactly when if you want to know).

What does Julia?s death certificate say about her marital status? Was John Cawley senior alive or dead in 1877? Could Julia be a second wife?

Ahoghill AntrimIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Roger,   Thank you for doing some research on my ancestors it is appreciated.   The John Cawley born circa 1850 married a Bridget Barrett circa 1870 but no record of their marriage can be found.   As you advised I can get a copy of their civil record from the General Register Office.   Hopefully I will eventually get to the bottom of this research!  Thank you,  Marie

 

IrelandXO member

Hi Col,   Thank you for helping to research my ancestors.   I looked up Griffiths Valuation and there are Cawley families living at Lennesellagh but I can't know which family is my connection.  In 1857 my g grand father was only 7 years old and I don't know his father's name.   I will keep researching anyway.  Thanking you once again,  regards

IrelandXO member

Thank you for your help in researching my ancestors.   The death cert says that Julia was married and was the land holders wife. Thanking you

IrelandXO member

So you would expect the landholder to be John Cauley senior, till the farm passed to his son. If Julia were his second wife that could suggest John Cauley senior was still alive in 1877. Is that right? Does that tie in with your knowledge of the family? Do you have his date of death?

Ahoghill AntrimIrelandXO Volunteer

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