Murray Scotstown sheskin

Griffiths Valuation for Sheskin does not list any Murray farm there in 1860. Consequently it appears that Owen?s family arrived there some time after that. (The revaluation records, in the Valuation office in Dublin should record exactly when).

I looked for Bernard Murray in Griffiths. There?s only 1 listed in Tedavnet in 1860. He was in Derrycrossan where he had a farm, outbuildings and 11 acres of land (plot 9). Derrycrossan is the townland immediately to the north of Sheskin. They share a common boundary. The two properties were probably only a quarter of a mile apart. I?d guess therefore that that was Owens?s father.

Traditionally the farm went to the eldest son, and other sons had to make their own way, and so that may account for Owen acquiring his own farm. This looks to be a descendant of Bernard in 1901:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Monaghan/Sheskin/Derrycrossan/1640017/

Note that the widowed mother is Anne which fits with your information about Owen?s likely mother. There are 3 Bernard Murray deaths registered in Monaghan town between 1864 and 1901. 1823 ? 1873, 1809 ? 1881 & 1818 ? 1888. Probably one of those is your Bernard but you might have to order all 3 to find out which. I?d start with the one born in 1823 as that is closest to Ann?s year of birth. Bernard doesn?t appear to have left a will, or at least, not one that was probated.

Ann?s death would seem to be registered in Monaghan town Apr ? Jun 1906 vol 3, page 176. Est year of birth 1833.

Same farm in 1911:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Monaghan/Sheskin/Derrycrossan/812366/

Sheskin and Derrycorssan are in the RC parish of Tydavnet. Their baptisms start in 1835 and marriages in 1823. You can see where copies of the parish records are held from this link:

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/browse/counties/rcmaps/

Rootsireland also have copies of the marriages from 1843 onwards, but no baptisms. There?s a match for the Murray/McKenna marriage in 1855 in Tydavnet. (Pay to view). Don?t expect too much information. RC marriages from that era usually just have the couples names and their 2 witnesses.

However if you search for baptisms (which you cannot do on the rootsireland site) you may be able to link Owen to them, plus his siblings, one of whom seems likely to be Patrick. You?? likely need to go to PRONI in Belfast or the National Library in Dublin to access the baptism records.

Bernard?s marriage to Mary Mullin was registered in Monaghan town 1873 volume 3, page 316; his marriage to Sarah Caulfield in Monaghan town Apr ? Jun 1888 Vol 3, page 220.

You can order a photocopy from GRO Roscommon for ?4 per certificate. Put the place, year, quarter (where there is one), volume & page number on the application form (anywhere). http://www.groireland.ie/ You have to post or fax the form to them but they will e-mail the copy certificate to you if you wish. Put ?please e-mail to?..? clearly on the top of the form.

 

Elwyn

Ages were often significantly out in censuses and marriage certificates (where an age was shown). Nobody bothered much and so variations of up to 10 years are quite common. Likewise death certs, where the age was simply a guess by the informant.

Another factor was that the old age pension was introduced in 1909 for people aged 70 and over. Ages sometimes increased significantly between 1901 & 1911 if people thought they might qualify.