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Finding Grandad

WexfordFerns (Wexford)

Hi there, I'm hoping for any help or advice on finding my Grandad!

This is what I know to be facts about him. He was Peter O'Brien born c1888 (taken from his marriage and death certs) married in 1919 in Newcastle upon Tyne England which is where he also died in 1947. His Father was John and his Mother was Bridget and his Father was dead by the time Peter married. My own Dad died as quite a young man sadly before I was old enough to be interested in asking him about his family but I do remember quite clearly him telling me that Peter was from Ferns. I have found a Brien family in Clone in the 1901 census with the exact family names and a Peter the right age, in the 1911 census Peter is living in the next door house as a servant. I would love this to be my family but I know I can't assume this is the correct family. I have looked at a map and I can see that Clone and Ferns are quite close.Can anyone suggest how I might confirm or deny this?

The only other info I have on Peter is just family stories, that Irish was his first language and that he was injured in the Easter Uprisings by being shot in his arm and that is when he left Ireland for England. He certainly had a damaged arm but I have no idea how true this story is.

So any help or advice would be greatfully received, when I started my family research it was to track down my maiden name but sadly this has been the most elusive of my family lines!!

Pompey girl

9 replies

Eileen:

There are very few RC church records for Co. Wexford online at this time. On July 8th the National Library of Ireland plans to place all RC parish registers online for free searching. In the 1901 census the family was living in Clone civil parish. Assuming they were in that area when Peter was born, the corresponding RC church is Monageer which is just below Ferns RC parish. I would review the registers for Monageer and Ferns to see if you can find the record. I also located a civil birth index record for a Peter Brien in 1888 in the Enniscorthy registration district. You can get a copy of this record from the General Register Office for around 4 euros. If you want to get a copy. let me know and I will forward instructions.

Roger McDonnell

First name(s) Peter
Last name Brien
Registration year 1888
Registered quarter/year Jul - Sep 1888
Registration district Enniscorthy
Volume 4
Page 517

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Roger,

Thank you very much for your swift reply! Yes please I would like I would like instructions on how to get this cetificate

Eileen

Pompey girl

Eileen:

Go to this link https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Apply-for-Certificates.aspx

Print out the birth form and fill it out to the best of your ability include info from the index record: quarter/year of birth, registration district and volume and page number. Make sure you only ask for a copy. You have to mail the request to GRO in Co. Roscommon (address provided when you print the form). You can ask the GRO to e-mail the copy back. I normally provide a credit card number and have not had any issues.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Roger,

 

The National Library?s copy of Ferns RC records only goes up to 1880, so Peter?s baptism c 1888 isn?t going to be in the on-line records in July.

 

Eileen,

 

If you want to check the parish records for Peter?s baptism, you probably need to contact the parish priest who has the post 1880 records. However the on-line records that Roger has mentioned will be useful for checking backwards for older siblings and for parents.

 

 

Elwyn

Ahoghill AntrimIrelandXO Volunteer

Thanks to you both Roger and Elwyn! I have googled Monageer Church am I right in thinking that is St Patricks?

Eileen

Pompey girl

Eileen,

I am at the other end of Ireland and don?t know the area that well, but I think these are the contact details you need. If not I am sure the pp will advise.

Rev Michael Byrne, CC
Ordination:
Wexford : 06/06/93
Address:
Boolavogue, Ferns, Co Wexford
Phone: 053-9366282
Mobile: 087-2344937
Parish: Boolavogue (Monageer)

Elwyn

Ahoghill AntrimIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you Elwyn, the penny has just dropped with your name on here and your location!!! I will try that address
Eileen

Pompey girl

   

Pompey Girl

 

I have my Great Grandparents Thomas QUINN who married Elizabeth BRIEN 15 April 1885 Enniscorthy Cty Wexford  - Elizabeth's Father was Peter BRIEN.  

Carolannharvey…

 

 

Hi Clemmie thanks for your post, my Grandad Peter was born in 1888 and his Father was John,

Eileen

 

 

 

Pompey girl

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