Bridget Brophy

Mary:

I searched on the subscription site Roots Ireland and found the marriage record. However, I could not find a baptismal record for Bridget Brophy anywhere in Ireland with the parents names you provided. Likely, she was baptized in a church that no longer has records back to 1816 or earlier.

Roger McDonnell

Mary:

I forgot to mention that I did not find an Edward Brophy in the Tithe listings in Co. Carlow.

Roger

Thank you Roger.  Your quick reply is a great way to start the new year!

I only have her death certificate in 1871 which lists her parents so obviously one of her children provided the information. I have double checked the details and I have to apologise - for some reason I have 'Margaret' on the brain - the certificate actually lists the mother's name as Bridget O'Neil. 

She was aged 60. If so, then born about 1810 so about 23 when she married.  Interestingly both witnesses were military.  One of whom was John Neil.  That may have been coincidental.  I have searched his military records and found he was born in Borris - possibly a relative?? (I have found what is probably his baptismal record in 1812 at 
Borris to Arty Neil.) It may be therefore that she didn't come from Carlow despite being married there.

There seems to be a tradition in Australia that people added an O to the surname as that came to be the accepted spelling.  So it is possible she may have been plain Neil originally.   (That certainly happened on my father's side with one great grandmother progressing from Hare to O'Hare and then changes in spelling of 'Hare' followed.)

Her youngest child was also called Bridget.  All were born in Australia.

Again, thank you for your help.  I don't know if the extra information warrants a second look.   I am hoping when I get over to Ireland in a year or two I will drop in at Carlow.

Regards

Mary

Mary:

I searched again for all of Ireland using Bridget Neill and no baptismal record for Bridget Brophy. Likely no record is available.

Roger

Thank you - good to double check.  I am presenting a relic of her husband's military service to a local Army museum.  His marriage is an important aspect of that so I want to be sure to be as factual as possible as I will provide a history to go with the item.  I hope to complete this soon and then make the presentation.

Mary