Catharine (Kate) Berry

Bev,

Statutory birth registration started in Ireland in 1864. Catharine’s age in 1890 would make her born in 1864 or a year or so either side. In fact she was born in 1861. I found her baptism in the RC parish registers for Aghalurcher, Co. Fermanagh, on 27.11.1861. Sponsors Hugh McIlroy and Isabella McNulty. As far as I am aware the local church would be in Lisnaskea.

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632783#page/98/mode/1up

I also found a birth certificate for a sibling. James Berry was born 11.6.1867 in Aughalurcher, near Lisnaskea in Co. Fermanagh. Parents were James Berry & Catharine Gray. Father’s occupation was railway labourer. Not exactly an Inspector of Railways perhaps but in the right industry. So that looks to be your family. 

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1867/03473/2275898.pdf

Aughalurcher is probably more commonly known as Aghalurcher Glebe. It’s about half way between Lisnaskea and Newtownbutler, and a railway (Dundalk to Enniskillen) ran through the middle of it. The Valuation Revision records show a farm and a railway gate house listed, probably to operate the level crossing on the road that crossed the line at that point. Aghalurcher Glebe is not very big. In the 1901 census there were just 2 houses and a total population of 14. If you are ever trying to find it, the ruins of Aghalurcher church (an ancient monument) are in it. The very old church is well signposted as it’s a minor tourist attraction.

I have attached a map taken from Johnson’s Atlas & Gazeteer of the Railways of Ireland which shows you where Aughalurcher is situated.  The little letter R against it means that for a time in the 1930s and 1940s passengers could flag down certain trains to stop there or get off there by prior arrangement with the guard. (There was no station but I think they had a set of steps they let down from the train. Something like that anyway). The railway closed in 1957 but you can still see traces of it in the countryside. I also found a photograph of a level crossing keeper’s house at Sallaghy (just a mile or so from Aughalurcher).  Taken from Fermanagh’s Railways by Charles P Friel & Norman Johnston.  I am sure all the crossing keeper’s houses were the same so this shows you the sort of property your ancestors lived in. This picture in the 1960s has a tiled roof. I suspect that in the 1880s it would have been thatched.

The parents married 8.10.1848 in Haggardstown which is in Co. Louth. The townland given there was Dunmahon.

James Berry died at Aghalurcher on 7th June 1894 aged 67. He was a widower and a “plate layer.” (A plate layer is someone who maintains railway tracks). His son John was the informant.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1894/05965/4695551.pdf

Catharine Berry died in 1888:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1888/06159/4759942.pdf

Her occupation was “wife of a gate keeper” so it looks as though part of James’s duties was to operate the level crossing gates at Aghalurcher.

This looks to be the son John who married Margaret McDonnell in Lisnaskea in 1883, and who was still in Aghalurcher in 1901:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Fermanagh/Kilmore/Aghalurcher_Glebe/1358295/

Marriage here:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_re…

The birth records have children as follows (there may have been others):

James 28.3.1886 at Farnacorky

Richard 30.7.1888 Farnacorky. Died 10.8.1888

John 8.2.1890 Aghalurcher died 30.12.1891

Peter 28.3.1892 Aghalurcher

Catharine 1.3.1894 Aghalurcher

Same family in 1911:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Fermanagh/Kilmore/Aghalurcher_glebe/524186/

Note that John Berry was born in Co. Meath. He had had 8 children of whom 6 were still alive.

I note that James Berry married in Co Louth, and had at least 1 child born in Co Meath before moving to Fermanagh. I would guess that his work on the railways may have been a factor in the different moves.

HI Elwyn

I can't believe you found out all that for me so quickly - I can't believe it.       That's all so amazing and I appreciate it so much.    

Thank you so much.

Bev Mulcahy