Researching Mary Dwyer

Dear Mary:

Is this the family:  

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Kilkenny/Knocktopher/Barrettstown/1454664/

If so, you can view the civil birth records for the children who are listed on the Census form and work backwards.  

I also have a copy of the civil marriage record which I attach and which you refer to.  You will note that Ellen Dwyer was a witness to Mary's wedding.  This may be a sibling of Mary's.  

There is a civil death record for a Patrick Dwyer who died in 1884.  His daughter, Ellen Dwyer was the person who registered his address.  You will note that his residence is given as Baysrath.  He is listed as 82 years of age and a widower.  Was this Mary's father?  If so, it might be worth looking for a death record for a Mary Dwyer before 1884.  

Looking at the occupants or households of the 1901 Census in Barrettstown, I note that there is a Richard Dwyer who resides there in House No. 3.  This family may be a connection to Mary Dwyer due to their proximity (James Dalton is House No. 1).  

When I searched for a baptism record for Richard Dwyer, there is one for a Richard Dwyer baptised on 10 February 1846.  His residence is Baysrath and his parents are Patrick Dwyer and Mary Lahy.  (Attached).  

Baysrath townland borders Barretstown and it may be that the name was used interchangeably if this family lived very close to Barretstown.  https://www.townlands.ie/kilkenny/kells/dunnamaggan/baysrath/

Alternatively, you can see if the local church has a burial register.  Often, these registers would list where the deceased is buried.  The contact details for Ballyhale parish office are here:  http://knockcar@indigo.ie

It was not uncommon for families not to have headstones as they were expensive, and if many family members had left, there was often no one left to purchase one.  

If you need any further help, please let us know.  

Please let us know when you are planning on travelling.  

All the best,

Jane

Hi Jane,

Thank you for your research.   Thanks for the info on Ballyhale parish, I will reach out to them. 

I'm not sure Ellen is a sibling, maybe a cousin.  I found an Ellen Dwyer born in 1855 to a Patrick Dwyer and Mary Hickey from Windgap. 

My thoughts are that  Mary is might be the child of Patrick Dwyer and Mary Lahy, and is probably Richard's sister.  On the same date 2/13/1882 of Mary's marrriage to James Dalton, there is an civil marriage entry for Richard Dwyer marrying a Bridget Dalton.  The fathers are both listed as Patrick and share the same statement about whose fathers are aliive or deceased.  Sadly, I have been unable to find James or Bridget's birth info.  I am pretty sure their parents are Patrick Dalton and Catherine Gorman as I have a strong DNA match to a sibling, Richard Dalton, born in 1848 to Patrick Dalton and Catherine Gorman of Ballyhale.  

We are planning to visit Kilkenny in April 2020 and hope to get to meet with our cousin, Seamus.  Thanks again for all your help.  I'll let you know if I have any luck with the parish office.

Mary