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Hello, I am researching the family of James Collins (b.c. 1838 - d. 1907) and Catherine Driscoll of Russagh, south of Skibbereen. They were in Russagh in the 1901 census and were both deceased by 1911, though their son Michael was still in Russagh then.  

I am looking for more information on the origins of James and of Catherine.  James may have known my great-grandfather Humphrey Michael Collins (1858 - 1910) of Lower Lissane and I am wondering if they were related.  

Catherine's Driscoll family apparently also went by Cadogan.

James and Catherine married 4-Mar-1862, the marriage record is under Skibbereen & Rath.  Witnesses Humphrey Collins, Jeremiah Driscoll.  This Humphrey Collins was not my same-named great-grandfather, who would have been only four at the time, and I am unsure exactly which Humphrey this is.

Known children of James and Catherine, all baptism records in Skibbereen Creagh & Sullon:

Johanna 1863
Nancy 1865
Mary 1867
Hanora 1869
Michael 1871
Patrick 1874
Catherine 1876 (mother recorded as Cadogan on the baptism)
Denis 1879 (Godfather was a Humphrey Collins, who could have been my 21 year old great-grandfather)
John circa 1886

I have tried "placing" James with a few families in Lower Lissane but for a few reasons he wasn't particularly a good fit. Since the first son of James and Catherine was named Michael, my theory for now is that James was the son of a Michael, and I think he might have been the son of Michael Collins and Ellen McCarthy from Baunnahow South near Drimoleague.  

In the 1901 census there was a girl named Juliann Driscoll staying with James and Catherine.  She was listed as a niece.  I have traced Juliann back to Currabeg, Castlehaven. She was the daughter of Michael Driscoll and Johanna Collins (another Collins out of Lower Lissane - my great-grandfather's oldest sister).  So Catherine Driscoll of Russagh and Michael Driscoll of Currabeg were probably siblings but I have not yet found baptism records convincing me I have found this Driscoll/Cadogan family.

If anybody can shed some light on the origins of James and of Catherine I would be very grateful.

 

skibbgirl

Friday 7th Nov 2014, 05:32AM

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  • Afternoon

    Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

    I have forwarded your query to a volunteer in a neighbouring parish who will be in touch with you soon

    Best wishes
    Clare Doyle
    Genealogy Support

    Clare Doyle

    Monday 10th Nov 2014, 03:51PM

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