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The Englsih 1911 census states that my Father's grandmother was named Mary Burke and she has stated that she has been in Gort co Galway . She was born approx 1833 . I think her father may have been named Thomas . She moved to India with her husband who was in the army.

Does anyone know where I may find some information about her? My father always reckoned she was very very very TALL.

Thank you for your time.

Veronica

veronicammartin

Thursday 1st Mar 2012, 06:28PM

Message Board Replies

  • Hi Veronica,

    Have you tried looking for Thomas in the land records called the Tithe Applotment Books (1823-38)?

    Unfortunately, the baptism records for Gort only start from 1848.

    You could check the occupational (army) records at the National Archives in the UK for information relating to India, although, really you will need more information such as a name and where her husband came from or enrolled.

    Hopefully someone in the community will know a bit more about the very tall Mary!

    Please make sure you link anyone else in your family who is interested in their Irish heritage to our site - and indeed anyone else you know of Irish heritage.

    Kind regards,

    Sinead Cooney

    Genealogist (Ireland XO)

    Friday 2nd Mar 2012, 10:53AM
  • Thanks Sinead ,

    Yes I have her husband's details although I am unsure as to why a scots regiment would have been in Ireland at that time approx 1857. They seem to have married in Dublin.

    I would love to know if there are any people called Burke in Galway . I am sure Mary Burke is a very common name of course.

    thanks

    Veronica

    veronicammartin

    Friday 2nd Mar 2012, 10:45PM
  • Hi Veronica,

    You say Mary Burke was born about 1833. I have taken a look at the 1901 census, and there are 2 Mary Burke's aged 70 living in Gort. You can access the census records here: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/

    I found this piece of information about the Scots regiment on wikipedia:

    19th century

    The 1st battalion was sent to Ireland after the end of the Napoleonic wars, and stationed there from 1816 until 1825, when it was moved to the West Indies, where it remained until 1835. The 2nd battalion, however, had a more active time; based in India, it was involved in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, where it fought at the Battle of Nagpore (1817) and Battle of Mahidpur (1818), and in the First Anglo-Burmese War of 1824-26. It moved to Scotland in 1830, and to Canada in 1836, where it was involved in the Rebellions of 1837.[4] A move to the West Indies in 1843 was complicated by half the regiment being shipwrecked and delayed several months, but was successful, and the regiment finally returned to Scotland in 1846.[9]

    Both battalions saw active service in the Crimean War, with the 1st fighting at the battles of Alma and Inkerman (1854), and both fighting in the Siege of Sevastopol (1854-5),[4] where the regiment's first VC was won.[16] After the war, the 1st battalion moved to Ceylon in 1857[8] and thence to India, returning home in 1870, whilst the 2nd battalion moved to Hong Kong, and saw action in the Second Opium War, fighting at the capture of the Taku Forts (1858) and Pekin (1860), and returning home in 1861.

    I hope this is of some help to you.

    Kind regards,

    Sinead

    Monday 5th Mar 2012, 02:21PM

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