Leonard/Raftery family

Susan:

Can't tell if you pulled up the 1911 census. There was a 6th child likely Josephine.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Galway/Bullaun/Lisduff…

I looked for a civil marriage index record and found one in 1882 in the Loughrea registration district. There were a number of possible spouses on the record. No Margaret Raftery but there was a Margaret Recteen which I think was a mistranscription. I also looked at the Roots Ireland indexes and there was an 1882 marriage in the Loughrea RC church between a Patrick Leonard and a Margaret. Her surname does not come up.

You can get a copy of the civil marriage record from the General Register Office for around 4 euros. The records will show the names of the fathers of the bride and groom and where the bride and groom were living in 1882.

If you want to take a shot and get a copy of this record, let me know and I will forward instructions.

Roger McDonnell

Hello,

I did print out that 1911 census, but it didn't seem like the ages were right.  I think that would have made Patrick 69 instead of 50.  I wondered if it was his father and Josephine could have been his sister.

I would be interested in obtaining that record of marriage. It sounds like it would be about the right time. Thank you for searching for this information.  I always wondered if any of the other family members immigrated to the states, because I understand my grandmother Bridget never mentioned her family. Maybe the rest of them stayed right there.  I'd like to visit that area at some point, so it would be fun to see if there are cousins still around.

Thank you again!

Susan Manning

Susan:

I'm sure it is the same family. In my experience with the two censuses, the 1901 ages are usually understated and it is not unusual to see a 20+ increase in age between the two censuses. 

In 1908, the Old Age Pension Act was passed which allowed a person to get a pension at 70 if their income was not too high. As a result, the ages in the 1911 census were more accurate or possibly inflated because of the pension. ( You still had to prove age when you filed for the pension).

Go to this link, https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Apply-for-Certificates.aspx

print out the form and mail it to the address shown. Make sure you only ask for a copy. You can ask the GRO to e-mail the copy back to you. You need to include the registration district, volume and page number on the form.

Roger

Roger,

Thank you so much for your help in this!  I will send the application soon and see if it will contain enough information to continue with my search.  You've been great!

Susan Manning

Hi Susan
Let us know how the research progresses!

Best wishes
Clare Doyle
Genealogy Support

Hello Clare and Roger...the research is going well and I'm arriving in Ireland for the first time on October 1st! My great-grandfather Patrick married Margaret Raftery Coen, whose first husband had died.  They lived at Danesfort, Ballybroder and I've been in touch with Colman Shaunnessy, who has offered to help me find a grave.  Margaret's parents were Thomas Raftery and Bridget Finn...so I now have Leonards, Rafterys and Finn in my line, and hopefully will stand on the land of my ancestors in under three weeks, and maybe even find an ancestor in a cemetery.  I would love to find cousins, but won't have much time there.  I'll be with three other gals (one my daughter) and we'll only be staying in Kinvara for four days before we head towards Dingle on Tuesday the 4th.  Thank you all so much for your help.  If you find anything else about my line, I'd love to hear it before I arrive!  Susan Manning

Susan:

Have a great trip! Clare is on holidays until the end of the month.

Roger