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Hello,

My great great grandmother was Katherine Bouchier from Bruff or Knockainy or nearby. I don't believ she was married when she gave birth to my great grandfather Thomas Toomey near Knockainy in 1835. Thomas's  father was Michael Toomey of Knockainy, a Catholic. I believe that she was Protestant. I have found a death record for a Katherine Bouchier in Montenotte, Cork in 1886. The report says that her father was Richard Barr Bouchier and her grandfather, James Bouchier of Kilcullane, Limerick.

I know that this relationship between Michael and Katherine is problematic - differences in class and religion, but, these things do happen.  Michael went on to marry Ellen Ryan in Knockainy in 1840 and raised a family. My Thomas emigrated to the US about 1856. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find much about Thomas' mother and wonder if you can help.

I did find baptismal records for:

Catherine Boucher 3-Aug-1800 in Newport, Tipperary

Catherine Boucher 1-May-1808 in Tullamore, Offaly

Catherine Helen Bouchin 23-Nov-1810 in Mallow, Cork

and a marriage record for:

Catherine Ellen Bouchier and Joseph Bevan in St Michaels 13-May-1835

I did have Catriona Crowe research the family but she could not ascertain, with certainity, Thomas' parentage. So, I decided to turn to you next.  I hope that you will be able to help me.

Thanks so much.

Robin Burns Hutchins

 

 

Roberta Burns Hutchins

Sunday 12th Apr 2015, 12:42AM

Message Board Replies

  • Dear Robin

    Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

    Catriona Crowe is an accomplished Archivist and if anyone could be of assistance then it is she.

    As you say above, there may not be a way to establish with certainty the name and details of Thomas' mother given the circumstances of his birth. Do you think you have exhausted all of the avenues on the US side in terms of learning more about his mother through Thomas himself; did he marry, have you found a death record for him, newspaper obit etc etc?

    Best wishes
    Clare Doyle
    Genealogy Support

    Monday 13th Apr 2015, 11:10AM

  • Thank you for replying, Clare, Yes, my cousins and I have exhausted all leads about Katherine in the US.  All I know about her is that in Thomas Toomey's marriage certificate, dated October 25, 1869 in Chicopee, Massachusetts, she is listed as Catherine Boucher. I have searched for Katherine with all kinds of surname and forename variations.

    One of Katherine's granddaughters is still alive, age 97, and she says that her siblings always referred to Katherine as their "French grandmother", although, they never met her. Katherine's last name does sound French ...

    Catriona Crowe produced wonderfully recearched reports about two of my Limerick families but her not speculating on possibe relations has left me with no leads. So, I decided to reach out to your organization. I hope that someone will be able to help me.

    Thank you!

     

     

     

    Roberta Burns Hutchins

    Monday 13th Apr 2015, 12:48PM

  • I saw your post which intrigued me, so I have researched your Montenotte Bouchiers and it turns out they were two spinster sisters born in 1841 and 1843 to Richard Beare Bouchier, so Kate (born 1841) cannot be the person you are looking for.  Mary was known as Pollie, so that's where that name comes from.

    Catherine Ellen Bouchier (who married Joseph Bevan) is a relative of mine and had 17 children after her marriage, so for her sake, I hope there wasn't a previous one as well!

    Ros

    rosnorfolk

    Monday 16th Sep 2024, 10:23AM

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