Strain/Dugan

I can see a couple of births that probably fit the information you have given.

There’s Hughina Strain on 21.3.1903 and James Strain 25.7.1904.  Both were born at Back St, Donaghadee, to Lizzie Strain, and were illegitimate. No father’s name appears on either birth certificate. Hughina could be the “Wena” you mention.

https://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/

I can’t find the family in the 1911 census though. I don’t see a death or marriage for Hughina, though if she died after 1969 it won’t be on-line.

Thank you, Elwyn, (lovely name by the way!) 
 

Yes, the names you mention are my grandfather and his sister. I've been able to ascertain that their mother died in 1910 and the children went to live with family members. Aunt Wena lived with the Bailie family, and my grandfather with the McChesney family. By 1911, their names were changed from Strain to Duggn (Aunt Wena) and Dougan (later Duggan/Dugan, he used both spellings) my grandfather. That is where the mystery starts for me....he didn't leave Ireland until he was a young man, so he had a life there. And why the name change? 

I see from the 1910 death certificate that the informant was Lizzie’s sister Ellen Bailie. This looks to be Ellen in 1911 and I see she has her niece Hughena staying with her:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Donaghadee_Urban/Union_Street/264930/

James Bailey married Ellen Aicken on 17.1.1906 in Donaghadee Church of Ireland. She was a spinster, so presumambly, to be Lizzie’s sister she must actually be a step-sister or half sister. Her father was William Aicken, farmer.

You ask why the change of name. I can only guess that they decided to use Hughena’s father’s name. Can’t think of any other likely reason.

I wonder if this is Lizzie Strain in 1901:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Ormeau/Ormeau_Road/1212077/

You might find school attendance records for Hughina & James. There appear to have been 2 schools in Donaghadee, nos 1 & 2, and their attendance records are in PRONI in files SCH 659 & SCH 660. (They are not on-line). But apart from that there probably isn’t much more documentation recording their lives in the area.

Elwyn! 
Thank you for the class sleuthing....I fear it's going to take more digging....

Cindy 

Hello,

It's been some time since my last post and interaction on here. Life has been a wee bit.....strange. I have let my family search sit on the back burner, but felt the urge to inquire once again. I am looking for information on my grandfather, James Dug(g)an....he was born in July 1903, in Donaghadee. He went to live with the McChesney family after the death of his mother Lizzie (1911, I think) I have had amazing support and help with my search, however, it seems that all leads seem to fizzle out. If anyone can add to what has already been shared in this thread (thank you, Elwyn!), it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. 

CC,

If I understand the facts correctly, James Duggan left Ireland around 1930. So you are looking for details of his life between 1911 (census) and 1930. Is that right?

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Donaghadee_Urban/…

Apart from possible school attendance records which I mentioned previously, I am not sure that there will be much documentation on him. There wasn’t a census in Ireland in 1921 (civil disorder). There was one in 1926 but the NI part is lost. (Possibly destroyed by German bombing in WW2. No-one is entirely sure). 

He presumably took a few jobs after he left school, but without knowing who his employers were, that’d be hard to trace.

The Valuation Revision records show Thomas McChesney was still in East St, Donaghadee in 1930. If he was still single, perhaps James was still living there?

Hi, Elwyn,  

Thank you again for your reply and information. Yes, I'd really love to piece together my grandfather's life in Ireland before he left. The ultimate goal is to gain my citizenship through him. I need to connect him to my mother (which is the last and crucial piece needed) it may not be possible as records, as you've stated, may have been lost/destroyed.....I'll keep plugging away until the only thing left to me is to throw myself on the mercy of the powers that be. Lol

Cindy