Sullivan and Spain families

Ann-Maree:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I searched on the subscription site Roots Ireland and found an 1829 marriage in Woodford RC parish which shows Own Sullivan and Mary Spain instead of Bridget Spain. I did not find any baptismal records for Sullivan children with a mother with maiden name Spain and father Owen Sullivan. Here are links to the parish registers for Woodford where records start in 1821 and Ballinakill where records start in 1839.  https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0340  https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0321

I can understand that records for children born prior to 1839 may not have a record because Ballynakill records start in 1839 but what about Margaret and Maria?

I looked at the Tithe listings for Ballinakill parish in 1834 and found an Owen Sullivan in Derryoober townland. Likely this is your ancestor.

http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/reels/tab//004587405/004587405_00679.pdf

You will note when you look at the Woodford parish register that there is a gap in baptismal records from November 1843 to March 1851 so if they moved back to Woodford that might explain not finding baptismal records for Margaret and Maria.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Roger McDonnell

Date of Marriage:02-Mar-1829
Parish / District:Woodford
County:Co. Galway
Husband   OwnSullivan
Wife  MarySpain

Witness 1
Witness 2Name:JamesEgan
MaryEgan

Thanks so much Roger. In regards to my Bridget Spain - how likely back then was it for her to be registered as one name (Mary) but known as another? 

Likely. She could have been baptized as Mary Bridget but used Bridget. The priest would have used Mary when he married the couple.

Roger

Thanks again Roger.