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Hi!
I have some cultural questions about the possible baptismal record of John Ryan, 1855, born to Mary Doyle and James Ryan. I have been unable to find any records using the above search terms or variants in *any* county.

The closest fit puts baby John in Castleconnell, DOB 12/4/55, but his mother is Mary *Dahal*. The name 'Keogh' is underlined heavily to right of entry. He is listed as illegitimate.

Mary and James had the rest of their children in Moneytucker, Wexford. It seems that Mary may have had family there. No marriage records have been found yet.

But....
-why would a pregnant mother go from Wexford to Limerick to have her baby? Wexford had more resources during the Great Hunger than Limerick. I know that Limerick has many Ryans; would they have gone to the fathers' family?

-Would 'Dahal' be a possible match for Doyle? It is not listed as such anywhere as a variant. Also, I cannot find more records for 'Mary Dahal', which makes me consider the possibility that Dahal is a misspelling.

-what is the significance of 'Keough' to the right of the baptismal entry? Sponsors were listed, so that's not it; the name appears in other records on the same place. Could it be the officiating priest's name, perhaps?

Thank you so much for your time.
-Heather

heatherceline

Saturday 2nd Jan 2021, 05:22PM

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  • Heather:

    Hopefully others will have more information but I looked at the register and the priest's name was John Egan. The Keagh or Keogh is a place name and likely it was not an offical townland.

    The Dahal may have been how the priest heard Doyle and he did not clarify the spelling. He just wrote it down as he heard it. However, it may have been Dahill. Although rare in Limerick, I did see a few records with that surname.

    Can't explain the Limerick to Wexford connection. Maybe having a child before marriage was an embarrassment and they moved? 

    Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Saturday 2nd Jan 2021, 06:56PM

  • Roger,
    Thank you very much for this information. I will begin chasing leads with 'Dahill'. I appreciate you!
    Heather

    heatherceline

    Sunday 3rd Jan 2021, 12:55PM

  • <<Maybe having a child before marriage was an embarrassment and they moved? >>

     

    It would seem that was very much the case and common to move elsewhere for the birth.

    patcarty2

    Sunday 10th Jan 2021, 02:44PM

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