Sheehan (!845?)

Hi Vanessa,

Ellen Sheehan was born on September 24th 1888 and baptised in Cobh on September 27th. Address: Thomas Street. Marriage to John Byrne, Stone Cutter on April 6th 1915 in Cobh. Father: Samuel. Address: 27, Bishop Street;

Johanna Sheehan baptised in Cobh on April 27th 1890. Address: Bishop Street. Marriage to Thomas Canavan, Carpenter, Orelia Terrace on February 6th 1915 as "Hannah Sheehan". Her father - Maurice - is deceased. Thomas Canavan's father is named William who is a baker.

You will find the marriage records at  - www.irishgenealogy.ie - Free Site - Birth records - www.rootsireland.ie - Subscription Site

Regards,

Hi McCoy,

Thank you for your help. I would just like to query the information found on Ellen as I have her recorded as being baptised at St. Colman's Cathedral on September 29th, 1888. The information was given to me by my Uncle who is unfortunately very unwell and not able to continue to help me with my research on my Irish Ancestry. Her father as with Johanna would have been Maurice my Gt. Grandad. The name John Byrne is correct. Is Samuel his father and I have read it wrong? My ancestors were all born at 12 Bishop Street, or so I believe and all baptised at St. Colman's Cathedral. I have I think all the siblings names and dates of baptisms, just not dates of birth. I would also like to if at all possible find out more about them. Sorry, if I appear a bit "dense" it just appears more challenging to find my Irish ancestry than my English and as I am doing this for myself and my daughters (both born in Australia) I want to make sure I have the right Sheehan family. I believe it was quite a common name.

Thank you again.

Vanessa.

Hi Vanessa,

In relation to baptism of Ellen Sheehan, the date which is recorded on www.rootsireland. is the 27th. You should check with the Cathedral for her record. Mistakes can be made in transcription. Civil record not found.

In relation to how accurate the records are, you have to take account of the prevailing circumstances in Ireland in those times. You should check the From B6 in the Census records to get the addresses of Maurice Sheehan - 1901 - 1911 for John. Your great grandfather is recorded in the Civil Records as 12, Bishop Street. His birth was recorded by Maurice Sheehan, his father on the 19th September 1894. 

From experience I have found the baptism records to be the more accurate. They are closer to the event.

1901 census records Samuel Byrne, born in Waterford. His son John is recorded as "John Joseph".

I hope this is of some value to you.

Best Wishes,

Hi McCoy,

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking the time explaining all this to me. I'm actually amazed there are any records of my ancestors as I understand a lot of Irish records were lost.

You are a gem!

Vanessa

I have managed to find some info for all but one sibling. Her name was Bridget Sheehan. She was baptised 05 Mar 1892, St. Colmans Cathedral. I cannot find any record of her birth? Parents: Maurice Sheehan/Bridget Downey/Creedon.

Thank you!

Vanessa

Hi Vanessa,

It appears that a number of the family were not registered with the Civil Authories.

Regards,

Hi McCoy,

Was that normal to not register with the civil authorities and what was the reason for not doing so? I would think that would be illegal?

Hi Vanessa,

The responsibility was on the local Dispensary doctor, but in many cases he would not be aware of the birth. Most births in this time frame were at home, with the local midwife in attendance. The situation in Ireland, due to poverty, was dire in many urban areas.

In regard to addresses, the marriage of Maurice Sheehan to Bridget Downy, was Carrignafoy. His parents are Carrigtwohill. The baptism addresses for the children vary.

I recommend that you Google: History of Registration - The Beginnings of Civil Registration in Ireland. It gives a good account of the legislation over a number of years.

Regards,