TRYING TO FIND MY GRANDFATHERS BIRTH CERTIFICATE SO I CAN APPLY FOR IRISH CITZENSHIP

Hello Peter,

The 1911 census for Newtown, Rahan, Kings County (now County Offaly), shows that John Dunne, son of Patrick and Bridget Dunne, was 11 years old, placing his year of birth circa 1899-1900, rather than 1896, though ages in the 1901 and 1911 census returns may not always be accurate.

The census was found at the National Archives of Ireland website and can be viewed at the following link: https://is.gd/7GokrM

Once the census appears, make sure to click on “Show all information,” to view the full census page. On the census line for John’s mother Bridget, you’ll see that Bridget and Patrick had been married for 12 years, and in the time period had 5 children, with 4 children still living.

The reason why I believe this census refers to your Dunne family is because the names of John’s siblings in the 1911 census, are the names of his siblings you mentioned in your query to Ireland Reaching Out. As you can see in the census, his siblings are Mary Josephine, Thomas, Patrick, James, Bridget, and Teresa.

You wrote, “His parents were Peter/Patrick 1859 and his mother Bridget 1867, his siblings Mary Josephine, Thomas, Patrick, himself, James. Bridget, and Teresa.”

Interestingly, the census shows that John’s father was born in America.

After locating the Dunne family in the 1911 census I went to the free irishgenealogy.ie website to see if I could locate John’s birth record for 1899-1900. I found his birth record. He was born in Newtown, Kings County, on November 8, 1899. His father is Pat Dunne, a farmer residing in Newtown. His mother is Bridget Dunne, formerly Gonoude. John’s father Patrick reported the birth to the registrar, Louis Corbet, who recorded the birth in Tullamore, Kings County Registration District on November 27 1899. John’s baptism is Number 108 in the register, which you can access at: https://is.gd/7GKmaj

This birth record is not a certified copy, and will not be accepted as proof that John was your grandfather. You will need to order a certified copy of the birth record from the General Register Office in Ireland. For information on how to order certified copies of birth, marriage, and death records, go to:
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/civil-records/help/i-want-to-get-a-cop…

Once at the above website, make sure you download the “Certificate” order form rather than the order form for a copy of the birth. A certificate costs 20 Euros.

I next found the marriage record for Patrick Dunne and Bridget Gonoude. They were married in the Roman Catholic Chapel of Mountbolus, Kings County, on 6 February 1899. Their son John was born 9 months and 2 days after they married.

At the time of marriage Patrick was a widower. His occupation was “Farmer.” His residence at the time of marriage was Newtown, Rahan, which is the same residence as found in the 1911 census. The marriage record further shows that his father is Patt Dunne, a “Farmer.”

At the time of marriage Budget was a “Spinster,” meaning she had not been married previously. No occupation is listed for her. Her residence at the time of marriage was “Holmshill,” which I believe is a reference to the townland of Hollimshill. Bridget’s father is Timothy Gonoude, a “Farmer.”

The parish priest who married Patrick and Bridget was Joseph Wheeler. The witnesses to the marriage were Eugene McLaughlin and Angela Gonoude. The marriage is the first one recorded in the register, Number 179, which you can access at: https://is.gd/cMqNIr

You may have to order a certified copy of the marriage certificate for Patrick and Bridget if you are applying for Irish citizenship.

If you notice, I didn’t bring up the Dunne family in the 1901 census for Newtown, as I didn’t want to confuse the issue, because the 1901 census shows that John’s father is Peter, rather than Patrick. But, you had already written that Peter would be one of the names of John’s father, along with Patrick.

In the 1901 census for Newtown, Rahan, John is 1 year old. You can view the 1901 census from the National Archives of Ireland link at: https://is.gd/96YOuD

Good Luck on obtaining your Irish citizenship Peter.

Best Wishes,

Dave Boylan

Hello Peter

Great work Dave Boylan.

There are no Dunnes left in Newtown now, Tony Dunne and his brother Tom were the last two living in Newtown.  The old house is still there.

Tom's son is called Martin and I can get you his phone number if you are interested.  If so would you email me as I dont want to put up someones phone number without their permission.

My email is geraldinebsmith@gmail.com or rahan@irelandxo.com

Geraldine

Many thanks for the kind words Geraldine. They're much appreciated.

Regards,

Dave

Good morning both. Apologies for my delay in replying. I have been visiting my mother who is in a care home and who i have not been able to see for over a year due to this virus.

Thank you Dave Boylan for all that information and links. Fantastic.This will help me considerably and I am profoundly grateful. As with all families there are myths ,legends and chinese whispers.Thank you Geraldine for that link and I will be in touch to get the phone number. My knowledge of my grandfathers life is based on his stories and my mother and grandmothers memories.

He said that his father was in the army in Cork???He joined up underage and went to Gallipoli. I have photographs but cannot find his army record or which regiment. He said he switched papers with another soldier so he would not be posted back to the Middle East and taking this soldiers papers went to Ireland just before the Easter Rising.There was trouble with him being in the British army and he moved his mother and father supposedily to the midlands and he eventually went there too marrying my grandmother in 1922. How much of this is true I am trying to find out. I do hope that this is my grandfather and I can get the relevant papers to apply for citizenship. Thank you again for all your help.Best wishes Peter

You're welcome Peter.

With Best wishes to yourself and your mother,

Dave

If you had the photo with him in his uniform someone might be able to identify the uniform

Geraldine

Peter do you mind me asking if you have done your DNA or the DNA of your oldest living Irish family member.

It might be worth considering 

Geraldine

Peter

Have you found out anything on John Patrick Dunne, his military record where he joined the British Army etc

Thanks

Geraldine

Good morning Geraldine. Hope you are well? Thank you for your suggestions and support. Very much appreciated.

I have a photo of my grandfather in uniform dated 1919. Not sure who to show it to?I have his army details which are on the side of his medals which is T2-14605 J.Dunne ASD but when i have tried to find his army record I cannot find a link!!

I have had my DNA done but I have no connection to the Irish side of the family to check for a match.

If you have any suggestions on my next move that would be great.

Best wishes as always Peter

Hello Peter

I have sent an email to the Irish Military Archives asking about John Dunne and included all the details you have listed above.

I asked them for guidance on how to find out more about him

Will see what they come back with

Geraldine

Hello Peter

The Irish Military Archives came back today (Tuesday), they have told me to contact the British Military Archives which I have done today.

I will let you know when they come back

Geraldine

P.S. Would you send on or post the photo of Patrick in his Uniform and we might be able to find out more for you

Thank you so much for your time and trouble. I have posted a photo of JP in his uniform on the website with his military number. Let me know if you cannot access it and I will upload another. Best wishes and many thanks Peter

Peter

Attached is a Military record for J Dunne medal number 14605. 

I searched under his medal number and this is what I came up with. 

It seems to be from 1914/1915 and was Roll of Individuals entitled to the Decoration granted under Army Order of 23rd Dec 1918, in Woolwich Dockyard 1919.

Hope this is of some help

Peter where did you post the one of him in his Uniform, I cant find it.

Thanks

Geraldine