Hi,
I am trying to find information about a Charles Dougan. I have located a baptism record which provides the following information:
Name: Charles Duggan (this is incorrect as the correct spelling is Dougan)
DOB: 1 November 1882 in Belfast
Baptism: 4 November 1884 at St Patrick's, Belfast
Father: Joseph Duggan (should be Dougan)
Mother: Rose A Mullins
Address at time: Carntall Street, Belfast
I believe that the above information may have been sourced from Roots Ireland but I am not sure. I have just located a blurry digital printout that was on another family tree - see attached.
I have been able to positively identify his parents as Joseph Dougan (born about 1856) and his mother as Rose Emma Mullins (born about 1856). The mother's surname has variously appeared as Mullan, Mullin and McMullin. Also, she was baptised for a second time in 1877 as a Catholic and took on the names of 'Rose Ann Teresa' so her first names also change on various documents. I have also been able to identify nine (9) of Charles' siblings, six of which died in infancy.
Other than the above information regarding his family, I haven't been able to find anything else about Charles' own life after he was baptised. All my enquiries through Ancestry.com, GRONI, Irish Genealogy, Belfast City Council (online burials), Findagrave.com and Billiongraves.com have failed to find any further record of his birth or baptism, or any record at all of his marriage, children, death, burial, any military history or emigration to another country - nothing at all!
I was wondering whether you have any other ideas as to where I can search for information re this Charles Dougan. If it wasn't for the attached record of his baptism, there doesn't seem to be anything to show that he even existed.
Any assistance or direction you can provide would be most appreciated.
Regards,
David
David
Monday 9th Aug 2021, 05:19AMMessage Board Replies
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David,
Given the lack of information on Charles, other than his baptism, I’d suspect that he didn’t live very long, and that for some reason neither his birth nor death was registered. If the family was RC, he could be buried in Milltown. (It opened in 1869 and thereafter was the main RC cemetery in the city). He probably wouldn’t have a gravestone. The complete records are not on any of the on-line burial sites you have mentioned. The Ulster Historical Foundation do have them though (pay to view). Or you could contact the cemetery: https://find-open.co.uk/belfast/milltown-cemetery-office-2089958# There may be a fee to pay.
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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Thanks Elwyn.
I have managed to touch base with somebody who has assisted me with some Milltown Cemetery enquiries (not easy from Australia) and established that five of the six siblings who died in infancy are buried in the 'Poor Ground' at Milltown Cemetery. I am informed however that I would need a year of death for Charles for them to search their records as they cannot search on a name only. Does that sound right?
Anyway, thanks for your info. If you have any other ideas, please let me know.
Regards,
David
David
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David,
I have never tried to find a burial at that cemetery without having a year, so haven’t come across your problem before. I’d ask them to search 1882 & 1883. That shouldn’t be too difficult.
The Poor Ground at Milltown is down at the bottom of the cemetery near the M2 motorway. There are occasional little crosses here and there in the middle of the grass. Very moving. Most of the poor ground graves are unmarked
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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Hi David
Charles died aged 4 months, September 1882. See link https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…
Regards
Gerard, Parish Liaison Lackagh
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I think that's the wrong Charles. That death cert gives his father's name as Humphrey Duggan, a painter.
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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Haha, you had my hopes up there for a second!
Yes, that is the wrong Charles. I had found that one, and I think one or two others that were close. Just not the one I am after.
I did get on to the Milltown Cemetery and asked thgem to check 1882 and 1883 for me but they replied saying thery needed the exact date of death. Oh well.
Many thanks though Elwyn for still trying for me. I have run out of ways now to find his death/burial details.
Regards,
David
David