RootsChat.Com
Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Topic started by: gaffy on Saturday 27 January 18 15:04 GMT (UK)
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Might seem a silly question, but in case someone already knows the answer and can avoid nugatory effort on my part...
The forename Seán/Sean appeared only 150 times in the 1911 Ireland census, almost exclusively with Irish surnames. And searching for the same forename brings back no 'hits' in the 1901 Ireland census. And yes, there were a few 'Shauns' and 'Shawns', but the number isn't material.
Likewise the forename Séamus/Seamus appeared only 330 times in the 1911 Ireland census, with a mere 7 'hits' in 1901.
I'm surprised how few occurrences there were in 1911 and baffled by the 1901 results. Am I doing something wrong in my search? If not, my next question is... Why?
I could find no ready answer on the internet. I could start tracking back the 1911 folk to 1901 to see what they're called, but as I said, I'm hoping someone already has an answer...
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I'd suggest looking for John and James instead
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I'd suggest looking for John and James instead
But why so few Seán/Sean and Séamus/Seamus in the first place?
And why would the few in 1911 be called John and James in 1901?
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dont think you see many births marriages or deaths at that time as Séan or Séamus either, but at least some could have been known as the Irish version of their names.
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I see just 11 births registered as Sean (none as Séan) between 1890 and 1911
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This might help explain it
https://www.irishfamilyhistorycentre.com/article/the-irish-language-and-the-1901-and-1911-irish-censuses
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This might help explain it
https://www.irishfamilyhistorycentre.com/article/the-irish-language-and-the-1901-and-1911-irish-censuses
That's what I was going to say, the Gaelic Revival, apart from first names it's also when the Mc and O begin to return to the surnames.
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I agree; I have done a lot of transcribing of Ireland BMDs from the 1860s - 1890s. Virtually all had Anglicised names. All the people in my tree from Ireland born 1800 - 1940 have Anglicised names too.
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Thank you for the link heywood and thanks to everyone, that's been helpful.
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Within the families that I've researched, many of them became more "patriotic" over the years
aunt Eileen was called after grand-mother Ellen
uncle Joe was registered as an O'Byrne in 1922 - his older siblings were Byrne.
the electoral rolls see Julia Doyle becoming Sheila Doyle for a few years, and then reverting to Julia
(and several other similar examples)
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It is a most striking phenomenon eadaoin, I for one am pleased that Seán/Sean has come back from virtual extinction.
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I can't tell this story properly because everyone is living but the gist of it goes..
My niece visiting her grandmother in hospital is looking funny at the nurse as the nurse speaks to grandmother.
I said, you didn't know that was your Granny's real name did you?
No
While we're at it your uncle - isn't he's - and your aunty - isn't she's -.
Ahh
Sister in law joins in
Your other Granny isn't - either she's -
This family is mad, is Daddy really -
Yes he is
Phew, crazy family.
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well, Sinann, I changed some of the details above, but the gist is correct!