My mother was taken from her family in approx: 1906 along with her two brothers. Her name was Jane Ann Weldridge, her dad was Nicholas and mam Bridget/brigid. She was put in a convent orphanage, and never saw her family until the day she died. She lived in Baldoyle, Co: Dublin. The family is on the 1901 census, but is not on the 1911 census. She married my dad in Dublin. He was in the Free State Army, and she in service. She left Ireland on the day she married and left for Liverpool the same day.
She never knew why she and her brothers were put in an orphanage, but presumed her dad had died. When she died in 1979 i started searching, and two years ago managed to contact family members of her two brothers.
One side didn't want to know and didn't think their gran
would put a child in an orphanage, although they heard a vague rumour that their grandparents had a sister.
Fortunately, the other brothers family were very friendly
and we met in Dublin last year, a 100 years after it happened. From what we gleaned, her two older brothers went to the orphanage to bring her out, but they were told she had died, so away they went. It's sad to reflect
that when eventually she was put into service her mam and brothers were only a couple of miles away.
However here's the rub, i was taken to her grave [unmarked] in the old Kinseely cemetery. Later after a few drinks in the 'Sheaf of Wheat' an old relative started to open up and, said not to judge my gran to harshly, as it was very possible the children were taken from her because of her rebel leanings and activities. This stunned me, and then went on to say she was in and out of Kilmainham and Wicklow jails.
The following day we went to Kilmainham and saw the
archivist, who said many many names were not recorded, though one was close to it a 'Brigid Bryan' as opposed to Bridget 'Brien, but as the copy was indistinct, it was possible it was her, but couldn't be sure[i'm not sure either], did i know which organisation she was with. Of course i didn't know. On talking further with the guide/historian, he suggested the church could have had them removed. I have had a trace and search done for Nicholas from 1901-1910 with no results. I couldn't understand this as mam thought he died about 1906. However later on that night my son in law who is a helicopter instructor, and who helped train the garda helicopter crew in Liverpool on the merseyside helicopter was doing a return meet with some of the garda lads, so that night he mentioned it to one of the old retired officers. He looked at him, and said if it's true he was involved with the cause, it could have been as simple as he was spotted on his own, and quitely dropped.
Therefore, no Name, no grave, no record. But i find all this hard to believe, whilst not doubting anyone's voracity.
SO. Are there any records of members of the organisations active at the time, or any suggestions. I believe Larkin and Connoly recruited in the Coolock area.
My grandad was Nicholas Weldridge, though michael at birth, and my gran was Bridget 'brien/O'brien or Bridget Weldridge.
Any suggestions would be welcome.
