St Helen's Catholic Church, Hoyland, Nr Barnsley

[eagleye]

This is really a shot in the dark.

Looking for any Church related info on HALPIN held in
Sacred Heart & St Helen's
Hoyland, Yorks

I am particularly looking for burial records of Michael and Mary Halpin, b. 1830 and 1833 Ireland.  I have found 2 death records in Barnsley district on FreeBMD which could be them, but the ages at death do not tally.

My ancestors were very closely connected with this church.  I have traced grandfather Richard Halpin's marriage there in 1904 and I know he and his wife Catherine sang in the choir for many years.  His children and siblings and their offspring must all have attended this church and some will also have been married and baptised there.  The church has a website and on it are old photographs showing a J Halpin and an M Halpin who are bound to be rellies though it's unclear who they are from the photos as there are more people than names, neither are the photos dated.

I contacted the parish priest for more info on the photos or for any other info on Halpins but received no reply.  I also contacted a cousin who is one of the Church Reps but again no reply.  Nobody seems to want to help.

If anyone lives nearby and can make a trip to the church, even if only to inspect gravestones there I would be most grateful.

Thanks,
Eagleye

[Kennethmar]

I will look to see if I can find anything in the church records at my FHS Doncaster
KenM

[eagleye]

Thanks KenM, that's very kind.

Eagleye

[Kennethmar]

We do not have the church records form
 Hoyland in the Doncaster F H S.
I looked through all th ajecent records that we have but could not find any Halpen's.
Suggest you try the Barnsley or Sheffield areas. as it is close to them. There is High Hoyland as well as Hoyland.
Sorry.
KenM

[eagleye]

Thank you very much for looking anyway KenM.

Perhaps some other kind soul will see this and offer to look in the Barnsley/Sheffield one.  Wish I could do it myself but don't even live in the country.

Regards,
Eagleye

[elsie52]

Hi Eagleye,

I have had a look in my local phone directory which covers Hoyland, and I can't find a number for St Helens. However, I have found a website for St Helens Catholic Primary School, West Street, Hoyland. It's a long shot, but maybe worth giving a try as there must be a connection.

If the church and graveyard are still there, it might make an interesting project for the children!

The site is www.sthelenscatholic.ik.org/

I am going on holiday, otherwise I would take a look myself. If you don't get any joy, then let me know and I can look when I get back.

Good luck,
Linda

[elsie52]

Ooooops should have read your posting a bit better. I'm still willing to have a look if need be, let me know.

Linda

[eagleye]

Hi Linda,

I'd be very grateful if you could have a look. 

There may well also be a gravestone for Thomas and Mary GALLAGHER, b. 1840 and 1851, another set of relations.  I have some rough notes written by a distant rellie and it says they are "interred in the catholic cemetery adjoining chuch grounds" but doesn't say which church.  I am pretty sure he meant St Helen's as they also lived in Hoyland for many years.

It's the Halpins I am most interested in though.

Happy hols,
Regards,
Eagleye

[elsie52]

O K eagleye, I am away for two weeks but will check it out when I get back.

Cheers,
Linda