Hannah McGrath of Dungarvan

[Drummerman54]

I am researching my paternal line and have recently found that my Great Grandfather, James West, married Hannah McGrath in the Church of Ireland in Dungarvan on 14/4/1875. I am hopeful that somebody may be able to help me trace other McGrath ancestors. The information I have been able to obtain so far is:

Hannah McGrath was born about 1855. Her father's first name was Patrick, who was a stonemason. After marrying James West, a British soldier with the 34th Regiment of Foot, she went with him to India. They had six children: Kate Elizabeth West (17/12/1875); Mary Ann West (1/11/1876); James West (11/7/1878) (my grandfather); David West (8/6/1880-13/2/1908); Ellena West (14/6/1882); Annie West (either 1/2/1883 or 1/11/1883). It is believed that Kate and Ellena died in infancy.

Hannah West (nee McGrath) died in Agra, India on 12/5/1885 and is buried there. I know that the surviving children went to St Peter's School, Agra: this is a Roman Catholic Private Boarding School: I have been there but the records from my grandfather's time were destroyed in a fire many years ago.

I believe that James West returned to England with the army and died in Hastings, Sussex, England in 1891 aged 39.

I am really pleased to find I have Irish blood; my best friend, who died a few years ago, was a McDonald from Gorey, Co. Wexford.

I have tried without success to find Hannah's birth records or anything else pertaining to her McGrath family. Any help or guidance anybody can give will be gratefully received.

Thank you.
Peter

[ballydw]

Hello Peter Welcome to Rootschat -, re your search for McGraths in Dungarvan Co Waterford. Suggest www.waterfordcountylibrary.ie which has a lot of searchable databases. In the trade directory section for 1881 there is a Denis McGrath Stonemason in Main Street Dungarvan.
www.rootsireland.ie (pay to view site) isnt showing any baptism records for the period of Hannahs birth. It does show a marriage record in Dungarvan in 1856 for a Patrick M'Grath.
www.nationalarchives.ie for Census of 1901 & 1911. Regards Frances

[Drummerman54]

Thank you Frances. I'll keep looking.
Peter

[vasaborg]

Waterford City Library at Lady Lane Waterford city has a Newspaper index 1884 - 1948 that might have information , if you write to them they will search it for you.

[ballydw]

www.historicgraves.ie has memorials in Dungarvan & waterford for McGraths

[Drummerman54]

Thank you all. I have decided to go to Dungarvan in May to seek information in person. I will certainly make use of the advice you have given. You never know, I might meet a distant relation.

[vasaborg]

Slater directory 1846 , Patrick Magrath, Stone Mason, South Terrace Dungarvan.

[Drummerman54]

Thank you vasaborg, I really appreciate the information.

[McGrath Clan]

contact me when you get to Dungarvan and I do my best to help you, only dates I'm away are 13-18th. My grandmother was Hannah but she married into McGrath family.