David Driscoll, born Merthyr Tydfil

[heywood]

Hi Judy,
That is very interesting. You must be thrilled.
I was looking for Ann with the family in earlier censuses and couldn't. I think she may be Gwenllian who is 6 yrs old in 1841. She calls one of her daughter's that name also.

Heywood

[heywood]

Possibly Daniel - writing is not good but does look like Driskil

1851 2458/425/38

Victor Street Merthyr

Denis Drickil   35 yrs Labourer b Ireland
Wineford Drickil   40 yrs b Ireland
Jeremiah Drickil   19 yrs Fireman
Daniel Drickil   15 yrs Labourer
Ellen Drickil   13 yrs
Mary Drickil   11 yrs
William Drickil 8 yrs
Plus lodgers
Children born Merthyr.

[aghadowey]

I have Driscoll connections (Cork to Cardiff to America) and half the time they are listed in records as O'Driscoll so that's another version of the surname to look for.

[judy purssell]

I have mixed feelings about being the descendant of a mine owner.  The conditions and pay were awful, the mines were dangerous and the miners died of illnesses related to breathing the coal dust for hours on end.  I know that my grandmother was desperately poor, and my memory of her village is dark grey slag heaps, dark grey houses and despondent people.  Not a good image.  However, on the up-side, the people were friendly, caring, hardworking and optimistic.  Takes a lot to keep us down, doesn't it?

[judy purssell]

After a long break, I have finally found time to continue the search.

I have followed up on the fact that the name of Daniel and Ann was spelled Driskel, and have found them in Pennsylvania in 1870, with 3 year old Maggie.  So I looked for David Driskel being born after they returned in 1871, and found two - one Registration No. is 11a 399, and the other is 11a 388, both in December 1872, Merthyr T.  I can't believe that two boys were born in the third quarter of 1872 with the same name, so one of these must be wrong.  How can I find out - any ideas please?

[aghadowey]

There are probably just 2 possiblities-
1) the page number was hard to decipher and has been listed as both 388 and 399
2) there were 2 boys of the same name registered in the same quarter- if there are a large number of Driscolls in the area it is more likely