Athy Registration District

[Sinann]

Looking at possible couples registered in Athy.
There is Richard and Deborah of course
also a Joseph Dowling and Bridget McLoughlin married 15 May 1900

[Sinann]

This appears to be them in 1901
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Kildare/Monasterevan/Boraderra/1435334/
and 1911 with lots of children
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Kildare/Monasterevin/Gorteenoona/538167/

if James is one of theirs that at least 8 Dowling/McLoughlin children on top of your family, in the Monasterevin area.

[Pennines]

Thank you again Sinann. Deborah McLoughlin had a sister named Bridget (as most people in Ireland did!) Born 1878.

I don't have a brother for Richard named Joseph though - although that doesn't mean there wasn't one. I'll look again.
I have sent for the birth certificate for James Dowling b 1912, today - so we'll see. It's just amazing that a Memorial card for him was found in old family papers - complete with picture! It's just a little mysterious gem waiting to be brought to the surface and polished!

Just looked at the census links you have kindly provided. Crikey - Joseph and Bridget didn't hang about after their marriage did they! They are in Monasterevin  - so looks like they are definitely part of the wider family. Great find. Thank you again so much.

[Sinann]

Am I correct in thinking Richard's parents are Thomas Dowling and Mary Costegan, it which case I think that Joseph is too old to be one of their children, perhaps a cousin.

[Pennines]

Sinann - yes you are correct. parents Thomas Dowling and Mary Costigan.

As a bonus - Mary Costigan's mother is present with the family in 1901.

Think Thomas died in 1896.
Good point about the age.