Mystery - Where was my wife's grandfather in the 1901 and 1911 Irish Census

[heywood]

Age 48 so born 1863-
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWMS-DCH
Possibly the same one in 1901-
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X9G4-DNG

Have you posted the right one there for 1901, Aghadowey? Nothing matches up apart from the name.

I posted the 1911 one because of the couple of similarities and thought him worth consideration even though there may be nothing to connect.

I can't see another Hugh in Louth of a similar age nor, unfortunately, can I be sure of the other person with him in the census although the surname and place has a link with Hugh.

I have possibly found the other person though in 1901.

[aghadowey]

Opps- thanks for pointing that out- have crossed off the 1901 one posted in error 

[Wexflyer]

OP, have you checked the local bridewells, hospitals and workhouses to see if there are inmates with roughly the correct age and initials? Also, might have been in army or navy?

[Ruskie]

My first thought was that Hugh might be dead. I don't suppose he had a father named Hugh who may have been the landholder, hence the anomaly? 

[heywood]

I can't see him in 1901 but now I would definitely consider Hugh in Cheltenham in 1911, despite the age difference.

[aghadowey]

Certainly quite a mystery! I searched originally, and again this morning, for Hugh Duffy under initials in case he was in hospital, gaol, etc. but no close candidates (even just searching for H.D., Catholic, anywhere in Ireland and without searching with birthplace Louth.

Going by the birth certificates of the children, Hugh Duffy seems to be alive until at least 1912 and a farmer living in Tulla [Tullaghomeath]. However, in both census years he's not listed.

Hugh died in 1932 and residence listed as Tullyomeath.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1932/04872/4317674.pdf

[heywood]

Yes I saw the death too Aghadowey so all seems ok there.

Maybe he is out fishing or collecting oysters that night or something similar.

[Davo59]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this.
Have rechecked his listed occupations - Marriage Certificate 1892 he was a shepherd. 11 children born between 1894 and 1913. On all birth certificates his occupation was listed as Farmer.
His father was Patrick Ardle Duffy.
Have also located him on Ireland Dog Licence registers 1921/22/23 where he registered a sheepdog. However unable to locate him prior to this nor any dogs registered by his wife. (Perhaps not all records have been digitised yet for that area.)
I guess that perhaps he was absent somewhere and did not want to be counted.

[heywood]

Hi David,
Whilst agreeing with everything you say, i just want to offer my thoughts. I realise that it is all conjecture and you have dismissed the man in Cheltenham but here we go.

Looking at baptisms:
I can only see one Hugh around that time (there may be others which are not online) March 1859 son of Patrick and Mary.
This fits with the age you give for 1901 census and with the father's name of Patrick. I can see a child Ardle amongst the several children to Patrick and Mary.

Hugh married Catherine Elmore - father Henry, deceased, Fishmonger.
Witness Peter Rice and William (I think) Hagan.

These surnames are all local to the area and are plentiful - this can be seen from others on the same page in fact.
Catherine's mother was Ellen Hagan, I think.

There is a Matthew O'Hagan in Cheltenham in 1911 - indexes show he is born Carlingford.
There is a Matthew Hagan in 1901 in Lislea with a mother Mary.
Mathew O'Hagan is also in Cheltenham in 1891 - an Oyster dealer but I can't see him in 1901.
Baptisms show children born to Matthew and Mary Murphy including Matthew and a William.
There could be other Williams of course and the witness may not be a William.

As I said, it is conjecture but failing other sightings, I still think the 1911 Hugh is worth considering. Ages often vary in records so are not reliable.

With regard to the occupation, my grandfather is generally listed as a farmer in records but he was also a fisherman and a stone mason.

I just wanted you to see my reasoning.

Regards
Heywood