James Durkan born abt 1888, possibly in Mayo.

[pick]

James Durkan married Margaret Lennon in 1906. The Free BMD says Gateshead and I wondered if, being Catholics, they were married at St Patricks in Felling. I am trying to find out who his parents were. Can anyone help before I need to send for a copy of the marriage certificate?
Many thanks
Kathleen

[iluleah]

Have you searched the 1901 Irish census to see if you can find 13yr old James this is a possible http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai001090093 there are also 3 potential James aged 14. If you do get the marriage cert then you can cross reference with the census.

[pick]

Thank you for your help, I will certainly try that.
Kathleen

[MonicaL]

Hi Kathleen

Is this the right entry for James and Margaret in 1911?

This James showing as born c. 1881 in his 1911 census entry https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWTK-NPV (you need to be signed in to view).

Monica

[iluleah]

Margaret Lennon only single one on the 1901 in Mayo http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai001069081/

If the census is correct that MonicaL added and also the year of birth for James then there are more James that could fit on the Irish census who are older than 13/14yrs

[pick]

Hi Monica and Iluleah, I'm afraid its not them. As far as I know James Durkan lived in South Shields area after leaving Ireland . Margaret was from county Durham. I followed your link Iluleah and found some Lennons in Mayo which may be the right family and I will cross check them with a marriage cert when I order it. I am doing this for a friend and am amazed at how difficult they are to track down. Of course the north east was full of Irish families in the 19th century -I should know as that's when my lot arrived!!
Many thanks to you both
Kathleen

[heywood]

Hi Kathleen,
Do you have the family in 1911?
I can see some births with parents Durkan/Lennon registered in Lanchester but can’t see them in 1911 indexes.

Heywood

[MonicaL]

Kathleen, from where have you got the possible birth year of 1888 for James?

I am wondering if this is them in 1911, with the name trancribed as DURHAM: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWHR-7M2

There are these two possible births in the Lanchester District:

Anne Durkan 1st QRT 1909 ref 10a/338
James Durkan 2nd QRT 1910 ref 10a/340

You can then pick up on the further births mentioned by Haywood from 1st Qrt 1911 in the Lanchester and South Shields districts.

Monica

[MonicaL]

Possibble birth for this Margaret Lennon in 3rd QRT 1885 - Lanchester - ref 10a/267

Possible 1891 entry for this Margaret at Whitlehead, Tanfield, Durham?

James Lennon 30 coal miner b. Scotland
Mary A Lennon 28 b. Tanfield, Durham
Joseph Lennon 8 b. Tanfield, Durham
Margaret Lennon5 b. Tanfield, Durham
Frances Lennon   3 b. Tanfield, Durham
John Cockram 18 boarder coal miner b. Scotland

Monica