Hope this post isnt too long I need to pick brains! I started researching my Ryan family from Galway 8 years ago. I was helped on my way with some research done for me. Using My g grandfather Michael Ryans marriage (confirmed) and census a 'possible' birth was found and I ran with it. My mums uncle gave me some info about Michaels father Martin Ryan, his occupation was Law clerk as indicated on Michaels marriage record. I kind of sidelined this and went with the Michael born Galway 1872 who was a labourer on all the childrens birth records that I found and built the family I have now. Here then is where it went wrong. with the civil records now on line I wanted to trace all the births, all had father as 'labourer-' during my search of every Ryan in Galway i kept spotting births for father Martin Ryan, Law clerk. What had I done?
I found a Michael born to this father but 4 years earlier, 1868, could this be him? The only record that fits this date is his death record. Has anyone else had this discrepancy? Why would he claim to be 4 years younger? Mums uncle also gave me some of Michaels siblings names and I could never match them until now with the 'new' Martin Ryan. This is also a warning to other researchers that not everything is as it seems and to check everything thoroughly. Any thoughts would be appreciated before I delete my tree as it stands
Thanks for reading.