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Hi,

On the 1861 census I have a 27 year old man that lists his occupation as Medieval Artist.

Would anyone know what this may have involved?  If you google medieval art, there isn't much for this for c. 1861 time period.

He ended up becoming a Franciscan 4 years later.

Thanks.

Judy

Hi,

Still going in circles with this Cowsill bunch.  I tracked down 2 of them Mary and Hannah Cowsill, born Lymm on census.

In 1901 Hannah is an aunt with an Ackerley family (including Hardy nieces & nephews)
In 1881 Mary Cowsill is an aunt with the Hardy family in Huddersfield and there is a visitor Elizabeth Massey.  Wife in this household is Rachel Hardy who turns out to be Rachel Massey by birth.

Going backwards from 1901 and 1881, I end up with a Joseph Massey, wife Elizabeth and children in 1851 in Timperley.  Elizabeth's birth matches the visitor in 1881 in Huddersfield, and also the birthdate of a sister Elizabeth to Hannah & Mary Cowsill.

Checking both Cheshire BMD and Free BMD I can find a Joseph Massey marrying an Elizabeth, but not with the surname Cowsill.

For 1841 I have the Cowsill family in Lymm, but missing daughters Elizabeth, Ann and Sarah.  I found Ann in Lancashire, but have no idea where Elizabeth or Sarah went to.
Sarah married Richard Hurstfield in 1847.

If someone could check specifically for Elizabeth Cowsill/Massey? (born abt. 1817, Lymm) 1841 it would be appreciated.

If anyone could advance a theory on why these Cowsill women are aunts to seemingly unrelated people, or where I might begin unravelling this, it would be great!

Thanks.

Judy

Hi,

Have been going in circles with my great grandparents and could use some advice.

Family has them as Michael McDonald and Mary Ann Smith.  Lore has Michael coming from the Ballymena area and a Protestant.  No one ever said where Mary Ann came from, only that she was Catholic and Michael converted when they were married in Liverpool.

Information I have unearthed:
Marriage between Michael McDonnell, widower, age 32 and Mary Anne Sherriff, widow, age 30, married Aug. 21, 1876 at St. Ann's Catholic Church, West Derby.  Fathers are James McDonnell (deceased), Farmer and Joseph Smith, Builder.

Birth of my grandfather Leo McDonald, Apr. 11, 1877, Woodside St. (same as the marriage cert), parents Michael McDonald and May McDonald formerly Smith.

Birth of daughter Esther Ann McDonnell to Michael McDonnell and Mary Ann formerly Smith.

1881 census has
Michael MacDonnell, age 32, born Ireland
Mary A. MacDonnell, age 38, born Ireland
George Sheriff, step son, age 18?, born Liverpool
Leo MacDonnell, son, age 3, born Liverpool
Esther A. MacDonnell, dau, age2, born Liverpool
Mary Smith, mother-in-law, Widowed, age 63, born Ireland

Birth of son Christopher William MacDonnell to Michael MacDonnell and Mary Ann late Sherriff formerly Smith

Another son born but I don't have his cert. yet.

1891
Michael McDowell, age 40, born Ireland
Mary Ann McDowell, age 43, born Ireland
Geo Turner, age 13, born Liverpool
Chestford Joseph, age 9, born Liverpool
Bernard, age 6, born Liverpool

1901
Mich McDonald, age 52, born Ireland
Mary Ann, age 59, born Ireland
Leo, age 23, born Liverpool
Chris, age 17, born Liverpool
Bernard, age 15, born Liverpool

1901 seems to use the name I was raised with, McDonald.  In all these census they never say where in Ireland they were from

Michael died in Canada on Mar. 30, 1922, obit lists him as 80 years old.  The death certificate had a Sister of Charity as the informant.  She listed his age as 80 and his birthplace as Sligo, parents unknown.

There seems to be discrepancies in age and I have been unable to find one document, other than the death certificate filled out by a nun, that says where he was born.  Mary Ann Smith Sherriff McDonald died in England and also has no mention of birthplace other than Ireland.

Griffiths Valuation for James McDonald (father to Michael) had listings in 18 counties.
I haven't looked into Joseph Smith (father of Mary Anne) yet and imagine it would be a large number as well.

So as I began this epic post, where do I start?  Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Judy

Hi,

Am looking for a Houston family originally from Frome.  I have been able to find only one family group left in Frome in 1841.

The father Alexander John Houston appears to have died in Bristol in 1838, wife died Frome 1818.  One son also died in Bristol 1838.  Hoping to find at least son Robert Houston still in Bristol.

Thanks for any consideration.

Judy