Buried together but not related (2)

[kelly]

Great detective work from all involved!! 

I wonder if I could pose a similar problem for you to solve (at least as far as the title of the thread is concerned) which is exercising my mind at the moment?

Here are the facts as far as I have them:-

I recently traced the burial plot for my Great Grandfather, John Joseph KELLY (died Jan 1897)aged 91  In the plot with him were:-

 * Two of his sons who died in childhood,  both called Thomas
* His wife Mary (nee REYNOLDS) who died in 1905 aged 51
*His brother Thomas who died in 1915 aged 64
*His son Edward who died in 1921 aged 41
and a  Michael COONEY who died in 1933 aged 49

COONEY was a name that I couldn't tie in with my family but I have since been able to establish that Michael COONEY married John and Mary KELLY's daughter, Mary Teresa KELLY in 1906 - so the problem appeared to be solved, Michael COONEY was John KELLYs son in law.

However, I have just received details of the burial plot for John KELLYs wife's family, the REYNOLDS's.  In this plot there is yet another COONEY  - (John)

In this plot are:-
* Patrick REYNOLDS (Mary KELLY's father). He died in 1884 aged 68.
*Catherine REYNOLDS his wife who died 1876 aged 52
Thomas Reynolds, their son who died 1876 aged 16
John COONEY who died aged 78 in 1953.

I am puzzled as to why John COONEY (maybe Michael's brother?) would have been in the REYNOLDS' plot.

Any suggestions please?

[casalguidi]

Hi Kelly

I assume that this is a private burial plot

Perhaps, and this is only a suggestion, the deeds/ownership of the plot were/was in the possession of Mary COONEY nee KELLY ................... John COONEY, a relative of hers (like you say in law perhaps) died and she said "I know where there's a spare place he can be buried" if perhaps he or his famiy had no money for a burial plot

Like I said, it's only a suggestion - I expect others can come up with other suggestions too.

Perhaps you could trace Michael and John COONEY back?

Where did these burials take place?

Casalguidi

[kelly]

Yes, thanks Casalguidi

I hadn't thought of that possibility - I just seemed to be going round and round in circles!

The plot was a private one at Ford Cemetery, nr. Liverpool.
I have just started to look for both Michael and John COONEY but haven't been able to find them on the Liverpool census (where all the KELLYs and REYNOLDS's lived) for '81,91 or 01.

By my reckoning Michael would have been born c.1884 and John circa 1875.

Kelly

[casalguidi]

Do you have all these entries from the burial registers/grave registers and grave purchase registers if they survive?  If not, that might be the next avenue to explore as well as funeral reports/obituaries in the local newspaper.  This avenue of research might be cheaper than purchasing death/marriage certifcates for the COONEY men if you can access the records.

Unfortunately, I am not familiar with that area at all so can't advise on what is available and where.

Casalguidi

[kelly]

The details I have are from the burial registers, but I will try the obituaries in the papers as you suggest.

Many thanks for your help.

Kelly

[casalguidi]

Yes, the burial register entry for John COONEY should have shown you where he died/where body conveyed from so that's a good place to start

Casalguidi

[annaandchester]

Yet another stranger in the grave!! Tut tut tut

I hope you manage to crack this mystery - I am so thrilled with getting to the bottom of mine (well I didnt get to the bottom of it - Casalguidi and MaryA did but hey ho) Hopefully one day Ill be as good a lateral thinker and Ill break down my own brick walls

Anna x

[kelly]

Hi Anna

Excellent news that you've got a solution to your stranger in the grave! 

Rootschatters are brilliant aren't they at looking outside the box and coming up with the right answers.

Thanks to Casalguidi, I've now got some avenues to explore.

Best wishes
Kelly

[annaandchester]

I couldnt agree more with you!

Anna x