Hi aghadowey,
Thanks for your reply. I do not have any ideas as to who Mary's parents were. I have looked & posted on a few Nova Scotia websites with no success as yet but will perservere. On the 1911 Dublin census she says she was born in North America but it is family story that it was Nova Scotia. I have her death certificate but of course that does not give any family information apart from her husband. She may well as you suggesst have been from a military family whose father came to Ireland with his daughters.
The Johannah you found is very interesting. As far as the family knew the eldest child of Patrick & Mary was known as Annie [but that could fit in with Johannah especially if a Roman Catholic priest latinised all names] and no-one knew where she was born. She married a Charles McGinty & I have been unable to trace this couple.
The next child thought to have been born is Vincent ca 1878 but no evidence. With your information it will be worth looking in Cork. After that they are well documented from Joseph James [my grandfather] in Killeshandra in 1883 through to Mary in 1894 in Dublin. So the family were elsewhere before 1883. According to the 1911 Dublin census Mary was said to have had 11 children of whom 6 survived. We know of Annie [as we thought she was called], Vincent [must have died young], Joseph 1883, John 1884 [died young], Mary 1 1885 [died young], Bridget 1887, Agnes 1888, Kathleen 1890 & Mary 2 1894. So there are 2 children I have not identified and it is likely they were born [and died] between about 1878 - 1832 and 1890 - 1894. Though perhaps Patrick may have been away during the first period - his army record will show where he was.
The military connection too is worth following and my next intended piece of research is to go to Kew to find Patrick's army record. It will show if he went to North America. He was born in Scotland - in Dudhope Castle used as Dundee Barracks in the 19th century. Patrick was 65 on the 1911 Dublin census and stated he was born in Scotland - my aunt always saying he was born in Dundee Barracks. The 87th Regiment of Royal Irish Fusiliers was posted there in 1845-6 so it seems his father was a soldier too - and probably in Cavan. Patrick was in the 89th [Princess Victoria's]. A visit to Kew should then enable me to find out about his father too. Patrick was a staff sergeant in Cavan - Instructor of Musketry & my sister has a silver topped stick inscribed 'to Sgt Murray IoM from Major Brook'. I attach a pic of Patrick with - I presume - this stick of which he must have been very proud. On retirement from the army he apparently set up a creamery or buttery.
I have searched the Roman Catholic baptism records for Dundee [kept in Edinburgh] for Patrick's birth but I suspect he was baptised on the family's return to Ireland; again I do not know where. Once I know his father's name hopefully from the army records, I can look with more vigour.
Another long post, but I appreciate your interest & useful input and information.
Josey
