The night of the big winds

[melteaser]

My ancestor used to help his daughter look after his gt grandchildren during the war (WWI).
He was known to these kids as Little Granddad, and he was considered to be cranky. They used to tease him because he couldn't read or write. They'd ask him when he was born, knowing he didn't didn't know the actual date or year but his reply was always "I was born on the night of the big wind in Co. Mayo."

Having looked into 'the night of the big winds', I know that it was the 5th/6th January 1839.

So, I know his date of birth and I know it was Co. Mayo....but I don't know where in Co. Mayo.

The surname of this chap is Dacey. Deasy and Deacy are alternatives that have cropped up in my searches. (I guess Darcy and it's alternatives should not be ruled out)

As this storm went down so well in history, I am wondering if there might have been newspaper reports in the area stating the damage and possibly the birth of a child?
This is where I hit problems - I don't know what newspaper(s) would have been in print at the time, would one newspaper cover the whole county?

So, can anyone point me in any direction for Irish newspapers from 1839 please?

[jaylay]

Hi Melteaser

The National Library in Dublin has microfilm of The Mayo Constitution from January 1828 until 1871.  This newspaper was based in Castlebar but probably would have covered news from the whole county.  I would suggest a call to Mayo County Library to see if they also hold it - libraries can be very helpful - they might just do a look-up for you since you have the exact date.

Good luck
Jaylay

[melteaser]

Thanks for that Jaylay, I will contact them in the morning.

Kind Regards

Mel

[leprechaun]

 Mayo The Big Wind.
   Great stories about the wind in Bonniconlon Mayo in 1839.It knocked down trees and brought the thatch off the roofs.People threw stable manure up on the thatch to try and save it.
      The severity of the storm can be gauged from the following story preserved in the folklore of Bonniconlon.A man from Bofield got up on a iron roof,to try and tie it down,and the wind brought himself and the roof all the way to Castleconnor. Another man was bringing in a creel of potatoes into the house but the wind blew the creel from his back.Unless it was essential people did not go out at all.People walking to Ballina,or going in their asses and carts,were afraid to go,so we were told.
  In august 1879,a terrible flood arose from the Glenree river and in all the rivers of the Parish and swept away several bridges.Carranaglough bridge,Rathreedane Bridge, and Kilgarvan Bridge were swept away by the flood,which came after a prolonged thunderstorm and deluge which lasted for several hours. Considerable damage was done to the oat and potato crop.People were in grat distress. Lep

[dee melody]

Hi, have a look at the websites: You can find these by 'googling' night of the big winds county mayo

www.mayoalive.com/MagApr23/BigWind.htm

www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/BigWind.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_of_the_Big_Wind

Dee

[melteaser]

Thank you all for your information.

[leprechaun]

Mel For this area of Mayo. Ballina and surrounding areas I have the Primary Valuation of Tenements 1856.
   The 1901 and 1911 census for the areas.
                 I have looked for the Surnmes Dacey,Deacy, and Deasy.Nothing.
Now in the Electors List 1936/37 I know you G/father may not have been alive.at this time.
    But there was one family by the name of Deasey.At Healy Terrace Ardnaree Ballina. Bridget,Ellen,Stephen,and Michael.
 In 1894 I have no Deasey.
   There is the surname Dempsey. Lep

[melteaser]

Hi Lep, thanks for looking for this info.

You are quite right, my Gt Gt Grandfather died in 1922 in Newcastle, Staffordshire.

I didn't mention that John Dacey moved to England in 1860ish, he was in Manchester on the 1861 census. He married in Manchester in 1862 and then moved to Newcastle. When he married, his father was listed as William Dacey. I believe his mother to have been Catherine Corrigan. John had a slightly younger brother, Owen, who moved to the U.S. You are probably aware that they add the parents names to a death certificate in the U.s., on Owens death certificate, his father is listed as Dominic, his mother Catherine Corrigan.
When John first arrived in England, he was living with a Corrigan family, possibly a relation and a reason to come to England?
But Dominic!? I have not found any other reference anywhere to a Dominic within the family. Johns first and only son was named William.

John was a Catholic. Would I be right in thinking that the Catholic records are kept at the church and so, should I be able to locate the correct town/village, I stand a better chance of finding a birth/baptism for him?

I have been aware of much of this info abourt John for many years but have avoided pursuing it as Irish research is still quite alien to me. I have bought several Irish research guides/reference books over the years and I am only now feeling confident enough to look for a more exact location.

Mel

[leprechaun]

 Hello Mel. Yes the church would maybe have them. But you would have to know which part of mayo and parish he was from.
         Is there no name of parish or townland that you can think of which may give us a clue. Lep.