Collins of Dundalk

[Nessie]

Francis J Collins was born in Dundalk 1842, son of Patrick Collins and Mary Brackney.His father was a butcher in Clanbrassil Street and Francis followed in his footsteps until 1864 when he came to Manchester. The following year he joined Leeds City Police in August 1865.
Any information on this family would be greatly appreciated.

[Christopher]

Hello Nessie,

Mary Collins, Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk is shown as being the head of the household.
I assume this means Patrick died sometime between 1842 and 1854.

http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/louth/dundalk.htm Griffiths Valuation - Louth 1854

Best Wishes,  Christopher

[Nessie]

Thank You Christopher, Francis would have only been 12 years old at this point, but was probably already working as a butchers assistant. I know he joined the police in Leeds in 1864, but the trail ends there as there is no trace of him in the 1871 census. But family history recounts that my Great Grandmother Margaret Collins came to visit her uncle who was in the police in Leeds in the 1880's. So it is a mystery where Francis disappeared to prior to that point. But she was married from another policemans house in Leeds called Benjamin Crew.