Hello, I am related to Margaret McWilliams who was the sister of my gggrandfather John Heny McWilliams who moved to Birkenhead, Cheshire some time in the 1870's (I am also a McWilliams). I have a copy of her marriage from the Irish records:- Margaret married Nicholas HOPKINS on 20th May 1872 in the Church of Tullow, Tullow, County Carlow, Ireland according to the Rites & Ceremonies of the Church of Ireland. Information from the marriage certificate:-
Margaret McWILLIAMS, of full age, spinster, a Servant, living in the Parish of Tullow, daughter of Robert McWILLIAMS, a Post-Man &c, married Nicholas HOPKINS, of full age, widower, a Cooper living in the Parish of Tullow, son of Ben HOPKINS, a Farmer.
The marriage was witnessed by John CARROLL & Richard MEREDITH.
I also have copies of the birth/death entries of their 10 children. This is the entry for James: James HOPKINS born 23rd September 1878 in The Mullawn, Tullow, Carlow, son of Nicholas HOPKINS of The Mullawn, Tullow, a Cooper, & Margaret HOPKINS formerly McWILLIAMS, registered by Margaret HOPKINS, mother, residing in Tullow on 25th October 1878.
The baptism from the church records: James born 25th September 1878, son of Nicholas and Margaret HOPKINS. Abode: Mullawn, Tullow, Carlow; father’s occupation – Cooper. Baptized 12th January 1879.
I have the following marriage from the Irish records:
11th May 1900 at St. Columba’s Church, Tullow, County Carlow, Ireland according to the Rites & Ceremonies of the Church of Ireland.
James HOPKINS, of full age, bachelor, a Cooper, living at ?, Tullow, son of Nicholas HOPKINS, a Cooper, married Mary TOOLE, of full age, spinster, living in Clure Street, Tullow, daughter of Timothy TOOLE, 4 Sergeant R.I.C.?
The marriage was witnessed by James HOPKINS & Margaret HOPKINS.
And this concerns Timothy Toole: Timothy TOOLE, born in Queens County, married, enlisted in the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1866, aged 19.
(Source: The Royal Irish Constabulary 1816 – 1921 on the Ancestry.com website).
Queens County was the former name of County Laois.
Looking at the 1901 census, taken on 31st March 1901, for Crosskeys, Tullow, James & Mary were living in Mary’s father’s household:-
Timothy TOOLE Head Roman Catholic 56 Police Pensioner RIC Queens County
Johanna TOOLE Wife Roman Catholic 54 House Keeper County Tipperary
Timothy TOOLE Son Roman Catholic 19y 6m Labourer County Carlow
Thomas TOOLE Son Roman Catholic 17y 3m Labourer County Carlow
Michael TOOLE Son Roman Catholic 14y 6m Labourer County Carlow
James TOOLE Son Roman Catholic 10y 4m Scholar County Carlow
James HOPKINS Head Church of England 22 Cooper County Carlow
Mary HOPKINS Wife Roman Catholic 24 House Keeper County Carlow
Mary HOPKINS Daur Roman Catholic 2y 1m County Carlow
In 1911 James wasn’t at home but Mary was not a widow either so perhaps he was working elsewhere, perhaps England.
The 1911 census for Barrack Street, Tullow, taken 2nd April 1911:-
Mary HOPKINS Head Roman Catholic 36 Seamstress County Carlow
Mary HOPKINS Daur Roman Catholic 11 Scholar County Carlow
Margaret HOPKINS Daur Roman Catholic 9 Scholar County Carlow
Sarah HOPKINS Daur Roman Catholic 8 Scholar County Carlow
James HOPKINS Son Roman Catholic 6 County Carlow
Annie HOPKINS Daur Roman Catholic 5 County Carlow
Nicholas HOPKINS Son Roman Catholic 3 County Carlow
John TOOLE Broth.Roman Catholic 34 Labourer County Carlow
Mary had been married for 12 years with 7 children born alive, 6 of which were still living.
I hope this helps with your search.
Tony McWilliams