Hello Holly:
I am Jim McIntire, related to you distantly from William Staunton's wife, Catherine Gavin (aka Kate Gavan). I have quite a bit of information regarding Catherine's family, should you interested.
Attached is William and Kate's wedding info. As you can see his father was Ulick Staunton, and your great grandfather, being first-born of the marriage, was named after him. James, the second-born of the marriage, was named after Kate's father, James Gavin. The next child after James was a girl, Mary, who I assume was named after Mary (Walsh) Gavin, Kate's mother.
In the early years of the marriage William and Kate resided with James and Mary Gavin on their farm in Ballyshane Townland, Breaghwy Civil Parish, of Castlebar in County Mayo.
The 1901 Irish Census provides a description of the farm. It had a two-room cottage, built of stone or brick (probably the former) with a thatch or wood roof. Two windows fronted it (this was important to the census takers, as England taxed the number of windows on frontages). In addition there was a cowshed and a “piggery”. (I have photos of the cottage, or what is left of it, taken by another of our relatives (Gavin side). I can send them if you like.)
Seven inhabitants were enumerated within the main house. These were James GAVIN (80) and his wife Mary (73), their youngest daughter Catherine (GAVIN) STAUNTON (29) and her husband William (38), and the first three STAUNTON children: Ulick (4), James (2) and Mary (7 mos). William STAUNTON, although listed as a farm laborer, most likely was running the farm due to James’ advanced age (80).
Common to Irish and US censuses of the time was questions concerning literacy. As recorded James and Mary were illiterate. However, William and Kate could read and write. Also, there were two census questions that were interesting, and perhaps uniquely Irish. One concerned the particular religious affiliation of each person. The other was what language each person spoke: Irish only, English only, or both Irish and English. All seven persons were Roman Catholic, and it was noted that James and Mary spoke both Irish and English.
In the 1911 Irish Census James and Mary do not appear, so it is assumed that they passed away during the period between the 1901 and 1911 censuses. Their dates of passing and places of internment are also unknown.
Should you want more information let me know!
