William Sweeney b 1807ish

[roopat]

Although I've managed to successfully trace hubby's family in England, I'm a complete beginner when it comes to Irish records, so my own family is a bit of a mystery.

I have William Sweeney aged 34 on the 1841 census in St George, Hanover Sq. district, Middlesex. He and wife Elizabeth (28) are both born County Cork (sorry,no idea where). They have Margaret (7), Johana (3) and Michael (1). I haven't had much luck tracing the children's births on Freebmd to be able to get certificates. Thanks to a lot of help on Rootschat I have them through subsequent censuses in England but I'd like to find out about them before 1841.

I would just appreciate some pointers as to where to start looking pre-1841 please. Or is it a hopeless task?

Apologies if this should be on the Ireland /County Cork board, but I have no idea when they came to England so thought I would start here.

Any advice welcome. Thank you.

Pat 




 

[Milliepede]

What birthplaces do the children have?

[roopat]

Hi Millie.

I have a bit of an IT issue in that a while ago when I was starting out (and had a sub to Ancestry) I didn't save images of all the censuses, just the transcripts.     so that isn't helpful, I know.

I do have the 1861 image when they were living in Chelsea, with Johanna (23), Dominick (17) and John (13). All three children born in Chelsea, Middlesex.

John is my great grandfather.

I'm sorry my info is so sketchy. I had been content to track them in England 1841 onwards but since the Irish Catholic records became available online I got interested in them again!

Thank you for your interest. I fear it's a lost cause. 

Pat

[Milliepede]

Sorry I'm not finding any of the BMD's either   

I wondered if they were registered with the Irish versions of their names but nothing that fits with Sweeney. 

None of the children were born Ireland according to the census.  Wonder if parents were married in Ireland before coming to England.

[Milliepede]

In 1851 I think they are under Smuny

William 44
Elizabeth 40
William 20 born Ireland
Margaret 17 born Kensington
Johana 13 born Pimlico
Michael 10 born Pimlico
Domenick 6 born Pimlico
John 4 born Chelsea

So they must have come to England between birth of William who is down as son and Margaret.

[Milliepede]

If we could trace the William born Ireland on later census there might be a more specific place of birth.

If all the others were born in London then I can't find registrations for any of them.  No reason they would be under mother's maiden name I suppose but we don't know that either to check. 

[Milliepede]

Found a possible wife and 3 children for Dominic in 1871 but again no trace of the marriage or births for the children.  Chelsea must have a black hole to which we cannot enter. 

[roopat]

Chelsea must have a black hole to which we cannot enter. 

 . That's a brilliant comment! I think it's more likely the Sweeneys didn't bother with such things as official birth registrations.

I never tried going sideways (Dominick etc), at the time I started I just concentrated on my direct line. It looks like a session at the library is called for to really get my head round this lot now I've picked them up again.

Thanks so much for your help, Millie. Have replied to your PM

Pat