Where can I obtain a birth certificate?

[ning26]

Hi -

My Great Grandmother, Martha Davis, was born circa 1878 (Headstone reads she was 64 when she died Nov 1942) - and I have no idea who her father was! Or what her mother's maiden name was.

Her mother was Rachel Davis.  I have found a birth record for a Martha Davy, mother Rachel Davy, father George Davy, born in the High Cairn, Donegal, which is, indeed - where she was born! But it gives her birth date as Jan 1879.

There are other family trees that claim her and all have a variety of birthdates, and different fathers and mothers - I hope that if I can get a copy of the birth certificate it will answer a few questions.....!

Thanks!

[aghadowey]

Did she marry? if so, does certificate or register give clues to name of either parent?

[hallmark]

If a child was born late Dec the birth might not be registered until Jan in Reg Office.

[gaffy]

A Martha Davis was baptised on 4 January 1882 in Ramelton First Presbyterian Church, parents George Davis and Rachel Stevenson of High Carn, the date of birth recorded at baptism was 25 November 1878.

[gaffy]

Presumably her in 1901 and 1911:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Donegal/Rathmelton/Carn_High/1193563/

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Donegal/Rathmelton/Carn_High/503367/

[gaffy]

Familysearch has an "Ireland Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881" record for a Martha Davy born 23 January 1879 at High Cairn Donegal with the father's name being George Davy (matches what you said), however the mother's name is given as Rachel Stevenson Davy. Can't post the link, but easy to find.

[gaffy]

Can't see a marriage yet, looking at other options, there was a George Davis of High Cairn who died on 4 February 1888, he was a bachelor, formerly a small farmer, the reported age at death was 85 and the informant was a William Stevenson of Clooney.

I think you have no option but to order a research photocopy from GRO Roscommon of the Martha Davy birth registered Millford, Jan-Mar 1879, volume 2 page 281.

[gaffy]

A likely birth for 40 year old daughter Margaret in the 1911 census return shows address as Cairn (Ramelton), father as James Davis and mother as Rachel Stevenson, Margaret Anne Davis was born 4 February 1868.

Other children to this James Davis / Rachel Stevenson named couple included Joseph Davy b. 1865, address High Cairn, Ellen Davis b. 1867 (same address), Sarah Jane Davis b. 1870 (same address), Eliza Mary Davis b. 1872 (same address), and Rachel Davis b. 1875. (same address).

A James Davis of High Cairn died on 10 August 1876, he was reported as a 64 year old farmer, informant and present at death was one Rachel Davis of High Cairn.
 
And just to recap, Rachel Stevenson Davis then had daughter Martha in 1878/9, the father being a George Davis.

[ning26]

Many thanks to all of you! 

You've discovered new facts!

 Rachel was an interesting woman!  My grandmother had wonderful stories about her - wish I'd asked for more!

Now to order a few birth certificates....!