Help with finding my grandads birth

[jo1962]

Hi all,
My grandfather was called John Joseph McNally and was born in Meath.  My dad told me his birthday was 7th January, possibly 1905/6. Apparently his parents died when he was very young and he went to live with his paternal grandparents in Dundalk.  I've managed to trace him on the 1911 census living in haggardstown with his widowed grandmother and aunts and uncles. I've also just today found his marriage record in 1933 at St Patricks church, Dundalk to my grandmother Bridie Byrne. His father is listed as John McNally, a labourer; it doesn't say anything about him being deceased.  What I am really stuck with is finding his birth. I've looked at civil registration records (thats how I found his marriage)  but there is no birth that I can see is relevant.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Jo

[Elwyn Soutter]

Apparently his parents died when he was very young and he went to live with his paternal grandparents in Dundalk.  I've managed to trace him on the 1911 census living in haggardstown with his widowed grandmother and aunts and uncles. I've also just today found his marriage record in 1933 at St Patricks church, Dundalk to my grandmother Bridie Byrne. His father is listed as John McNally, a labourer; it doesn't say anything about him being deceased.  What I am really stuck with is finding his birth. I've looked at civil registration records (thats how I found his marriage)  but there is no birth that I can see is relevant.

Jo

Both parents dying young could well be true. But it could also be a euphemism. Sometimes when a child was illegitimate, it was placed with grandparents. The child’s birth would often be registered only under the mother’s name. (With an illegitimate birth the father’s name only appears if he is present at the registration and confirms paternity. Otherwise the mother might possibly name anyone, with obviously awkward consequences later).

Have you searched the indexes under the mother’s surname? Have you searched for a marriage for the parents? Have you searched for their deaths?

With Irish marriage certificates, when the father is dead, it doesn’t always say “deceased” after his name. Some Priests/Ministers did note that information, many did not. I wouldn’t draw any conclusions either way.

[jo1962]

Hi Elwyn,
Many thanks for your reply.  I did wonder if he was illegitimate...  However I've no way of knowing as I don't know his mothers name.  As he's living with his grandmother and spinster aunts I did wonder if one of them could be the real mother, but without finding a possible birth registration I've no way of knowing.
Cheers, Jo

[myluck!]

FTR

1911 census - LINK
1901 census for same family - LINK

Hugh McNALLY m Mary CLARKE on Nov 09 1862 in Ardee, Co. Louth
This couple had a son John who was born Mar 01 1864

There is a marriage on Nov 27 1897 between a
John McNALLY (Father Hugh) and Mary JOHNSON (Father Patrick)
in Dromiskin, Co. Louth
This I think is them on the 1901 census LINK
This couple had a John Joseph McNALLY in the NAVAN district on Sept 07 1905 Group Reg# 496168
Father shown as John McNALLY Mother shown as JOHNSTON

I don't see them on the 1911 census
Apologies the computer I am at is not allowing me access irishgenealogy.ie to give links

[dathai]

from 1911 census Margaret McNally and John Grant
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1910/09983/5630480

John McNally and Mary Johnson
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1897/10472/5813662

John Joseph
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1905/01764/1694644

[myluck!]

thanks dathai 

[dathai]

1901
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Meath/Tara/Riverstown/1618258/

[dathai]

possible birth
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F51C-RBT

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1864/03627/2339174

[jo1962]

Thank you so much for your help and the links, you've really given me something to go on 
Cheers, Jo