Who is my McDermott grandfather??

[Surrey Genie]

There's one BIG thing that doesn't add up here.

My father knew his grandmother Bridget - I believe she died in the 1950's. 

So he, and his siblings must have known her name was Delaney and that she had other children.  So surely, they must have known that their father was illegitimate .............  unless she told them she had been widowed.       

My aunt that went searching was the very youngest in the family.  I guess it's possible that she was never told the truth, if the others knew.

I'm tying myself in ever more complicated knots now.     

[hallmark]

"....Margaret is the grandmother - mother of Bridget (or so it seems) and presumably she was Margaret Keegan (widowed or unmarried) when she married William Gallagher....."

So you don't have that Marriage either!!

[hallmark]

So...both are from Sligo, married 30 years in 1911, look for Marriage 1881???

[Surrey Genie]

I've looked, and looked.   Have so far found nothing that fitted.   I presume they married somewhere between Sligo and Carrick, but obvously they could have married anywhere.

Same thing with Bridget's birth, c 1872 Sligo.  Couldn't find that either.

Of course, not all records are available online yet

[Surrey Genie]

Only one Thady Keegan in 1901 - age 39, born Cavan, living in Cavan.

Wife Maggie - interestingly, born in Leitrim.

No children called Thomas though and all their children born in Cavan

[hallmark]

If you look at things... Bridget was only 16 when she had Thomas.

Much easier for Thomas to be introduced to everyone as Margaret's Nephew! Family could all live together, no illegitimate child...... no stigma!

Yes he is on the Census BUT under his "accepted" name, there may be no paperwork other than the Birth Cert in Workhouse.

All Widow Margaret had to do was introduce him as part of her family.... her "Nephew".

[heywood]

Hi Hallmark,

I don't understand that about nephew. He is a grandson in the census. There doesn't seem to be a problem with accepting him as Bridget's son.

SG,

When you contacted the various bodies in Carrick, was that re McDermott or Keegan? I wonder if you could get details from the baptism re sponsors and residence?

Heywood

[Sinann]

Carrick on Shannon is in the RC Parish of Kiltoghart. Yes?
RootsIreland has baptisms up to 1899, it's subscription but they have a €10 for 24 hours.
Maybe someone already has a sub...before any money is spent....
Just saying.....

[hallmark]

Hi Hallmark,

I don't understand that about nephew. He is a grandson in the census. There doesn't seem to be a problem with accepting him as Bridget's son.

SG,

When you contacted the various bodies in Carrick, was that re McDermott or Keegan? I wonder if you could get details from the baptism re sponsors and residence?

Heywood

Introduce him as Nephew to people...... he wouldn't be an illegitimate child of Bridget's then!

I know there is no problem on Census but how else was he to be brought home?? An illegitimate child?  or "as a relation of Margaret"??