William Mechan born 1879

[hanes teulu]

William Meechan, age 50, sugarhouse labourer, born Ireland is at 3 Broomhill Street, Greenock, in 1901 - still no clue to 12 yr old Joseph's birthplace ie. "England".

There was a sugar refinery in Drumfrochar Rd in 1879/80 

[sugarbakers]

Sorry, a bit late spotting this one.

I have William on the database for both 81 and 01 censuses, but agree not 91 yet. (Will add the 1879 birth asap)

... Can't find them in 1891, nor can I find a likely birth for Joseph in England.

Might have been Liverpool, plenty of movement between there and Greenock regarding sugarhouse work.

Wonder whether Sugarbakers might have any reference to the sugarhouse William worked at?

I'd love to be able to tell you, but with no employee records surviving for any sugarhouses I can only suggest ...

In 1879 there would have been two refineries on Drumfrochar Road - Berryyards and Clyde.
For the earlier census reference where William was living in Regent St there were sugarhouses in Roxburgh St, Bogle St and two in Sugarhouse Lane, although those in Drumfrochar Rd would have been within easy walking distance.
For 1901, with Broomhill St adjoining Drumfrochar Rd, Berryyards would have been the closest to home as by then it was the only refinery in that road.

Image of Berryyards ... www.mawer.clara.net/refineries.html#green2

[josey]

Great you 'dropped by' 

[sugarbakers]

1891 ... not Liverpool ... not sugar.

1891 census 72 Ann St Greenock
William Meighan 39 Paper Mill Labourer
Elizabeth 38
William 11
Joseph 2

[josey]

Oh good find sugarbakers. Where is Joseph born?

AH only 'England' on ancestry transcription
Greenock West; ED: 45; Page: 24; Line: 6;
Also
Minnie Meighan   16 born Ireland daur

[sugarbakers]

... had to dig the spuds ...

Mine's from Anc as well, Josey - just 'England' - doubt the original says much more, but might be wrong.
<i>Added</i> ... No, original on SP says 'England'.

Minnie born Ireland suggests the marriage was in Ireland too.

[josey]

Minnie born Ireland suggests the marriage was in Ireland too.

It would, but they said on William's birth cert that they were married in 1879 Greenock but no marriage found. Perhaps Minnie was from an earlier marriage of William's... will have a look on rootsireland.ie when I get back from dentist [my, your spuds are early, sugarbakers!!]

[sugarbakers]

Only one Joseph showing up at right time in GRO ...

Joseph Mechan JunQ 1889 West Ham mmn McDonald

(certainly sugar labourers needed there then but ... mmn)

[josey]

Like isobelw [see reply #25] & sugarbakers I also can't find suitable birth. Have looked at MMN for all these variations, no variation of Dowey found. Also looked for Dowey births in case he was registered under mother's name.

Births Jun 1889   
Meaghan    Joseph        Chester le S.    10a   532    
Mechan    Joseph        W. Ham    4a   124    
Births Sep 1889   
Methven    Joseph Frederick        Farnham    2a   103    
Births Mar 1890 
Meachin    Joseph        Prestwich    8d   367    
Births Jun 1890   
MEAHAN    Joseph        Chorlton    8c   873    
MEEHAN    Joseph        Bolton    8c   478