Nolan brothers in Erdington 1920s

[Velma76]

Hello all

I'm trying to find any trace of three brothers who came to live in Birmingham from Fore East, Westmeath, in the early 20's. Thanks to fantastic Irish records, I can be sure of their birthdates

Michael Joe Nolan (1891)
Edward John Nolan (1895)
Thomas Nolan (1898)

...but there is little record of them in Birmingham. I found likely death dates (1969/1972/1975 respectively) but the names are hardly unusual so I can't rely on the registration alone.

The story
My recent DNA test flagged two second cousins with a secure match. They know their link to each other (a great grandfather), but mine remains elusive. The family are pretty solid around the Westmeath area and I have no traceable ancestry there. Except, my new cousin tells me that three brothers of their great grandfather came to Birmingham in the 20's where my family were/are largely based.

My Nan was born in 1926 and had no named father on her birth certificate. Her mother never named her father, even informally.

I think there's a good chance one of the brothers is my great grandfather. It seems the most logical link. I will probably never know for sure, but I'd like to find some trace of the brothers to see where they were living/working, and how likely their paths might have crossed with my great grandmother.

Thanks in advance for any info or advice!

[Cas (stallc)]

Welcome to Rootschat

Have you tried the 1939 register? Index is free to search. Sub or credits needed to view full entry.

https://www.findmypast.co.uk/1939register

Cas

[Velma76]

Welcome to Rootschat

Have you tried the 1939 register? Index is free to search. Sub or credits needed to view full entry.

https://www.findmypast.co.uk/1939register

Cas

I had no idea it even existed, thank you!

[Cas (stallc)]

There is this death, as mentioned

EDWARD JOHN NOLAN
Birth day   9 March 1895
Death quarter   3
Death year   1972
District   Birmingham
County   Warwickshire
Volume   9C Page   357

1939 register gives his birth year as 1894. Death info depends on informant.

Unable to post look ups in 1939 due to copyright

[Velma76]

I absolutely love that 1939 page. Unfortunately, that particular Edward Nolan was born in Birmingham, so he's not my man.

I'm having trouble finding any of the brothers in the city at that time. My new cousin is adamant that they travelled to Brum in the 1920s, maybe they'd already moved on?

Can any recommend something between the 1911 census and the 1939 count that might help me track them down in Birmingham? I'm happy to check physical records if necessary as I still live here.

Thank you.

[rosie99]

I absolutely love that 1939 page. Unfortunately, that particular Edward Nolan was born in Birmingham, so he's not my man.

How do you know that particular Edward was born in Birmingham - 1939 register does not give place of birth 

[rosie99]

Thanks to fantastic Irish records, I can be sure of their birthdates

Michael Joe Nolan (1891)
Edward John Nolan (1895)
Thomas Nolan (1898)

You have only given the years of birth do you know the full dates

[Velma76]

I absolutely love that 1939 page. Unfortunately, that particular Edward Nolan was born in Birmingham, so he's not my man.

How do you know that particular Edward was born in Birmingham - 1939 register does not give place of birth 

I traced his DOB (it was different to my guy) on other sites and found information pertaining to him being Birmingham born and bred.

[Velma76]

Thanks to fantastic Irish records, I can be sure of their birthdates

Michael Joe Nolan (1891)
Edward John Nolan (1895)
Thomas Nolan (1898)

You have only given the years of birth do you know the full dates

Not for Thomas, but Michael Joe is 28th April and Edward was 24th August.

I found some other definite relatives on the 1939 list whose DOB differed from what was on their birth certificate, although I can be sure of address etc, so I guess people weren’t always accurate with what they told census takers anyway?