Where next?

[CanKan]

I always get such good advice on this board, so here goes with a lot of info. I think I am at a brick wall and wonder where to go next.

An offhand comment from my father a year ago, backed up by a letter from a long dead great uncle, a photo of a grave and a ships apprentice record held my my aunt, led me on a year long research project of our Irish & Liverpool origins.

Some facts: my 3x great grandfather was a Daniel O’Connell born c 1835 in Mallow, Cork and my 3x great grandmother was Esther Corcoran of Dublin. I have Daniels apprentice record on the “Rose” at Padstow c 1850-53. I found their parish wedding record c 1868 at St Augustine’s, Liverpool, and then baptismal records at St Francis Xavier, Liverpool for thier children born 1869 (Peter), 1874 (Ellen/Nellie), 1875 (Daniel died as an infant), 1877 (Kathleen - my 2x great grandmother). Nellie and Katie attended St Francis Xavier infants school.

I have census records for 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 for the family. And several years of electoral registers entries for Daniel in the 1890s - he died in 1898. I cannot locate them earlier, although I have found a Daniel Connell on board a ship in 1871 in Monmouthshire, and an earlier 1845 record of an apprenticeship, but not sure this is him.

There are two other children on the 1881 census, John and Mary A who are significantly older - previous marriage? These names also appear on the photo of the headstone I have.

I have found Daniel’s Mate certificate from 1875 indicating his time served at sea - he has evidence of 5+ years, but the certificate states that he has 25+ years experience.

I have found his probate record indicating Esther as the benefactor. The addresses all concur with census and other records.

I have found a marriage record for Ellen/Nellie in the Liverpool Echo 1883 announcing her marriage to Juan Font de la Vall. I know from the letter from the long dead uncle that they emigrated to Chile. I spent MANY hours reading non-chronological birth records and have found the birth records for all eight of their children in Talcahuano, and I have made contact with my third cousin and his family now in Santiago. I have some death certificates as well. I even got a copy of Juan’s Chilean Armada pension record indicating all of his voyages from Barcelona, around the Mediterranean and to South America.

I also have a photo from my granny’s memory book of a grave in Ford Cemetery, where Daniel, Esther, John and Mary A are buried. A kind soul on FindaGrave took an updated photo for me recently and transcribed the hard to read inscription. It is definitely the same grave.

But now what? Should I order death certificates to find out how Daniel and Esther and John and Mary A died? Peter seems to have disappeared. How could I find out if he stayed Liverpool or emigrated to North America or Australia? I’ve been told Daniel was involved in the Irish National League in Liverpool. What is this, and would they have records? Unfortunately, his name brings up many irrelevant results!

Any advice on where to go next is appreciated!

[MonicaL]

Have you discounted this possible death for Peter?

www.findagrave.com/memorial/225583559/peter-oconnell

There is a likely marriage in Liverpool 2nd Qrt 1902 (8b/205) for this Peter. On the list is also a Mary Alice Stewart which would fit the gravestone details.

1911 entry for this family group https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWRT-MVL

Monica

Added: Just found the 1902 marriage on the RC Liverpool registers. Unfortunately, this Peter's father is given as Patrick....so this info above is not correct for your Peter  He is still awol 

[aghadowey]

I have found his probate record indicating Esther as the benefactor. The addresses all concur with census and other records.

If this is the probate record you found it does NOT indicate Esther was a beneficiary, merely that his widow Esther was granted probate of his Will. You would need to see the actual Will to determine bequests.
https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=o%27connell&yearOfDeath=1899&page=1#calendar

[MonicaL]

 I’ve been told Daniel was involved in the Irish National League in Liverpool. What is this, and would they have records?

There are numerous links to the Irish National League on google such as this one https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_National_League

Not surprising that there was an active branch in Liverpool given the strength of the Irish contingency there. A small mention here https://newspapers.bc.edu/?a=d&d=pilot19030606-01.2.35&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------

Monica

[MonicaL]

There are two other children on the 1881 census, John and Mary A who are significantly older - previous marriage? These names also appear on the photo of the headstone I have.

The 1868 RC parish marriage entry makes no reference to the couple's previous marital status. You could consider ordering the statutory marriage registration certificate. This would give you Daniel's marital status at the time of the 1868 marriage.

Looks likely, as you say, that he was married before given the ages of John and Mary Ann.

Monica

[MonicaL]

I think I may have found Peter...in Dublin.

There is this marriage there in 1890 between a Peter McConnell and an Emily Lee https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1890/10708/5903726.pdf

Their census entries in Dublin:

1901 www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai003699170/ Peter shows as born in Dublin in this entry, England in 1911.

1911 www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai000124723/

Am I right in thinking you have a family tree on Ancestry? This looks to be a tree for Peter and Emily

www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/79798643/person/36410187243/facts and a more detailed one on daughter Jane www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/28870266/person/12108119122/facts

Work in progress all of this....

Monica

[CanKan]

Thank you, agadowney. I will follow this up, and see what appears.

Monica, you are a marvel! This has given me many avenues to peruse and questions to ask my aunts and relations. Are you able to read the occupation of the fathers' on the 1890 marriage certificate? Daniel O’Connell Sea Captain? That would be an excellent but too-good-to-be-true fit!

I will order the marriage certificate for Daniel and Esther and see about the possibility of him being a widower.

Thank you again, and happy new year!!

[MonicaL]

Are you able to read the occupation of the fathers' on the 1890 marriage certificate? Daniel O’Connell Sea Captain?

That is how it reads to me too.

Monica

[MonicaL]

There is a shipping manifest entry for Peter and Emily O'Connell on 24 May 1930 arriving in New York on the 'President Roosevelt'. Last residence shows as Dublin.

Peter's occupation by now is showing as a 'Constable' (police force?). He gave his birth place as Liverpool, so we are on the right track for him here. They show as heading to their son-in-law, a Gilbert Walton, in Hartford, Conneticut. They intended to remain permanently in the US.

Monica