Dublin emigration to France 1845-1848

[birdboot]

Thank you.  Railway building certainly seems feasible.  The peak of railway building in France appears to be between 1842 and 1849, with British main contractors.

[heywood]

This is just out of interest given the French connection and Kinsela

1851 2175 /233/32
William Street Birkenhead

Patrick Gilligan 38 yrs Joiner Journeyman b Ireland
Charles Gilligan 10 yrs b Bilston Staffs
John Gilligan 8 yrs b Walsall, Staffs
William Gilligan 6 yrs b France British Subject
Mary Kinsela widow 52 yrs Servant b Ireland

The Gilligan children look to have mmn Robinson so do not seem related to Mary Kinsela.

There are around 20 children aged 1845 +/- 5 yrs born in France living in Birkenhead.

[birdboot]

Thanks Heywood.  That is really fascinating information, something I never thought of checking.  I wonder if there is a local historian in Birkenhead who can throw any light on the french connection?

Regarding Sarah's maiden name, I found 10 children's births and the mother's maiden surname was recorded as 'Kinsla' (5 times), Kinsley (3) and Kinsella (2).

Incidentally, there was also another James living with them in 1891 aged 17.  His mother's ms was Murphy, so must have been a son of the eldest daughter Catherine, who was born 1852.

[birdboot]

I did a bit more research on the 'french connection' and found that there was another revolution in 1847-48, with many riots, executions etc.  So perhaps a lot of British workers went over to France in the 1840s for railway building and then most came home in 1848 to escape the unrest (when presumably work stopped).

[antonymark]

Hi again,

Is it worth posting a look up request on the Europe board for a baptism or civil registration for James?

I had lots of Rootschat help with my Irishman with a French connection.

French records carry loads more info than their UK equivalents. Both parents were named and the father's occupation and name of his employer may be included.

I've bumbled around but can't find anything.

Rootschat members Shanreagh, Manukarik and Joger sorted it for me. Hopefully they could be tempted to take a look.

Best wishes, Tony.

[birdboot]

Thanks, I have posted on the Europe board and will let you know if anything turns up.

[birdboot]

Thanks for suggestion Antonymark to post on the Europe board.  A user has found the birth record.  James was born in Oct 1846 at Barentin, Normandy. As you said, father and mother's ages are given and also John Murphy's occupation: "Terrassier", which translates as Navvy (no surprise there).  Place of birth is just north of Rouen, where I noticed was named  as place of birth of some other children in Birkenhead area in the 1851 census.

Sarah's age at the time of the birth was 20.  She is described as John's wife, but would she have been able to marry in Ireland at that age?  Perhaps they weren't legally married.

[Kiltaglassan]

Link to your thread on the Europe board.

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=869670.0