California birthplace claim

[chempat]

On the 1901 Irish census John Gillanders age 24 has his birthplace as California.  On the 1911 census he is back to Co Monaghan like the rest of the family.
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai001151116/
If he was born abroad he should have put USA not California, but understandable 'mistake'.

I cannot find his birth in County Monaghan - parents Robert and Eliza Jane nee Reed for Robert and Mary Ann.
It is Robert (his brother) who I was researching - goes to England, is a vicar.  Just saw the California birth and intrigued.
Is there a tiny place in Ireland called California - I was not having any success with google searches, just getting hits for Hollywood? 

Thank-you

[*Sandra*]

Just out of interest. There is a Hollywood in County Wicklow  ??

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood,_County_Wicklow

Sandra

[chempat]

Just out of interest. There is a Hollywood in County Wicklow  ??

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood,_County_Wicklow

Sandra

Yes, which was why I wondered if there was a tiny townland called California not showing on the databases.

[*Sandra*]

I have seen a place named before on US census.  No reason to believe the family were ever in the USA ?

Sandra

[Kiltaglassan]

Just adding the 1911 census record for John.

House 1 in Fastry or Racreeghan (Killynenagh, Monaghan)
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Monaghan/Killynenagh/Fastry_or_Racreeghan/807003/
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai003127420/

Note that the census states in the column 'Where Born' -
If in Ireland, state in what County or City; if elsewhere, state the name of the Country.


Edited to Add
California wasn't a country in 1901, it was a state of the USA.

[aghadowey]

Do you have the marriage of Robert & Eliza Jane? when and where did it take place? could Jane have been married previously or given birth to John before she married Robert?
Since Robert gave the information for the 1901 census I wouldn't rule out a birth in California or even America.

[Wexflyer]

On the 1901 Irish census John Gillanders age 24 has his birthplace as California.  On the 1911 census he is back to Co Monaghan like the rest of the family.
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai001151116/
If he was born abroad he should have put USA not California, but understandable 'mistake'.

I cannot find his birth in County Monaghan - parents Robert and Eliza Jane nee Reed for Robert and Mary Ann.
It is Robert (his brother) who I was researching - goes to England, is a vicar.  Just saw the California birth and intrigued.
Is there a tiny place in Ireland called California - I was not having any success with google searches, just getting hits for Hollywood? 

Thank-you

Why do you say "claim" - you don't believe the census entry?
Why would it be false?

1,441 people with America as birthplace on 1901 census
661 With Canada
260,872 with "Other", which would include California.

[chempat]

I put claim because the 1911 does not state California.  The 2 are not in agreement, in both he is in his father's household, so either one is wrong or there is a California in Ireland.

I have not got marriage certificate of Robert and Eliza Jane - it was not essential for the research that I was doing.  (Rev Robert Gillan/enders MC in WW1).  Agree that a different mother coming to Ireland etc etc would fit.   I do plead rustiness with looking at Irish records.  Sorry.

[Wexflyer]

I put claim because the 1911 does not state California.  The 2 are not in agreement, in both he is in his father's household, so either one is wrong or there is a California in Ireland.

I have not got marriage certificate of Robert and Eliza Jane - it was not essential for the research that I was doing.  (Rev Robert Gillan/enders MC in WW1).  Agree that a different mother coming to Ireland etc etc would fit.   I do plead rustiness with looking at Irish records.  Sorry.

You need to be more flexible in your thinking than black/white right/wrong.

One entry is correct, and the other is simply on auto-pilot. The auto-pilot clearly can't be California!

And no, there is no Irish county named California! (or any other sub-division for that matter).