Thomas Murphy and Catherine Driscoll of rural Clonakilty, 1870s onwards

[mattjreid]

Hi everyone.

I'm looking for the birth and death dates for my ancestors, Thomas Murphy and Catherine Driscoll of rural Clonakilty.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1868/11455/8208993.pdf

They marry in 1868; have a bunch of kids - including one of my great-grandfathers (John Murphy) in 1876 - and then disappear.

Their ages in the marriage certificate say 'Of Full Age', and I have verified Thomas's birth as 1841.

https://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/display-pdf.jsp?pdfName=cork%20%26%20ross.clonakilty.p4772.00215


I've tried looking at the following:

• death certificates in Clonakilty from 1876 to 1930
• census records in 1901 and 1911 in any district of Ireland, using a combination of their names and their childrens' names; however, a search for a Thomas and Catherine Murphy in Ireland yields thousands of results
• searched the fathers' names in Clonakilty
• searched keywords of their known locations: Clashflugh; Ballinoroher; Ballinrougher (I have a good idea of where they lived).
• census records of their last known location

My great-grandfather John Murphy next appears in Belmullet, County Mayo in 1911 when his first daughter is born. I cannot find any of his siblings: Daniel, Michael, Catherine, and Patrick.

My guess is that they and the parents have left Clonakilty - but how to confirm this? And how to find the birth registration of Catherine Driscoll, son of John Driscoll?

[Wexflyer]

My great-grandfather John Murphy next appears in Belmullet, County Mayo in 1911 when his first daughter is born.

So there is no record of where, when and to whom he married?

[mattjreid]

He married Kate Dixon, however, I can't find a wedding record. They have a joint grave near Belmullet, so the union is certain.

[Wexflyer]

My guess is that they and the parents have left Clonakilty - but how to confirm this?

There are basically two main possibilities:
- They emigrated. Most probably to the US, but could be elsewhere. This is more likely if there is no further record for multiple people, as appears to be the case here.
- Deaths simply not registered. But this is less likely of there are no death or marriage records for multiple people.

[Wexflyer]

He married Kate Dixon, however, I can't find a wedding record. They have a joint grave near Belmullet, so the union is certain.

So what brought John to Belmullet (occupation)?
Could Kate have been a widow, such that the marriage is indexed under her previous married name?

[mattjreid]

Thomas is the father from 1841; John is the son from 1876.

I'm not sure what brought John Murphy to Belmullet. My knowledge of this family branch is thin because Kate and John disowned their son (another Thomas) for marrying my non-catholic grandmother.

Kate was 25 on the birth of the first child between her and John; I have her age because of a death record of a Kate Murphy in Belmullet matching her grave; I have her maiden name because of the birth record my grandfather Thomas.

I have no 1901 or 1911 census records for the young Kate Dixon. I have what I think is her birth record between Darby Dixon and Mary Connell, also in Belmullet.

[Wexflyer]

I have her maiden name because of the birth record my grandfather Thomas.

Well, that birth registration must give the father's occupation?

[Wexflyer]

And how to find the birth registration of Catherine Driscoll, son of John Driscoll?

There isn't going to be a birth registration for her. Registrations only started in 1864. What you need is a parish register entry.

[shanreagh]

Have you checked to see if the witnesses to the marriage, Daniel Murphy and Michael Driscoll are related and how?