RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Lancashire => Topic started by: jane_macara on Monday 30 October 06 21:05 GMT (UK)
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Hi all,
I'm hoping that someone might be able to help me! I'm having an absolute nightmare trying to find any reference to my Great Great Grandfather ever being born!
All I think I know for sure is that he was born in Manchester. His father apparently came to Manchester from Ireland and I'm certain that he was a Roman Catholic. My Great Great Grandfather's name was Thomas McEwen - but this name changed somewhat over the years before it ended up as McEwen! Thomas' father was called Garrett Mckeown - or McKeon and I have checked every name I can think of in the births register to try and find a possible incorrect spelling - McOwen, Kewin, McKone, McQuen etc etc and I can find no reference at all to what might possibly be Thomas' birth. I know that his birth date was 13th April. It's said he was born in 1844 - in Manchester - but he was a circus performer and they were renowned for losing years off there age as time went on! (His wife Emma knocked 8 years off her age over the years). Perhaps his birth wasn't registered - but I do think that he would have been baptised.
I wondered if anyone might have an idea of how I might be able to find him!!!
(I think I've found his father Garrett's marriage in March 1841 to Betsy Deignan in Manchester Cathedral in the IGI - but there are sadly no details of any children linked to the marriage. I've also found Thomas' grave in Burnley Cemetery).
So . . . . does anyone know if there are there any records online of Baptisms in Manchester around that time, that might be able to help me? If I can check for his father's name being Garrett - I think I will have cracked it!
Many thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Jane
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Hi Jane......
I have found the death registration of a Garrett McKeon
Registered Burnley / September qtr 1884 / vol 8e page 132 / age 75
I cannot however find him on any census , like you I have tried every version of the name , and sometimes on Ancestry , if you just put in the christian name if it is unusual , we can find someone who is difficult to find.....but not here , I am afraid....
perhaps the death certificate may help ..
Kind Regards
JeannieR
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Hi JeannieR,
Many thanks for taking the trouble to see what you could find - I really do appreciate it. It's good to know that it isn't just me being daft and missing something! I did know Garrett's death date but it simply hadn't occurred to me to get the death certificate to see if there might be a clue on that!! Thank you so much for suggesting it - I will order a copy and see if it does help in any way.
Thanks again,
Best wishes
Jane
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Jane
Is this them ?
1851 Manchester, Chorlton on Medlock Unfilmed
5 Medlock St. ( Cellar )
Garrett McCoan Head M 34 Labourer Ireland
Elizabeth McCoan Wife M 33 Housekeeper Ireland
Michael McCoan Son 9 At home Manchester
Thomas McCoan Son 7 At home Manchester
Catherine McCoan Dau 3 At home Manchester
James McCoan Son 6M At home Manchester
Catherine Gallagher Lodger W 26 Frame Tenter Ireland
Thomas Gallagher Lodger 3 At home Manchester
Hope this helps
Regards, Dave
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Hi Dave,
I'm jumping up and down!! I just cannot tell you how grateful I am to you for this - eighteen months of searching - and you found them for me!
I'm certain that is has to be them. The date of Thomas' birth is exactly correct - I am just grinning from ear to ear at the moment! I had no idea if Thomas even had brothers or sisters. Garrett is a bit younger than I had thought - but when he and Elizabeth married in 1841 they were both over 21 - which would work out fine. His death was in 1884 - and it says he was 75 - but this could just be that over the years people forgot the real ages and took a guess at it.
This new information will keep me occupied for quite some time now which is wonderful.
You are a star - thank you so much.
Jane
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Hi again Jane......
This is the family in 1861 ....Spelt McRorie...but definetly McKeon on the image..........
40 Albion Street , Ancoats
Garratt / head / age 49 / Coal Heaver/ born Ireland
Elizabeth / wife / age 48 / born Ireland
THOMAS / son / age 16 / Cart Sheet maker / born Manchester
Catherine / daughter / age 13 / Cotton doubler / born Manchester
James / son / age 9 / sweeper in cotton mill / born Manchester
Elizabeth / daughter / age 5 / born Manchester
Jane / daughter / age 2 / born Manchester
Catherine Dewire ? / lodger / age 38 / cotton weaver / Ireland
The lodger , could be Elizabeths sister , and her surname could be Deignan . This poor lady , was deaf and dumb , from birth .
This really will keep you busy , there are two more children ......
Isn't it exciting !!
Best wishes
JeannieR
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Jane .....
Not sure if you have the details from the 1871 census , but here goes............
Windmill Lane , Eyres Gardens , Snenton , Nottinghamshire
Thomas McEwen / head / age 27 / Gymnastic Artist / M'chester
Ellen / wife / age 27 / born East Stockhurth ? Lincolnshire
Jane / sister / age 13 / scholar / born Manchester
Hope this helps
Jeannie
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Thank you both so much!! I had the 1871 entry for Thomas but nothing positive before that - so at last I have all the links to prove it! I'm sure you know how good that feels!!
I am currently sitting here trying to track down birth references for the children - not an easy task with all the odd spellings to contend with of course!
It's a shame that Garrett and Elizabeth were born in Ireland, as there isn't much hope of going back further with them - but never mind - I have discovered more about the family today than I dreamed was possible. I do know Elizabeth and Garrett's father's names from the marriage certificate but nothing more, so I think that I am at the end of the trail.
Many thanks again to both of you.
Best wishes,
Jane