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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Gene Genius on Tuesday 07 April 09 16:36 BST (UK)
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I have posted on Scotland's People and Military and Naval Forums on here but maybe here might have a wider audience.
I have found a "possible" on Scotland's People but maybe someone on here has a local directory or whatever who can help me.
FACT: My Grandad was James Patrick MacDonald on his Welsh wedding certificate in 1911 aged 24. Not stated but widely known that he was a Scotsman born circa 1887 near Glasgow or Greenock.
His father at time of marriage was Dominic MacDonald, a sailor (deceased) at time of son's marriage in 1911.
FAMILY FOLKLORE (but never corroborated) Dominic was a ship's master who went down with his ship. (I very much doubt this now). Dominic was a twin and when he died his widow married her husband's brother. Son James (my Grandad) did not like his new step-father (his uncle) so left Scotland to come down to Wales to seek work in the North Wales Coalfield.
FACT: My Grandad died in France in 1918 as a member of the Welch Regiment. He is buried in Rouen.
NOWHERE can I find a birth certificate for a James MacDonald with a father called Dominic born anywhere near 1887 in the required area.
I have looked at other spellings of the surname.
My CONCLUSION is that James was the son of an Irish born Dominick McDonald born in County Mayo, Ireland c 1850. James' mother could have been a Bridget Carden.
Can anyone tell me if I am way off track or not?
Moderator Comment: title edited to remove excess capital letters.
See Topic: >>----- Guidelines for Postings / Netiquette -----<<, Reply #2 for explanation.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,123033.0.html
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Have you looked at James Patrick McDonald b1887 to Joseph McD and Sarah ?(I can't quite make out names yet).
I know father aint Dom but you never know?
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Thank you so much for this but my Grandad did say during his brief marriage that his father's name was Dominic. I just cannot understand how my grandmother never asked what his mother's name was.
My Dad was only four when his father died in France.
My Dad passed away in 2004 aged 90 so all he knew is that his dad was Scottish and his grandad's name was Dominic.
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Just having a look at census records for possible clues.
Any connection to Kidderminster, Worcester?
Sorry if you've looked at these before but I'm just clutching at straws just now - waiting for my butler to ring the dinner gong.
Dave
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I have come across this Kidderminster reference too.
It has occurred to me that maybe the whole family moved down from Scotland and that it was just my Grandad who ended up in Wales while the rest of the family settled elsewhere. No-one else in the family has heard anything though about others moving as well.
I sacked my butler and now employ Merry Maids once a week.
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Hello Gene Genius
When you say you haven't tried "in here" before - I just did a Rootschat Search and you have about eight threads on the same family!
I'm just pointing this out because it might save someone spending credits on information that you already have.
Where does the 1911 census say he was born?
Can you post details of this family please? :)
~cariad~
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No no, I have posted on Rootschat but not in the Common Room I don't think anyway. I usually post in the Denbighshire room or somtimes Renfrewshire.
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I think I said that there was no mention on the 1911 Marriage Certificate of my grandad's birth, only his address at time of marriage which was Wrexham.
He was 24 though in 1911 so I am looking at 1887 as a possible birthdate. I have managed to go quite far back on my grandmother's side, to about 1715 anyways.
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If he was in Wrexham in 1911, you won't be able to see th census yet - it is due out shortly though and should be checked.
Have you followed up the suggestions of Piglet and Josephine on the previous threads?
Specifically, have you followed up the family found here -
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,361755.msg2384514.html#msg2384514
on the 1901 census to see whether they had a son?
Who were the witnesses on the marriage certificate? Did they marry in a church (which denomination) or register office - might help to determine which faith, which could be important if you're following an Irish family.
Did the name Dominic pass down the family? Were any of the siblings names mentioned - did any of those mentioned in the 1901 census from the thread linked above seem familiar from the next generation down?
I hope the answers will enable us to help you :)
~cariad~
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Hello cariad, seems funny using this address because this is one of the ways I address people anyway.
With reference to the link you mentioned above, I had discovered these names myself previously.
The marriage was held in St Giles C of E Church but I know my grandad was RC.
Although I am waiting for the 1911 census to be published for Denbighshire, I am not expecting to get any more information from it.
It is all just supposition you see unless I can find a direct link with a Dominic.
I post on many Family History forums and what I dream of I suppose is for someone called MacDonald also researching their tree to come forward and say that their grandad was called Dominic and that he had a son who moved down to Wales.
It may be that I need a military researcher to find my grandad's record for me and that may give me some more information as to where exactly he was born.
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Ah that will be the Welsh in you, caru! :D
The Dominic and Bridget couple in 1901 don't have a James at home with them in 1891 - don't know if you can say categorically that that rules them out though.
I think the 1911 census will be much more helpful than you think - it should tell you where he says he was born at least! Have you found him in the earlier censuses, I don't think you've said?
Have you looked at James' medal card on Ancestry - I think you said you have access to it? And I don't suppose any of the CWGC details of JPMcDs gave a father called Dominic?
~cariad~
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Hello again,
I bought the copy of his medal card but he was listed as JP Mcdonald. It is him though.
I actually have his medals here and those of my father which is nice. I feel very privileged.
My grandmother was mentioned on the 1901 census as still being a young girl and living with her parents in Wrexham. There was no mention of my grandad at that time but he would only have been about 14 and would not have moved down here yet.
You may be right about the 1911 census. I just hope he was at home on the night of the census and not working underground for he was a miner before he joined the army.
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I know that this isn't a perfect fit but have you considered him?
1901 census RG13 Piece 5237 Folio 61
Patrick Mc DONNELL sailor single 19 able seaman worker born Antrim Cushindal (Cushendall)
He's on board the Steamer Gem in Llanddulas, Denbighshire.
There's also a John Mc DONNELL from Cushendall on board.
~cariad~
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Hi
I have just looked at a medal card for a JP McDonald: he seems to have had three numbers:
8033 Royal Welsh Fusiliers
15531 Welsh Regiment
266931 Welsh Regiment
and was awarded the Victory Medal.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission show him as Welsh Regt, 1st/6th Battalion, died 25/11/1918 and buried at St Sever Cemetry Extension, Rouen.
Is this the one that we are hunting?
All the best
Gobbo
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That is him, the only difference being that I have two medals for him both with his name on them.
He died of avian flu two weeks after Armistice when his family were celebrating the end of the war and expecting him home.
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My grandfather was killed in WW1 and I have a copy of his obituary that was printed at the time in the local newspaper, complete with photo of him.
Have you tried the newspaper archives for the relevant area?
If there was an obit I don't suppose it will give his parents' names but might say a bit about his background or place of birth, as my grandfather's did.
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Hi
I have looked for a man with any of his his regimental numbers but have not found anyone with a name remotely like McDonald. I suspect that his service records are among the 2/3 lost in the fire.
How do you know that he died of avian flu?
What are the two medals of his that you hold and what is engraved round the rim of each?
All the best
Gobbo
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Hi
Your enquiry continues to trouble me. Your original information about your Grandfather, James Patrick McDonald, is derived from his 1911 marriage certificate. In my family the marriage certificates are the most likely to contain misleading information. I have seen wrong names, wrong ages, fictional fathers and dodgy descriptions of occupation. If James was born out of wedlock he may not have known who his father was and to avoid embarrassment may have given his Grandfather's name at the wedding.
All the best
Gobbo