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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Topic started by: NNR on Thursday 21 July 16 14:49 BST (UK)
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I'm wondering if anyone can help with this odd search.
My Grandad's Uncle was one James Donohue, born in Lisquillibeen in North Tipperary, Ireland, and who moved slightly North to Belleview with his family as a boy. He was baptised 14th March 1845. He never appears in any family records or as a godparent to any of his nephews/neices suggesting he may have left Ireland quite early on. However, a note written by his great niece - the family historian - many years later (around 1990), and shortly before her death, states that;
"James Donohue went to England. I know he had two boys because they befriended someone I know. Somwhere they were attorneys. He left his wife and family came back to be a burden on his sister in law."
Now, I've never been able to locate a death record in the Tipperary area for James, but I assume he must appear on one or two English censuses. Also, are there lists of attorneys/lawyers from the early/mid 1900s? Can anyone point me in the right direction on trying to solve this tricky conundrum...?
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Would his father's name have been Michael? forget about that one- online tree really unreliable ::)
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The Law Lists exist from some way back into the 19th century. Published annually. Complete set in the library at Kew; I think the set at the SoG is near-complete. Attorneys (later solicitors) listed in London alphabetically; "country" attorneys are listed by town but there is an index of surnames. Infuriating if you are looking for a Smith; Donohue would be easier to find.
I don't know whether any have been digitised; there must be copies elsewhere, but I don't know where.
Once you've found your people, they will often show up in the British Newspaper Archive, or at least their cases will.
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First place to search could be Liverpool and its surrounding towns, as Liverpool was often the first Port of call for emigrants from Ireland.
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also keep your mind open - I once did some research for someone looking for (who must have been) a middle /upper class family as all three of their sons were "Lawyers"
It turned out the sons were "Sawyers" (or carpenters/joiners)
Suz
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There's a death in Tipperary in 1906: James Donohue aged 61
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Agree with Scouseboy that Liverpool might be a place to start - have you had a look at www.lan-opc.org.uk ?
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Hello,
Who was his sister in law and where and when did she die?
That might give you an area and time frame for his death.
Regards
Heywood
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Is this the same family? http://www.odonoghue.co.uk/dphorum/read.php?1,28
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New thread http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=752752.msg6014513#msg6014513
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Hi all,
His father's name was indeed Michael. And his mother was Ellen.
The original note on James' family does state the sons were "attorneys" rather than lawyers. I thought it just an Americanism that had swept in. I see now it must just be very specific.
What is the difference between an attorney and country attorney? Where might I find the index of surnames? Anyone?
Yes, Liverpool is the first place I'm searching. Well, it's whatever turns up on censuses really, but it has a fair few Donoghues in the censuses. Just not anything that ties in with the story.
Re: his sister in law, I have no idea. If it's the wife of a brother, then there are two. But they lived in the same area and we know a lot about them. Never a mention of a brother in law imposing himself. If it's his ex-wife's sister, then I know nothing about anything with regards to that!
And yes, the post linked to *is* the same family, I've just received new evidence in the last 12 years that stops me assuming that the James I noted in that article is the James I'm looking for.
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Have you checked the death which has been mentioned?
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What is the difference between an attorney and country attorney? Where might I find the index of surnames? Anyone?
You'll need your nearest library with copies of the Law List for those dates on the shelves. The surname index is in each volume. If you are based near London, TNA at Kew or the Society of Genealogists both hold copies. There is a scan of the 1880 edition on www.archive.org; there may be others out there.
The Law List splits attorneys into London attorneys (with London addresses) and country attorneys (the rest).
The word attorney gave way to solicitor some time in the 19th century.