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Hi Steve,

I know, it does seem strange (not knowing why things were like that). I do know, from James' daughters, that James was a very strict and proper man. a Provost sergeant in the Irish army, who whilst at home expected the floors to show his reflection in them. Also, his girls had to be very proper in appearance and behavior. No makeup or modern fashion dressing up. My mum told me that if they where to walk into town (in cork) that James would give them strict instructions that when they got near a protestant church (that was on the high street) they had to cross to the other side of the road and under no circumstances were they to look at it. My mum recalls that he used to clean his gun religiously and when finished would ask her to look down the barrel, she said it would shine like gold.
They are some trivial things, but at the same time may give a little insight into James' personality and character.
I wonder if having left the rural environment in Wexford, at that time, and having moved into city living had anything to do with him being reluctant to acknowledge his family roots when he was in Cork and England. Or maybe there was some kind of falling out with his family in Wexford that prompted him leaving there.

Cheers,
Patrick.

Thanks again Mogue,

It is great to hear from you and get some more information about my ancestors. I am keeping family here up to date with developments, in particular two of James' daughters are interested to find out more about their father, his family, background etc.

How many of James' siblings do you know of? I have a few, but like I said before, it has been the understanding of his daughters that James was one of twelve (or maybe thirteen) children.

I was wondering who Michael Redmond was, he is named on the gravestone of Thomas Burke (Died 22 Jun 1979)? I came across the birth record of a Margaret Mythen, in Wexford, daughter of James and Jane Mythen (Nee Redmond) and was curious if it could be our Margaret Mythen.

Thanks for taking the trouble to post the photos and other useful information.

Bye for now,

Patrick.

Hi again Mogue,

Regarding the information you heard about James joining the army in Cork and then went to England and joined the army is partly true:
As far as I know at some point James left Monamolin (I don't know when this was) but in Limerick during 1932 he got married to Ellen Manly/Manley (of Limerick).
I know he had a long career in the Army, at some point he was a provost sergeant in Collin's Barracks, Cork - his first daughter was born there in 1933. He had 5 daughters whilst in the barrack's and stayed there until he left for England. Apparently about 1948 there were no real work opportunities for women and Ellen, being the mother of 5 girls who were at or nearing working age, decided that she wanted them all to move to be near her sister - Bridget Manly - who had previously moved to England. So she and the girls went and she told James he could follow them if he wanted to, which he eventually did, reluctantly, as he wasn't a great fan of the English (to put it mildly!).

He definitely didn't join the British army though, on arrival in England he found some kind of work "indoors", such as office or factory work I presume, but he wouldn't do that as he said he had to be "working outdoors". So he found a job as a street lamp glass cleaner, cleaning the gas lamps that lit the streets in those days.

I don't think James had contact with his siblings in England, at least I know his daughters never heard or saw any of them. I am unaware of his brother Joe you mentioned (who moved to England). I am currently only aware of James' sibling as of the 1911 census (Patrick, Charlis, Jack and Maggie), although I hear from family that James was said to be one of thirteen children. It would be really helpful if you have details of all James' brothers and sisters.

My mother recalls some Burkes attending James' funeral and one introducing himself as James' brother (perhaps John, Jack or Joe).

It is interesting to hear James was last home about 1958/60, do you know if it was just a short visit or did he return for a while? His wife Ellen had died in 1957 and I think the daughters would have probably moved out into their own places by then. I understand James married again after that to a lady named Doris where they continued to live in the city of Bradford in West Yorkshire until James died in 1979.

Thanks for the clarification regarding the Margarets, it makes more sense to me now I was getting a bit confused for a while there.

I appreciate all the information, it is helping me no end!

Regards,

Patrick.

Ah, hello again Mogue!

I see you have just posted as I was typing my own post!
I'll be sure to check out the Kilmuckridge register for baptisms too.
Thanks again.

Patrick

Hi,

I am also researching Burke's of Mounthoward (just beginning and haven't got very far).
James Burke born approx 1903 Gorey, Co. Wexford, mother's maiden name of Mythen - is my Grandfather. 1911 Census shows him at Mounthoward Lower with parents Patrick and Maggie Burke (nee Mythen). Can anyone here please kindly provide any information regarding this family line/tree? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks

Psun.