RootsChat.Com

Hello Wivenhoe, Thanks for your reply, Yes, I thought there ought to be another Bernard Riley, son of (my 3 x great grandfather Bernard b about 1791), I did find a right sort of aged Bernard Riley in Rotherham, but of course I don't know if he is my Bernard's son.  Bernard's wife, my 3 x great grandmother was born Mary Watkin 1798.  I haven't found her marriage to Bernard yet, nor baptisms for their children as mentioned in the censuses, Catherine/Caroline I have her b as 1824, Ellen b1826, James b1828, Mary Ann b1831, Margaret b1834, John b1837 or Michael b1839.  When the children married, it was in C of E churches.  I do have B & D certs for Michael b 1839.  You mention a Mary O'Brien?   Mary is Mary Riley nee Watkin.   It is possibly my fault, I may have confused you, because Bernard has had several names on his children's documents, (Bernard, Bryan, and O'Brien)  I did wonder if Bernard and Mary ever married, or if he had another family, but they may have married in Ireland and I don't really know how to search there, that seems daunting.

I want to thank everyone in regards to this enquiry, I can't remember all the names, but I seem to think one was heywood, thank you so much, I purchased a PDF of Michael Rielly's 1839 birth cert, it confirmed that Mary Riley's maiden name was Watkin, the address was the same as where the family were living on 1841 census, Dawson Wall, Barnsley, I was a ittle concerned as the father was shown as Bryan Rielly, whereas I had him as Bernard Riley, but again from RootsChat I found that these names, Bryan and Bernard are equivalent, the mother was shown as Mary Rielly formerly Watkin.  I have now ruled out the name Mary Bowen, and am trying to contact my other researchers of this family to rule out Bowen also, as Bowen is being pushed to me by Ancestry.  I am just very grateful to you all.   

Thank you Aghadowey, I didn't know that births on GRO site before 1911 showed mother's maiden name, I have never seen them.  That is amazing!

Carole

Hi PatV, Bernard and Mary Riley are also my ancestors, I see there is a Michael Rielly born 1839, I am applying for the Birth cert, Dist: Ecclesfield, Vol: 22 Page: 157, I am hoping it will show Mary's maiden name and also Michael's Father, and possibly the address.  I saw that someone put on here that Mary's maiden name was Watkin, but Birth cert might confirm. 

Hi Patvp, Bernard Riley 1791 is also my 3rd great grandfather, I'm not sure if I have contacted you before, he and Mary are also brickwall to me.  It is confusing, Ancestry keep trying to tell me Mary is Mary Bowen from CourtMatrix, descended from Palatines.  I haven't been able to find a wedding, but assumed it would be in Ireland.  I found a newspaper account of Mary's death when she had fallen into a boat at the canal edge.  Ellen Riley is my 2x  great grandmother.