Old Park, Cork - where is it please?

[josey]

Hello all,

Johannah Murray, a sister of my grandfather is listed on the IGI [batch no C006310] as being born on 15 Apr 1877 in Old Park, Cork. They were a Roman Catholic family. Does anyone know where in Cork is this please & which Roman Catholic parish it may have been in?

She was the daughter of Patrick Philip Murray born ca 1845 in Scotland & Mary Holland born in North America [probably Nova Scotia]. I am looking for their marriage as well as any other children born in Cork [possibly a Vincent ca 1879] . From at least 1883 they were living in Killeshandra, Cavan where Patrick was based in the 89th Regiment Royal Irish Fusiliers.

I understand that in Cork the parish priests hold the parish records. All help gratefully received.

[Suziesmith37]

Hi Josey

There is still an area called Old Park between the towns of Bandon and Crookstown not far from a village called Kilbarry.

If you have access to G**g*e maps just do a search on Old Park, Cork and it will take you there.

Hopefully it is the one you are looking for.

Su

[josey]

Thanks Su,

I'll take a look, certainly sounds likely.

Josey

[josey]

Su - quite a result!!

I emailed the priest at Bandon parish who said he knew the family & the townland they came from! Unfortunately it was not in his parish but Murragh & Templemartin who holds the parish records but suggested I wrote to the priest there although he was not sure I would get a reply. I also do not thtink this parish is covered by the Mallow Heritage Centre. But I have certainly made some progress, many thanks for your help.

Josey

[Suziesmith37]

Hi Josey

Sorry did not get back to you earlier - a few computer problems!

I am so glad the info was of some help, do let me know where you eventually get with it.  My own research is interesting, but I find it fascinating to hear other peoples stories as well!

Good Luck!

Su

[josey]

Hello Su,

Thought I would let you know how I got on!!!

I wrote to the parish priest in Murragh & Templemartin with an addressed envelope and an international reply coupon.  He kindly replied with the marriage date of Patrick Murray & Mary Holland in Jun 1876 & the births of their 11 children from Apr 1877 [Johannah] to Feb 1897, all in that parish.  BELIEVE IT OR NOT - this is cannot be 'my' Patrick Murray & Mary Holland, as I have the birth and baptism records for their last 7 children from 1883 [my grandfather Joseph] to 1894 [my great aunt Mary] in Cavan and Dublin.  'My' Patrick & Mary even had been married in 1876 AND had 11 children too, according to the 1911 Dublin census, of whom their eldest was called Annie and 6 survived.

Just goes to show that you cannot make any assumptions in genealogy, also how common some names are in Ireland!!!

Josey

[Suziesmith37]

Hi Josey

Thanks for letting me know and apologies for not replying sooner as on the road down through France.

Well what a coincidence that was!  Do hang on to their details just in case though

I had the same sort of thing but it turned out the relly was a bigamist and did have two family lines (with the two wives!!!)

So now I suppose it's off again to try and find another Patrick and Mary.  DO double check that they hadn't registered their children twice for some strange reason?

May also be worth following a coupld of the 'other' couple's children to see if they married the same rellies as yours?

As you said you never can tell!

Su

[josey]

Hi Su,

An update! I had an amazing day at Kew last Monday - my first visit there. Found Patrick & Mary's marriage date of 13 Sep 1876 in Halifax Nova Scotia from his army records, together with details of his postings and dates of birth of [living] children. They left Nova Scotia for Bermuda after the marriage with his regiment & had their first daughter Alice Anne known as Annie in Bermuda in Jul 1877 [found her on the GRO ARMY CHAPLAINS BIRTH INDICES (1796 to 1880) on findmypast].

The relevant Nova Scotia records are on line & I found the marriage record the next day & paid to download it - this gave both their father's names so much progress.

The army records were fantastic once I had found them - they are filed according to date of discharge so fair amount of work is required to find out that date. They gave Patrick's appearance, height etc and medical history while in the army. One of the stories to emerge - after 11 years away from Ireland 1866 - 1877 in Gibraltar, Malta, Canada & Bermuda, he arrives home with new wife & baby. Obviously celebrates but gets tried for drunkenness after previous good conduct. Demoted from sergeant to private for 2 years with 25% loss of pay [bet my GGM was NOT pleased!].

Now to research the generation before!

Josey

[Suziesmith37]

Hi Josey

Well what a revelation!

Kew sounds a wonderous place for information and now you have both fathers names that is big steps forward (or should I say backwards in History).

Would love to have been a fly on the wall when GGM found out - bet that was worse punishment than the 25% loss of pay!

I wonder what happened to first wife?  Very similar to my relly - two marriages but in my case I am having difficulty finding a death/divorce of the first!

I think you are going to turn up a fascinating history with your family and thanks for keeping me posted

Cheers Su