Henry O'Neill/O'Neil born Oldham 1883

[emmsthheight]

Hi

I'm no expert, and there are great military boards on Rootschat, but he would barely have been old enough for the Boar War, and if he served in WW!, there should be a medal card for him which would give his number but iI guess there will be too many Henry O'Neals to recognise it.  If We're lucky his pension records could have survived.

I'll look what's on Ancestry.

I'll get back.

Emms

[li91mo]

The only other information I have is from Henry Jnr's marriage certificate, his address is given as Bank Street Bolton.  His profession as 'Sapper 341541'  and the what looks like 'R.E.' (assume Royal Engineers) then two illegible words and then 'machinist'.

 

[emmsthheight]

Hi

I've looked on the medal cards and there is one for what looks like Henry in the Royal Engineers, but it will only give what you already have.

I've had a look at the service records but only a small proportion survive and they atre not all on line yet.

There is a Henry who was born in Oldham and enlisted in Bolton but not in the RE and not with this number.  A relative?

I'll have another look and get back to you and pm any relevent information.

As you know the regiment, you might get a lot of help off the military boards, from someone who knows what there is of the engineers records and where it is.

Best wsihes

Emms

[emmsthheight]

Hi

I'm not sure if the medal cards on Ancestry are completed but the number doesn't correspond with yours.  Some people had more than one number, but I'll check on the National Archives.

Emms

[li91mo]

I have put a post up on the military boards and they are helping me explore his military side.

Been looking at the freeBMD site.

There are two possible marriages which could be Henry Jnr's first marriage:

Marriages Dec 1898   (>99%)
~~~~~~~~
 
HARTIKEN  Ellen    Bolton  8c 649   
MCGRATH  Patrick     Bolton  8c 649   
O'Neil  Henry     Bolton  8c 649   
Sumner  Elizabeth     Bolton  8c 649   

This one seems a bit too early.

Marriages Jun 1905 
~~~~~~~~
 O'Neill  Henry    Bolton  8c 682   
O'Rourke  Mary     Bolton  8c 682   
WALSH  Robert     Bolton  8c 682   
Willis  Mary Ellen     Bolton  8c 682    

This one seems more possible, especially as I have also found the following information.

Deaths Dec 1918   (>99%)
~~~~~~~~
 
O'NEILL  Mary E  33  Bolton  8c 715    (born approx 1885)


Births Dec 1911   (>99%)
~~~~~~~~
 
O'Neill  Lily  Willis  Bolton  8c 825   


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Births Mar 1914   (>99%)
~~~~~~~~
 
O'NEILL  Edward  Willis  Bolton  8c 876

So that would fit as we know his first wife died and his second wife raised his children from that marriage (the youngest would have been 5 at the time).   But it really is just guest work. Can anyone think of a way of checking without having to order the certificate?

Also someone previously mentioned the Boer war.  I think he would have been around 18 at the time of the second war, and I cannot help thinking this might be a link to his second wife's as her father died in the Boer war in 1902 and was a sargeant in the Royal Engineers....

[heywood]

agree that the Willis-O'Neill looks very plausible - if it is possible I think it worth you sending for that certificate.
Do you have any info re his second marriage- perhaps he was married at same church adn you may be able  to check records.
Well done so far.

[li91mo]

I have finally got the copies of the marriage certificate for Henry O'NEILL (snr) and Elizabeth Rourke.

They were married at St Patrick Catholic Church in Bolton in July 1880.  Henry was aged 34 (approx 1846) and a labourer living at what looks like 28 Back Soho(?) Street, Great Bolton.  His father is given as John O'NEILL (deceased), labourer.

Elizabeth was 31 (approx 1849) living at 36 Back D? Street, Great Bolton (it could be Dawes, which would match a census but it is hard to read). Her father was Thomas ROURKE (deceased) a labourer.

The witnesses were Patrick O'NEILL and what looks like an Ann REDDY or KEDDY.

Will have a look at the information you have all given me and see if it matches.

[emmsthheight]

Hi

Thanksfor the feedback.  I'm glad you're moving on.

Emms

[heywood]

me too.

Yes Emms found Henry in 1871 in Back Dawes Street living with cousin Alice Wallace - although the ages are out I think - 17 in 1871 makes him born 1854.

I have just spotted something which could be interesting 

Searching for O'Neils in Bolton
1851 HO107; Piece: 2210; Folio: 40; Page: 18
has a host of people including a Mallace/Mellace family- with a John Onail father and another John and Mary Onail.
Census looks as though it could be Wallace.

Am having to go out now but would appreciate someone else's opinion and will look again when I return.