Looking for Mary Jane Coates linked to Wade family of Wexford town

[canberragirl]

My grandmother, Mary Jane Coates has been impossible to find - my sister and I have been searching for her for a long time and are coming up with nothing! We can't find a birth cert or any info on her birth. She was born in Wexford. We believe she was brought up by a family called Wade, her mother we believe died in childbirth or shortly after her birth - On her marriage certificate to Joseph Carroll in1896 in Glencullen, Co Dublin her father is listed as Daniel Coates (alive). We have a suspicion that her birth may be registered under a different name as Daniel Coates her father is listed as unmarried in the 1901 Census at Springfield Lot 2 Killgibben, Co Wexford. Perhaps her mother was not married to Daniel Coates. We were hoping that a Wade family in Wexford would come to our aid and that someone would know the story of Mary Jane! From family stories told by my father we had a connection to the Delaney's of Parnell Street, Wexford. My father said he had a cousin called Kevin Delaney this could be Thomas Kevin Delaney born in 1910 son of Mary Alice Wade and Thomas Delaney hence this Wade connection. It appears that my father visited Parnell St, often, as he worked for the Automobile Association in Dublin and was always travelling around ireland and made many visits to Wexford. Perhaps there are Delaneys out there who could also help with this mystery. Any light shed on this would be most appreciated. Thank you.

[Sordibub]

Hello Canberragirl

I'm afraid I don't have any news for you.
You have quite a problem there - it's going to be difficult to find your Mary Jane's birth if you don't have her surname. I suppose she was born 1870ish from your post. When you say she was born in Wexford, do you mean Wexford Town?
It doesn't look like she was born in the Wexford Workhouse (as would be the case for a number of illegitimate births)...
http://kilmoregenealogy.com/hidden_wexford_genealogy/Wexford_Workhouse_Births.htm
Rachel

[canberragirl]

Hi Rachel, Thanks for replying - Yes Mary Jane Coates was born in Wexford town according to my father. He apparently visited relatives of hers in Parnell Street, Wexford. She referred to her mother as mary.we have had all sorts of theories that this Mary could be the woman who brought her up possibly the mother of Mary Allice Wade - a Mary Harper or Harpur- married to a Pierce Wade. Currently we are investigating this and also a Margaret Harper or Harpur who had a child born around 1873 called Mary. Our Mary Jane's actual birthdate is also unsure.

[Sordibub]

Yes, a bit challenging all right.
The only thing I might say is that illegitimate children tended to be named after their mother or father, rather than grandparents etc. Take a look at the illegitimate births in the Workhouse. However, you already believe that Mary Jane's mother was "Mary" so this isn't much help.
Rachel

[canberragirl]

Hi Rachel,
My sister is waiting on some info to come so perhaps if we are lucky enough to find her and she is a  Mary Harper - would the father's name be on the birth certificate if she was illegitimate? What  RC parish is Francis St ,Parnell Street and John Street, Wexford attached to? Maybe we can look at Parish records for the Harper/Wade connection and find a Baptism for her!! We think that Mary Harper/Wade was her aunt! We are being v/hopeful.
Thanks again, Canberragirl.

[LH]

I wonder why Mary Jane married in the tiny village of Glencullen (Co Dublin) in 1896.  Was she living/working in the area, having moved out of Wexford - or did she ever live in Wexford?

Cheers

[Sordibub]

Hi Canberragirl
The father's name may or may not be on the birth record.
There is only one set of Catholic Wexford Town parish records so they will include the streets you mention. Unfortunately, parish records are only in the public domain up until 1880.
Best wishes
Rachel

[aghadowey]

In the case of an illegitimate child the father is not written on the birth certificate although the father's name may sometimes appear in the baptismal record depending on the clergyman.

[canberragirl]

To Rachel and Aghadowey thanks for your input every piece of info helps no matter how small and gives a greater understanding of how things work etc. I'm certainly learning a lot.

Regards Canberragirl