1851/61 William Donovan

[halfasheep]

From memory (back in work now) the book was written in the late 1990's (Mr McCormack is still writing, yet I'm sure he's in his 80's or 90's now - he's currently doing one on deaths in the local mines). It's quite possible that the 1879 date is out by ten years as it is over 100 years after the event!

I was wondering about the Colston statement - I wonder if it's been transcribed incorrectly? I'm pretty certain the Colston's are still in Maesteg (unsure about Mary), but I'm pretty certain that they are freinds with my tgrandparents, and possibly some of their children were in school with my mother - I certainly recognise the surname. I have to pop into my parents tonight anyway, so I'll have a word with my mother and give my gran a ring later tonight - I may be able to get you some contact details if you haven't already got any - let me know and I'll see if I can get some addresses for you.

Will reply again tonight - all the best - glad I could help a little anyway (even if it may have confused the issue further!)

[quirk_cantwell]

You are very kind Chris,
you are right Mary Colston is a little confusing because as far as I have worked out she was Jeremiah's husband and her maiden name was Donovan. Hopefully I havent got it all wrong. I suppose there is a chance that Jeremiah did have a dad Jeremiah but it will take a while to discover that as I am not the one that is related to the family in England who will be purchasing the certificates. Perhaps as it was so long ago the Colstons that you know may not know the connection with the Connolly or Donovan family. John Connolly's family moved to Pontypridd dist after 1906 and then most of them ended up in England as far as I can work out.
Time will tell what the full story is.
Dont work too hard
Cheers
Shauna

[halfasheep]

It's quite possible - if this Mary Colston has advised that the Jeremiah who died in 1879/1889 was her father-in-law, then this would suggest that she was born around the turn of the century herself (if not a little earlier). I know Mr McCormack researches his books over the course of years, so that statement itself could have been ten years old at the time of publishing, and Mary could well have been into her later years - it may be mistranscribed, a slip of the tongue on her behalf, or posisbly even a completely different family.

Like you say, the death certificate should hopefully clear things up. Am actually going to get back on with my work now 

[quirk_cantwell]

Gidday Chris,
Sorry to bother you again but I am reading it differently from you. If Mary Colson is the daughter in law of Jeremiah in the article ie 1877 then the only way it fits is if one of the Jeremiahs who died in 1877 was my Jeremiahs father. If the article is correct it means Jeremiah who died 1877 must have come from Bedwelty or Cardiff but went to Maesteg to be near his son.
As you say we cant really go any further until I get some confirmation from the certificates.
Have a good one and thanks again for your time
Shauna

[halfasheep]

I'm quite confused to be honest. If she was the daughter in law of Jeremiah Connolly who died in 1879, then really, her surname should also be Connolly as she would have married one of his sons?

I assume (and you're really going to need some certificates here!) that Mary Colston is in fact the Mary Donovan who was married to Jeremiah Connolly, who then died, and then subsequently married James Colston? Am I reading this right? It's even more complicated than my lot who didn't believe in using a lot of different christian names and marrying their in-laws (causing lots of confusion).

If this is correct, then your Jeremiah's father could well have also had a father of the same name (who died in 1879 rather than 1889), and you may well have now gone one step back!

But this would suggest that she provided the author with this information about 20 to 30 years before he wrote the book as she was born circa 1859?? I'll speak to my gran - she's usually fairly reliable (after my grandfather corrects here), but you'll owe me for the hours of rambling she'll put me through!

[halfasheep]

I've also located some Colstons in Maesteg - I'll have to PM you their details or the moderators will have a fit 

[vandkgene]

Hi,
I'm in the William Donovan - Mary Connolly line (or at least I think I am!). 
I have a copy of a report in the Western Mail, 10th Dec 1887, re the demise of Jerimiah.  The reply page doesn't seem to want to allow me to attach it but, if you would like a copy we can exchange email addresses.
Kevin

[quirk_cantwell]

A  little more info came to hand that hopefully might help someone find William Donovan in the 1841/1851 census. He was living at Charles St Aberavon when his daughter Mary was married in 1859. He was a cordwainer. This must have been just before he moved to Mountain Row, Aberavon where he was in 1861
Fingers crossed this helps find him
Shauna

[adey]

I am Jeremiah Connollys Great Great Grandaughter, my great grandmother was Mary Connolly who married Stephen Maloney in 1898 at the Catholic Church Maesteg.

Jeremiah was killed tragically in Llwydarth carrying pig iron where he fell and died of his injuries.

His wife was Mary Donovan (my great great grandmother).

She later remarried to James Colston who lodged at her address and she had further children.

What is interesting is that the 'Colston' name does not exist - James allegedly left England and changed his name from Appleby to Colston after seeing Bristol Colston Hall on route to Wales.

I am researching my tree but stalling with Jeremiah due to the Irish connection.

My great great great grandfather William Donovan was also Irish so again stalling.