I haven't tried in here before

[Gene Genius]

Hello cariad, seems funny using this address because this is one of the ways I address people anyway.

With reference to the link you mentioned above, I had discovered these names myself previously.

The marriage was held in St Giles C of E Church but I know my grandad was RC.

Although I am waiting for the 1911 census to be published for Denbighshire, I am not expecting to get any more information from it.

It is all just supposition you see unless I can find a direct link with a Dominic.

I post on many Family History forums and what I dream of I suppose is for someone called MacDonald also researching their tree to come forward and say that their grandad was called Dominic and that he had a son who moved down to Wales.

It may be that I need a military researcher to find my grandad's record for me and that may give me some more information as to where exactly he was born.

[~cariad~]

Ah that will be the Welsh in you, caru! 

The Dominic and Bridget couple in 1901 don't have a James at home with them in 1891 - don't know if you can say categorically that that rules them out though.

I think the 1911 census will be much more helpful than you think - it should tell you where he says he was born at least!  Have you found him in the earlier censuses, I don't think you've said?

Have you looked at James' medal card on Ancestry - I think you said you have access to it?  And I don't suppose any of the CWGC details of JPMcDs gave a father called Dominic?

~cariad~

[Gene Genius]

Hello again,

I bought the copy of his medal card but he was listed as JP Mcdonald. It is him though.

I actually have his medals here and those of my father which is nice. I feel very privileged.

My grandmother was mentioned on the 1901 census as still being a young girl and living with her parents in Wrexham. There was no mention of my grandad at that time but he would only have been about 14 and would not have moved down here yet.

You may be right about the 1911 census. I just hope he was at home on the night of the census and not working underground for he was a miner before he joined the army.

[~cariad~]

I know that this isn't a perfect fit but have you considered him?

1901 census    RG13 Piece 5237   Folio 61   

Patrick Mc DONNELL sailor single 19 able seaman worker born Antrim Cushindal (Cushendall)

He's on board the Steamer Gem in Llanddulas, Denbighshire.

There's also a John Mc DONNELL from Cushendall on board.


~cariad~

[O1dgobbo]

Hi

I have just looked at a medal card for a JP McDonald: he seems to have had three numbers:

8033 Royal Welsh Fusiliers
15531 Welsh Regiment
266931 Welsh Regiment

and was awarded the Victory Medal.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission show him as Welsh Regt, 1st/6th Battalion, died 25/11/1918 and buried at St Sever Cemetry Extension, Rouen.

Is this the one that we are hunting?

All the best

Gobbo

[Gene Genius]

That is him, the only difference being that I have two medals for him both with his name on them.

He died of avian flu two weeks after Armistice when his family were celebrating the end of the war and expecting him home.

[Annie65115]

My grandfather was killed in WW1 and I have a copy of his obituary that was printed at the time in the local newspaper, complete with photo of him.

Have you tried the newspaper archives for the relevant area?

If there was an obit I don't suppose it will give his parents' names but might say a bit about his background or place of birth, as my grandfather's did.

[O1dgobbo]

Hi

I have looked for a man with any of his his regimental numbers but have not found anyone with a name remotely like McDonald.  I suspect that his service records are among the 2/3 lost in the fire.

How do you know that he died of avian flu?

What are the two medals of his that you hold and what is engraved round the rim of each?

All the best

Gobbo

[O1dgobbo]

Hi

Your enquiry continues to trouble me.  Your original information about your Grandfather, James Patrick McDonald, is derived from his 1911 marriage certificate.  In my family the marriage certificates are the most likely to contain misleading information. I have seen wrong names, wrong ages, fictional fathers and dodgy descriptions of occupation. If James was born out of wedlock he may not have known who his father was and to avoid embarrassment may have given his Grandfather's name at the wedding.

All the best

Gobbo