James Mernagh

[hedwig06]

Shane,

I have found Charlotte's maiden name, its Bowley from mayoancestors.com.
I have also found them on the 1881 census onwards living in Birmingham, where Charlotte states she was born. 

Its more James Mernagh's birth, so I can follow his family back, that I wanted to try and do.

Angi x

[shanew147]

I was just wondering if the maiden surname could be cross-checked using any English birth records based on the census information you already have  ... I'm a little worried that the marriage is quite a distance from Co. Mayo...

A marriage cert will give you James' residence, occupation, fathers name and occupation which should help track his birth...



Shane

[heywood]

Hello everyone,

Catherine Elizabeth Mernagh's birth was registered in Ballinrobe area - I was wondering if James was in the Army perhaps? That could be a reason for their moving from one place to another in Ireland.
The marriage certificate would be a real help as Shane says.

best wishes
heywood

[hedwig06]

Heywood,

I had been thinking along the lines of James being in the army, or a profession that required alot of travelling.

What is becoming clear is I'm not going to be able to search for James, that easily

As all the Irish boards, threads and resources say that you have to have an area to be able to search for Irish
families, as "my" James seems to be a traveller, thats not going to be easy

Thanks everyone for all the input, thoughts and finds.  I will wait for James's marriage certificate to arrive and see if it helps.

Angi x

[heywood]

That's the best bet!

As gorgeous as Mayo is, it would be a waste of time to go there if he was only passing through - as it were.

Please let us all know the results of the certificate.

best wishes
heywood

PS I looked for the Bowleys last night- they seem to disappear from English census - have you found them? (I was curious as to why Charlotte was in Ireland too  )

[shanew147]

I had a look at some trade directories, newspapers etc last night and saw reference of a couple of Bowley families in Dublin around the right time - one was a solicitor and other some sort of business selling hair dye and potions etc..  Angi let me know if these are of interest and will put the details together for you.

I also had a look though the various English census returns for James and family - 1881/91/01, and see confirmation of the Bowley connection through the nephew (Thomas) in 1891.



Shane

[heywood]

Hi Shane,
I had James as a bricklayer, I think- is that right?

[shanew147]

as far as I remember he was a Bricklayer/Labourer in 1881/91 and difficult to read in 1901 but something like Coalswader? 


Shane

[hedwig06]

Heywood & Shane,

I also have James Bowley as a Bricklayer, (1851 census), they then disappear!!  I presume they didn't return to England at all apart from Charlotte.  Charlotte had 2 brother & a sister, which I cannot pinpoint a marriage for any of them on the English BDM's, or seem to find them on the English census's after 1851 either.

I haven't tried looking at deaths for any of them yet.

I am really curious as to why the Bowley family went over to Ireland, as the majority of people were coming to England from Ireland at that time - Weren't they

As to the information you refer to Shane, I would love it if you didn't mind, it could hold some clues/ideas, even if they aren't my direct Bowley family.

Thanks for all your input.