census look-up (or any help at all!)

[amille68]

I have reached a dead end on my family tree and it's very discouraging, because I do have some information on them but it isn't leading anywhere.

The couple is named John and Jane Sands. They were both born in Ireland. John was born around 1861 and Jane was born around 1866. They were married in 1885 and immigrated to the United States in 1888. They eventually settled in Pennsylvania, where this information was extracted from the 1900 Pennsylvania census. Their oldest son, John, was about a year old when they immigrated. Several other children were born later in the United States. I don't know Jane's maiden name nor do I know the specific part of Ireland they hail from.

Can anyone help? Do these individuals appear on any other family trees out there? I'd appreciate any help locating the previous generation or finding out more about these two.

Thanks so much for your time!

[CaroleW]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat

Are the family on the 1910 census?  Any additional info re: birthyear/birthplace?

I found this entry on the IGI at www.familysearch.org and as it is closer to Jane's birthyear you may want to bear it in mind
     
JOHN SANDYS   Birth:  11 NOV 1864   Dublin   
Father  JOSEPH SANDYS   Mother  BRIDGET HENESY 

You may want to consider posting a request for a lookup on the 1901 Irish census for a Sands/Sandys with that profile because if he is found to be still in Ireland then you can eliminate him as a possible

Would John & Jane's American death certs give details of their parents?

Another possibility is to try and trace their son's birth in Ireland to get details of Jane's maiden name

[amille68]

They do appear on the 1910 census. By that time, their oldest, John, had left the house and struck out on his own. John and Jane were listed as ages 50 and 44, respectively, which is in keeping with the birth years reported in 1900. They were in Pittsburgh. I haven't been able to find death certificates for either of them, but continue to look.

Thanks!

[mosiefish]

Hi,

His naturalisation papers are on Ancestry    .  Born on the 5th August, 1859 County Down, Ireland.
Jane also born in County Down.  All their children are listed including dates of Birth.  If you don`t have access let me know and either send me a PM with your e-mail address or I will type it up.

Kind regards,
Mo
P.S. will have a look for Janes

[amille68]

I found them! Thanks so much. I think I've found his son John's naturalization papers as well. I've tried online to find a passenger list for the Manitoba, but haven't found anything yet.

I'm new to searching for relatives in Irish records. If I know where John was born and when, would the birth certificate be the best place to look for John's parents? Where are those kept in Ireland? I'll see what I can find, and really do appreciate all of the help so far. :-)

[mosiefish]

Hi,

Irish Civil Registration records for Births and deaths did not start until 1864.  Marriages were from 1845.  You can search these for free at www.familysearch.org.  Click on Search Records then Record Search Pilot.  Scroll down until you see Browse our Record Collection.  Click on Europe and then navigate down to Ireland Civil Registration Indexes.

So basically you are after a Parish Baptism for John Sands - not easy.  Alternatively you can see if you can locate either Annie or John`s birth in the registrations. 

I can`t find the Manitoba either    I suspect Jane, Annie and John went separately but were listed as English. 

Kind regards,
Mo

[amille68]

I'm overwhelmed by the number of possible parents for John Sands in County Down alone. His eldest son's naturalization papers say his last residence was Loughbrikland, so that helps. Unfortunately, none of the free record sites have vital stats for either John, and without Jane's maiden name I can't begin to find her. The pay site indexes don't have anything close enough that I would pay on the off chance it's him.

 I think you might be right, Mo, about misclassification. John Jr.'s World War I draft card lists him as "Bridish." You were also correct about the manner of travel. John Sr. left from Londonderry and arrived in Philadelphia. John Jr. left from Queenstown and arrived in New York. :-)

[mosiefish]

Hi,

You may be better posting on the Ireland board of Rootschat for further help. 

On his Naturalisation Papers and WW1 registration John Jnr states he was born Loughbrickland which I believe came under the registration district of Banbridge.  There is a birth registered in the April to June Quarter 1887 Banbridge for a John Sands.   

Good Luck,

Regards,
Mo