Bride Street Wexford

[Hereman]

Zakiemya10

Hello,

Having read your posts and having looked at the census records, I think I'm correct in saying that Bridget's father was Michael/William Swanson, that is Michael according to the 1901 record, living at 8, Furlong's Lane and as William in the 1911, now at number 5. His age suggesting a birth date about 1860(?) which does suggest he may well have been James' younger brother.

We do know that about 1886 when their daughter Mary Anne Swanson was born, James & Mary (Clear) lived in Temperance Row, Wexford and that James was a sailor.

As 'Shorts' has suggested the name Swanson was rare in Ireland, so the chances of two men with the same surname, of similar age living in the same town, not being related seems very unlikely.

I note that Michael/William is recorded as a 'quay labourer' in 1901 and though the transcription is unclear in 1911, I would suggest the entry suggests he was 'a fireman on a ship' in other words, a ship's stoker.

Coincidentally in the 1891 Census James is recorded as a 'dock labourer' in Liverpool, while in 1901 as 'an able seaman' and in 1910 (Son James' marriage certificate) as a 'mariner'.

Did William remain in Ireland after 1911 do you know?

Kind regards,

Neil

[zakiemya10]

Helle Hereman (Neil)

I dont know if he stayed in Wexford.  My Dad never mentioned that he ever left.  I do know he married a Margaret Whitmore in 1885 and my grandmother Bridget Swanson born in 1888.
My dad often said he was related to the Whitmores.  I cannot find a death for him in Ireland but found one for his wife Margaret in 1925.  What do you think? I know lots of men left ireland for England for work so I will have a look on relevant websites.  Thanks for your help.

[Hereman]

Hi again!

I should have re-read all the posts and would have realised that it seems like Bridget's family stayed put in Ireland by the looks of it.

I also had a proper look at 'Jack's suggestion of checking out the Swanson line in Ireland on the Family.org site. A couple of interesting entries immediately hit the eye namely the birth of a John Swanson in Wexford in 1822 (died 1864 also in Wexford) A Bridget Swanson with a d.o.b. in 1817/death 1877 in Wexford, though of course she could have been a Swanson wife rather than a sibling.
There's also a James Swanson born in 1817 who died in 1879, this is the chap Laura suspects may be James' (1854) father. No place of birth for him but he died in Wexford.

My wife's ancestry is very much linked with Wexford, albeit in the case of both grandparents this followed their move to Liverpool. Her maternal G/grandfather was also from Co. Wexford- Matthew Hore (b1861 in Ballyfrory, Duncormick, Co.Wexford. Although he lived and worked in Liverpool many years he actually died while visiting Eniscorthy in 1960!! His wife, Ellen Redmond was born in Camolin, Wexford in 1866 and died in Liverpool in 1940.

They all started out in the (in)famous 'Scottie Road' district of Liverpool as did so many Irish families who settled there in this period.

Regards,

Neil (Hereman)

[zakiemya10]

Hi Neil

Is there any other web sites I can search as I cannot find William Swanson's birth or death only his wife in 1925.
I have tried family search with no luck, but then I am not very experienced. As you say he probably is related to your wife's swansons
but to find a birth for him would be good.  My grandmother Bridget and my dad did say we have scandnavian heritage but they said they never had proof only hearsay. 

Thanks for your help
Mary

[shanew147]

...
Is there any other web sites I can search as I cannot find William Swanson's birth or death only his wife in 1925.
...

The FamilySearch BMD Index is the best source for civil records online.

Do you have an approximate year and place of birth for William ?



Shane

[Hereman]

Hi Mary,

I'm afraid though I've been researching family history since 1998, my knowledge of what's available 'on-line' for Irish records is almost non-existent.

UK mainland births, marriages and deaths, at least from 1837 onward are pretty well catered for with the 'Free BMD' site, indeed some counties now provide limited records also.

Again like you I've used the IGI a lot over the years, but it can be more to do with luck finding a likely 'suspect' rather than a definite 'relative'

To be honest before visiting this posting I'd made very little progress on the Irish side of our family and have much to thank you for starting it off and for 'Shorts' and others, most valuable input.

Sorry it's not much use I'm afraid.

Regards,

Neil

[Lauraboo]

Hi Shorts,

Thank you so very much for all your valuable information, I have not had full internet access during the past week, so although I have been able to see snippets I could not reply. So I just wanted to express my Thanks and let you no I haven't disapeared. I will be updating my tree based on yours and Hereman's work later on today. It goes without saying if I uncover anything I will share with you all. I'm hoping to make a trip to Wexford over bank holiday August, I want to view the church records too, I have had wonderful correspondance from the parish secretary and have the tel no. of the Sacristant in the parish. So if you have any record you want info on let me know and I will try and find your answer.

Best Wishes,
Laura 

[zakiemya10]

Hello Shane

I was always led to believe that he was born in Wexford.  I found one William Swanson born 1858 and died in Enniscorthy in 1937 probably the county home but the age is slight out.  Maybe that could be him but I am going by the age on the census.

Regards
Mary

[shanew147]

If William was born in 1858 then his birth will not be in civil records (full registration started in 1864), so you would need to search for his baptism in parish records. Unfortunately neither IrishGenealogy or RootsIreland include any Co. Wexford records.

Deaths are not always easy to trace, and the certs dont give much details and can sometimes be difficult to confirm.


Shane