walsh family

[shelwin]

I have just started to search for part of the Walsh family from Enniscorthy. My only lead starts with my childrens' grandfather, Jack Walsh, who was born there on 4 August 1912, as recorded on his death certificate in England in 1987. I believe his mother may have been called Sally, or perhaps this was an elder sister who helped look after the large family of some 13 children. He emigrated sometime after that date, and married in England in 1943, and I cannot as yet trace his parents back in Ireland. He was very much involved with horses. The Irish IGI has not come up with any suggestions at all, and he was born just too late for the 1911 census.

I know the family was extensive, but could anyone please help with getting started with this one?

[shanew147]

Walsh is quite a common surname in the south-east so it's probably worth gathering a few more clues to your Walsh family first. I think the best place to start would be with Jack's marriage cert - since this would give you his father's name and occupation and could help you locate him on the 1911 Irish census.

The IGI does not cover dates this recent, but familysearch does have a copy of the Index to Irish BMDs, which you can use to establish the references needed to order certs from the GRO.

see :  Introduction to Irish Records

If the date on the death cert is accurate, then there is a possible match for his birth under the name John - Jack is often used as a nickname for John.

 Name: John Joseph Walsh
 Registration district: Enniscorthy
 Event type: Birth
 Registration quarter and year: Jul-Sep 1912
 Volume : 4 / Page: 482


Shane

[shelwin]

Many thanks Shane. I was aware of the frequency of the name thereabouts!  I should be able to obtain Jack's marriage certificate, so maybe that's where to start.  He was always called Jack, so John Joseph would be quite a turn for the books! It certainly looks a possibility, and I will take a chance on getting the certificate.   Edwin

[shanew147]

John F. Kennedy was known within his own family as Jack, so not unusual 

There's doesn't seem to be any births for a Jack Walsh around the right time and location, so it would seem likely that the registration was under another name.


Shane

[shorts]

Whilst 'Jack' was a common nickname adopted by families (probably to distinguish a person from other John's in the family as was the case with my great Uncle's family) the name was not very common as an official  forename. Whilst there were 8,515 'Johns' in Co Wexford per the 1911 census there were just 23 'Jacks' which is quite surprising.

Statistically therefore it's highly unlikely that the birth of 'Jack' Walsh was registered with this forename.