The Downey Family

[timothypickles]

Hi
Is there anyone else out there trying to trace a Downey family from Cork?

My 2xgreatgrandfather was called Timothy Downey and he died in Pontypool in 1859 aged 32 leaving behind his wife Mary and 4 children, Mary, Kate, Ann and James (my greatgrandfather) Mary (the mother) died in 1870 and following her death her children all moved to Middlesbrough. Mary married William French and later Edward Donaghy, Kate (Catherine) married John Humphrey, Ann married Patrick Whelan and James married Mary Moynahan. There are other Downey families in and around Wales and Middlesbrough areas and I am struggling to work out if they are related in any way. Do you know who Timothy's parents were or if he had any siblings?
Please help!

[Morganllan]

Hello 

On 1861, I found a Daniel Downey, age 36, born Cork, living in Trevethin, with his wife Ann, and children Margaret, Daniel, Ann, Ellen, Mary A, and Cornelius. Daniel's occupation is given as Fireman (probably colliery).

RG9 Piece 4009 Folio 66 Page 64

Possible marriage of Daniel Downey and Ann (probably Murphy) in 1845
GRO ref: Pontypool volume 26 page 167

Seems likely that Daniel was related to Timothy.

Looks as if Daniel died Pontypool area 1862.

Kind Regards
Morgan

[Morganllan]

It looks as if Timothy and Mary were married in Ireland, and Mary and Ann were born there too. Kate (Catherine) and James were born in Wales so you should be able to get their birth certificates, which would provide Mary's maiden name.

On the 1861, there is a Timothy Downey, age 64 (born Ireland ca 1797. He has a wife Catherine, and 21 years old son James. They were living at 35 Love Lane, Cardiff, and both men were labourers.

RG9 Piece 4032 Folio 78 Page 20

This may be the parents and brother of your Timothy, given the family names.

Best Wishes
Morgan

[Jabber41]

Hi, my grandmother was Mary Ann Downey from Middlesbrough. Her mother was Margaret Downey and she was born in Wales although her older sister was born in Cork. Her sister was Ann and her sister was married to Patrick Whelan. I notice there isn't a Margaret mentioned on your list though. The census I have lists Margaret as living with Ann and Patrick Whelan at 4 Tees Street Middlesbrough with their children William and James. Is this the same family?

[timothypickles]

Hi Jabber41

Yes it is. I did'nt include Margaret because she was not Timothy's daughter, her birth father was a man called William Allen.
I have spent several years working out Margaret's life and only recently discovered Mary Anne. I have tracked down Margaret's birth certificate, marriage and baptisms of 4 children in Middlesbrough.
Let me know if you would like to see them.

[Jabber41]

Hi Timothy,
Thank you so much! I would love to see them. It seems to be a common pattern with my nana's family re: the father thing. My nana, Mary Ann, had a different father listed on her birth certificate to the man her mother (Margaret) was living with so tracing her background has been tricky.
Mary Ann had a really difficult and impoverished childhood. She spent most of it living in workhouses and then an orphanage when Margaret died in her 30's. The orphanage was run by nuns and had a dreadful reputation for cruelty.