Hi Stacey,
I have heard nothing further from Niamh, and as she has no further details of a James McGreal we may have exhausted this line. Two other lines of inquiry , one which I received a reply to today suggests that their research is based on indexes rather than actual certs. Treating online trees with a bit of caution is the watchword.
A possible James McGreal engaged as a builder was married to a Bridget Acton in 1843 Oughaval C of I, Mayo. I am unable to identify any children to this marriage with the only McGreal Baptisms range from 1830-1849 none to a Bridget from my search.
Unfortunately for our purposes this James is very much alive as can be seen from the
1901 Census linkand the
1911 Census link.
If we accept that James is deceased at the time of John's marriage a possible is the
Civil Death linkfor a James registered just months before the marriage.If you do order this certificate it should show occupation and possible informant.
Another Birth of John in 1857 baptised at Oughaval RC Parishis is worth considering. A marriage in 1850 to a James and Bridget (surname not listed) at Oughaval RC Parish may be the parents. The online
IFHF Mayo siteindicate John 1857 is born to a James and Bridget but you will have to purchase credits to view the details. This will not however tie into the death record for 1889 unless the age of the deceased is grossly incorrect.
The James Mcgreal and Catherine Brown family of Bridge St has thrown up a few more issues. In 1881 a directory of occupations was carried out for Westport , link
Slaters Directory, which identies a John , James and Patrick McGreal of Bridge St carrying on the occupation of Butchers. If James the butcher is married to Catherine Brown clearly he is not our John's father who is a builder.
Another of the McGreal/Brown family is Timothy 1870 for which a
Civil Birth link would confirm his fathers occupation and therefore establish if there is any connection to your John in Liverpool.
To complicate matters further, two separate researchers have varying outcomes for this McGreal family. The last birth I could identify was in the last quarter of 1883 for a Richard McGreal which coupled with the registration of a death of a Catherine McGreal,
Civil Death link, may suggest she died in child birth or very nearby. Only speculation.
I might just add neither researcher seems to have all births on their trees.
The second researcher seems to have two members of the Mcgreal/Brown family with James having remarried to a Mary and a further seven children in tow.The IFHF will indicate the marriage of a James McGreal to a Mary Barrett in 1887 Westort CP to be this family. The conclusion here is again that this James is not related to your John in Liverpool by virtue of occupation and that he is very,very much alive.
The census
1901 linkhas the family away from Bridge ST and at Johns Row. James and Mary are deceased in 1907 and 1908 respectively and two of the younger members
Rose Census link and
Winifred Census link are separated from their family. Other members of the family are detailed at
Find a Grave link.
In summary there is a lot of conflicting information which may not be supported by actual certs and the like. I suggest you go with what you know and apply for a research copy of the 1889 death certificate for James from Roscommon GRO,
Shane147 notes will help, and see if that ties up any loose ends.
PAT.
