Hmm, it is getting interesting.
I took your advice and got the birth record for Francis from Scotlands People.
It is definitely the same family, that James mentions in his marriage cert.
The father is Lawrence Boylan (a journeyman mason). The mother is Charlotte Boylan (née Brown). It also has the marriage information - 11th November 1858 at "Castleblarney", Ireland. (Edit - actually, it looks more like "Castleblayney", but the join is right on the y)
I'll try to follow-up on this through the Irish records, now I have a concrete place to start. But it still leaves 2 unanswered questions:
- Where was James, before and after the birth of his son? Back to Ireland?
- Who are his biological parents? It is John and Mary Ann, or Lawrence and Charlotte. If the former, why was he living next door in 1871?
I had a look for the birth of John Boylan in 1865, but couldn't find the right one. He could have been born in Ireland, of course.
I'll keep you posted on what else I can find.
Thanks again!
