Searching Irish records is new to me and I cannot understand why I am finding it so difficult compared with England/Scotland. I would be grateful for any suggestions.
Here is ALL of the information I have.
My great aunt is Mary Keys, born 22 October 1908, in Findermore, Clogher, Tyrone. I have a copy of her birth certificate.
Her father is Thompson Keys, carpenter, dwelling place Findermore
Her mother is Martha Jane Keys, formerly Keys.
I looked for marriage for Thompson Keys - nothing for wife with maiden name Keys, but there is a record - Thompson Keys married Martha Jane Robinson, 29 Jan 1902.
There is a 1911 census record for
Thompson Keys, Head of family, age 50, birth 1861
Martha Keys, wife, age 36, birth 1875
William Keys, son, 6, 1905
Thompson Keys, son, 4, 1907
Mary Keys, daughter, 2, 1909 - Great Aunt Mary
Thomas, McGirr, boarder
The Aunt Mary story in the family is limited - she is reported to have left home aged 16 years, and taken a boat to England where she found work in the household of a wealthy family named Millington. Her reason for leaving so young was that she had many siblings, but so far I have found only Mary and two brothers.
Mary Keys and George Woods (born 28 Sep 1910) were married in 1938 in Uppingham, Rutland and the rest of their lives were spent Rutland or Leicestershire.
They had one daughter born 1945, died 2014.
George died 10 Dec 1967, Mary died 7 Feb 1987.
I am very familiar with the George Woods side of the family but Mary Keys and her Irish origins are my ‘brick wall’.
