Catherine Whelan : Short Biography

Catharine Whelan (married name: Nolan), born1859 in Westport (Oughaval Parish), County Mayo, Ireland. This is her birth family as reconstructed from records:

Mother:

Anne Joyce born 1832, died 1871 age 39. Westport Death Register says place of death - Bridge St., Westport; cause of death - Phthisis, sick 2 years; present at death, John Whelan (her eldest son)

Father:

Richard Whelan, birthdate and deathdate unknown.

• He first appears in Westport records in 1851, when, according to the 1851 emendation of an 1842 Griffth’s Valuation, he rented a house at #29 Castlebar St. in Westport.  The house was 22.6’ in length, 20’ in breadth, by 17.6’ height. There was also a “hen cote” (chicken coop or house) 22 by 13 by 12. The house had a small backyard. The yearly rent was £10-0-0-, landlord Mr. Wm. Levingston. Richard is still in this house on the 1855 valuation, although the number is now #30 Castlebar St (tho dimensions match exactly). [Livingston is the man who owned the prominent brewery in Westport in the 1837 Lewis history of Ireland’s counties and towns: “In the town is an extensive distillery belonging to W. Livingston, Esq., established in 1826, producing annually about 60,000 gallons of whiskey and consuming 9000 bushels of grain; a brewery belonging to the same gentleman, and established by his father in 1800, has very much declined since the reduction of the duty on spirits, but is still considerable; in both these concerns about 150 men are regularly employed.Another brewery, with a malting concern, has been established by Messrs. Graham, who have two salt-works and three corn-stores on the quay, and a tannery in the town, affording together employment to 30 persons, and to double that number during the winter.”) By 1855 he is also in possession of two other buildings on Castlebar, one 19 by 9.6 by 9 and the other 22.6 by 13 by 12. Richard is recorded as a miller and a shopkeeper in vital and court records, so these may be his mill and shop buildings. These other documents record the family’s continued presence on Castlebar St. to the 1870s – a long period of domestic stability. By 1901 Censes, there are no Whelans living on Castlebar St., nor on Bridge St., nor in Westport.
• Richard appears in several court cases during his working years on Castlebar St. Those through the 1860s are definitely his; those after 1873 may have been his son, Richard Jr. We do not have a death date for Richard Sr., nor can we confirm emigration for Richard Jr., so once Richard Jr. reaches his majority (1876), it is hard to distinguish court records for father and son. However, note that by 1880, the occupation for Richard shifts to “publican,” (pub keeper), which I think may indicate that by then we are dealing with the son. Again, I cannot find a death record for Richard Sr. Court cases up to 1880:
  • 1862 Richard Whelan [Father], 2/17/1862 – Defendant, Westport, Ireland Petty Sessions Court Registers, Debt – Richard Whelan, shopkeeper, to much money advanced to defendant’s wife as a deposit for bags [for flour grist?]. Dismissed without prejudice and without costs.
  • 1864 Richard Whelan [Father], 7/28/1864 – Defendant, Westport, Ireland Petty Sessions Court Registers, Richard Whelan, shopkeeper, had not his name painted upon his cart while using same on the street at Westport on 20 July, 1864. Fined.
  • 1865 Richard Whelan [Father], 8/24/1865 – Witness, Westport, Petty Sessions Court Registers, [no occ. given] witnessed an assault at Westport Workhouse [?]
  • 1866 Richard Whelan [Father] 1/18/1866 Defendant/Witness, Ireland Petty Sessions Court Register. Richard Whelan, miller, wages due, ordered to pay
  • 1873 Richard Whelan [likely Father 5/15/1873 – Defendant, Ireland Petty Sessions Court Registers, Defendant Richard Whelan, shopkeeper, charged by complainant Mary Gallagher, servant, of owning £3-18-0 as wages as servant. No appearance

Marriage of Parents: Richard Whelan and Anne Joyce were married in 1851, the same year that he first appeared in Westport records on Castlebar St. She was 19 at the time of their marriage. Oct. 8, 1851 Married Richard Whelaghan to Anne Joyce, witness Patrick Whelan and Mary Joyce. [Note: this is the only Whelan-Joyce marriage record between 1848 and 1856] From Roman Catholic Parish Registers Microfilms Marriages – Film 04210/08

Children [Possible but uncertain siblings in italics]

1. John Joseph, b. 1852, married Barbara Ruddy April 10 1872 in Westport, at age 19, when he was listed as a merchant [rootsireland]. The same year he is listed as a shopkeeper in a court action. He may have taken over his father’s shop, or joined him then. There is no record of births, nor any additional court actions, after 1872; it is possible that he emigrated to the US at that time. If so, he could be the brother who proceeded Catharine to America, according to my mother, who is Catharine Whelan’s (married Nolan) granddaughter.

• Birth: 1852 - August 15, 1852. John Joseph of Richard Wheleghan and Anne Joyce. Witness John Whelaghan and Mary Joyce. From Roman Catholic Parish Registers of Baptisms: Microfilms 
• Marriage: John Whelan of Westport, son of Richard Whelan, to Barbara Ruddye of Carrownalurgan, daughter of Michael Ruddye of Carrownalurgan.Witness Peter Whelan  and Mary Ruddye of Westport, Roman Catholic Parish Registers Microfilms Marriages – Film 04210/08; see also Civil Marriage Records, RootsIreland: 10 April 1872, Westport district. John Whealen, MERCHANT, age 19, previously unmarried, son of Richard Whealen, Miller to Barbara Ruddy, Carrownalurgan , age 19, spinster, daughter of Thomas Ruddy, Sleator, witnessed Peter Whealen & Mary Ruddy. RC. [Roman Catholic]
• Court Records
  • 1868 – John Whelan [Brother] 4/23/1868 – Ireland Petty Sessions Court Registers – John Whelan, laborer, Westport, Defendant. Defendant did play at a game of ball on the street at Westport 18 April 1868. Penalty one penny, with one shilling and 6 pence costs [John was 16 when fined].
  • 1872 - John Whelan 10/24/1872. John Whelan, shopkeeper, Westport, Defendant had on 12 Oct. 1872 at Westport, several unjust weights and unjust beams and scales in his shop [is this his shop or his father’s?]. Required to pay fine and forfeit weights, beam, and scales. Note: John married in 1872.

2. Richard Jr., 1856, appears to have been a publican in Westport by1880 and still living on Castlebar St. in 1883 when he licensed his dog and was fined for failing to pay Spring          Grand Jury fees.

• Birth: 1856 - Jan. 6, 1856. Richard Whelan [recorded Whelehan] baptized 6 Jan 1856, Westport, Parish Aughaval, Diocese Tuam, County Mayo, father Richard Whelehan, mother Anne, From Roman Catholic Parish Registers of Baptisms: Microfilms
• Possible marriage record: a Richard Whelan married Ann Donnovan in Kilkenny in 1882; (source: rootsireland). Kilkenny is south west Ireland. See also: 1882, Oct. 17, 1882, a Richard Whelan of Ballyveria Glenmore, Laborer, son of Richard Whelan, farmer, [?] married Anne Donovan, same address, daughter of John Donovan, witness Richard Grant and Margaret Bolger POSSIBLE, not strong, as his father was not a farmer; District of Westport, County of Mayo, Marriage Certificates
• Court records [Could be Richard Sr. or Jr., but more likely Richard Jr.
  • 1880 Richard Whelan [Father or brother], 4/1/1880. Ireland Petty Sessions Court Registers, Richard Whelan, publican, defendant, had in his shop on 3 March 1880 unjust pint measures as contrary to law. Fined and forfeited measure.
  • 1883 Richard Whelan [Father or Brother] Dog License, of Castlebar St., Westport, no occupation given, male dog, black & tan terrier, fee 1-2-6
  • 1883 Richard Whelan [Father or Brother] 9/20/1883 Ireland Petty Sessions Court Registers, No occupation given, Defendant has not paid High Constable at his house or office the sum of £0-6-24 being the amount of Spring Grand Jury Cass[?] due by said defendant.

3. Bridget 1858. This is not the same as the Bridget Whelan who died in 1886, aged 27; that was the wife of Joseph Whelan, Railway Porter.

4. Catherine, b. 1859l died 1926 in Brooklyn, NY – This is my mother's grandmother. 

• Birth: 1859 – July 24 - Catherine Whelan, 1859, baptized July 24, Father Richard, Mother Anne, witnesses John and Sarah Joyce/Loyce/Lyce. From Roman Catholic Parish Registers of Baptisms: Microfilms
• According to her New York death certificate, she emigrated in 1884.
• Catherine (always called "Kate" Whelan married Philip F. Nolan (born 1851 in Baltimore, Maryland) 22 April 1884 in Manhatten, NY. 
• Children: The couple had 7 children. Their first born was Sarah Veronica Nolan, my grandmother. In 1915 Sarah (always called "Sadie") was married in Brooklyn NY, to Charles E. Deane of Barbados. Their daughter, Helen Mary Deane, was born July 27, 1920, and is still alive! Helen Deane married Wm. A. Babson in New York in 1951; she has four living children, 6 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

5. Thomas, 1861, d. 1866 – [POSSIBLE ONLY] can’t find in baptismal registers, only in later death record; this may be a different family

• Death: Thomas Whelan, age 5, died 1866 (brother or different family) District of Westport, County of Mayo Death Certificates

6. Ellen 1861, m. James Aslett of Westport, 1882[couple followed, below]

• Birth: 1860 or 1861 - March 6 or 8 Ellen of Richard and Anne Whelan, witness John Whelan and Ellen Joyce or Lyce. Fee 50-0. From Roman Catholic Parish Registers of Baptisms: Microfilms
• Marriage: Jan. 7 1882 Ellen Whelan of Westport Town, daughter of Richard of Westport Town, to James Aslett of Westport Ban?, son of James Aslett of Lombeth, sponsor Pat Whelan of town, Margaret Farrelly of town.  Roman Catholic Parish Registers Microfilms Marriages – Film 04210/08

7. Anne – 1862, m. Thos Quinn

• Birth: 1862 – Anne, born 27 Sept. 1862, Baptized 9 Oct 1862, Castlebar St., Oughval Parish, County Mayo, Father Richard Whelan, Mother Anne Joyce, Sponsors Peter Whelan and Bridget Joyce. From Roman Catholic Parish Registers of Baptisms: Microfilms
• Marriage: 1882, July 23, 1882, marriage of Anne Whelan, spinster age 17 (so born around 1867 if she gave her true age) of Castlebar St., daughter of Richard, Millwright, and Thomas Quinn, age 26, policeman of Shop street, son of Thomas Quinn (dead) farmer. Likely daughter or Richard & Anne Whelan; District of Westport, County of Mayo, Marriage Certificates
• NB: also in R.C. marriage to Thos Quinn in 1879 as Nancie, daughter EDWARD WHELAN m. to Thos Quinn. Be careful in searching children!

8. Patrick Joseph Alouisious b. 1864

• Birth: 1864 - Patrick Joseph Alouisious Male Child of Richard Whelan, Castlebar St. Westport – Shopkeeper – Anne Whelan formerly Joyce, May 31, 1864. From Civil Records/Birth Certificates - www.irishgenealogy.ie District of Westport, County of Mayo. In Ireland Petty Sessions of the Court records on 31 July 1879, he was a Railway Porter in Westport.

9. Sarah b. 1866, d. 24 Feb. 1869 aged 2 at Castlebar St. by civil records (rootsireland)

• Birth: 1866 – Sarah Whelan, Female - Richard Whelan, Castlebar St. Westport – Miller – Anne Whelan formerly Joyce, Aug. 10^th 1866. From Civil Records/Birth Certificates - www.irishgenealogy.ie District of Westport, County of Mayo
• Death: Sarah Wheilan, age 2, died Feb. 24, 1869, Castlebar St., Westport, daughter of Shopkeeper,  Householder Julia Gannon, Peter Street Westport (rootsireland)

10. Mary Jane 1867

• Birth: Mary Jane Whelan, 1867, birth, Nov. 15; baptism, Nov. 24, Aughaval Parish, Tuam Diocese, Mayo County, Father Richard, Mother Anne. Roman Catholic Parish Registers Baptisms: from Findmypast: From Transcriptions; also Civil Record: 1867 – Mary Jane – female – daughter of Richard Whelan, Castlebar St. Westport – Shopkeeper – Anne Whelan formerly Joyce, 3 Dec. 1867. From Civil Records/Birth Certificates - www.irishgenealogy.ie District of Westport, County of Mayo
• Possible marriage:
  • Marriage to Laurence Reddy of Clane 6-29-1881; R.C. parish register from rootsireland);  see also civil record, Mary Whelan of Clane, daughter of Richard Whelan, m. Laurence Reddy of Clane, son of James Reddy,  29 June 1881, witness Patrick Rouke and Anne Slevin – R.C. Parish Marriage Records; District of Westport, County of Mayo, Marriage Certificates I
• They likely stayed in Capdoo as there is a dog license issued to Lawrence Reddy there in 1901, 1908, 1914.

11. Emily 1869, d. 1871;

• Birth: 1869 – Emily – female - Richard Whelan, Castlebar St. Westport – Shopkeeper – Anne Whelan formerly Joyce, 29 Nov, 1869. From Civil Records/Birth Certificates - www.irishgenealogy.ie District of Westport, County of Mayo; Also Birth: Emily Whelan, 1869, birth Dec. 1?, baptism Dec., 5 Tuam Diocese,  Aughaval Parish, Mayo County Father Richard, Mother Anne Roman Catholic Parish Registers Baptisms: from Findmypast:From Transcriptions
• Death: Emily Whelan, age 1, died 1871. District of Westport, County of Mayo Civil Death Certificates. Death Registration, Emily Whelan, age 1 ½, daughter of Miller, died at home on Bridge St., of convulsions. Present at death: Peter Whelan.

12. Sarah 1870 or 1871

• Birth: Sarah Whelehan, 1870, birth Nov. 15, baptism Nov. 16, Father Richd, Mother, Anne, Domicile (illegible), film 04210/11 From Roman Catholic Parish Registers of Baptisms: Microfilms; also Civil Record: 1871 – Sarah – female – Richard Whelan, Bridge St., [I think Bridge St is an extension of Castlebar St.], Westport – Miller – Anne Whelan former Joyce, Bridge St., Westport – Nov 20, 1871. From Civil Records/Birth Certificates - www.irishgenealogy.ie District of Westport, County of Mayo

13. Elizabeth 1871 [POSSIBLE SIBLING}

• Death: Elizabeth Whelan, age 0, died 1871 (sister or unrelated?) District of Westport, County of Mayo Civil Death Certificates.

Children of my Catherine (Kate) Whelan. all born in Brooklyn, New York

• Sarah (Sadie) Veronica Nolan (1885-1945), m. Charles Evelyn Deane in 1915; daughters Evelyn (1916-1918) and Helen Mary (b. 1920 - still living). Helen is my mother.

• Helen Marie Nolan (1887-1866)
• Charles Nolan (1890-1900)
• Anna E. Nolan (1894-1927)
• Philop F. Nolan Jr. (1895-1960)
• Marie C. Nolan (1898-   )
• Adelaide Nolan (1904-1957)