Share This:

Hi, My Grandmother was Elizabeth Reid, 1894 Feb 22, baptised 1894 in St. Andrew Parish.  Parents Mary Doyle and Christopher Reid (sailor).  I know this is my Elizabeth Reid based on marriage cert to Cornelius Higgins stating father was a sailor.  However 1901 Census has her as a boarder on Moss St. with the Dillon's.  1911 Census she is a housemaid on Palmerston.  Both these census bring Elizabeth Reid back to birth in 1894.

I cannot find birth, marriage or death records for Christopher (sailor) or Mary.

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Anne

 

AG87

Friday 8th Apr 2022, 04:42PM

Message Board Replies

  • AG87

    Friday 8th Apr 2022, 05:36PM

  • Hi Anne

    Elizabeth's marriage certificate confirms her father Christopher Reid was still alive in 1912 (otherwise it would state "deceased").  That he was still a sailor may explain not finding him in the 1901/1911 census. One might presume that her mother, Mary (Doyle) Reid, died sometime between 1894 and 1901. 

    Also the witnesses to her marriage – William Paisley and Mary Dillon (born 1880) – match the names found in the Dillion household where Elizabeth appears on record in the 1901 Census of Mass St (sic).

    I'm wondering about the relationship with Julia Dillon. Have you looked into this family at all?   

    By the 1901 Census, Julia Dillion of Mass Street age 52 (?) was already a widow. In the 1911 Census, Julia Dillion of Moss St age 71 (?) states that she was born in Dublin City and that she had 10 children only 4 still living. 

    Julia Dillon of 19 Moss St died in 1921, age 72 (?) witnessed by William Dillion and was interred in Deansgrange Cemetery. Under "occupation" her death cert states "WW Patrick".  Julia's youngest, Mary Dillon, was born circa 1880. A Mary Dillon's birth record 1879 Lower Erne Street father Patrick Dillon, Mother Julia Clifford. Can't find matching records for William or Margaret Dillon to confirm further.

    Sadly the parish records are hit and miss for Dublin city parishes. Couldn't find Christopher even as a witness or godparent. Same for Mary Doyle. 

    Have you added Elizabeth (née Reid) Higgins to the Ancestor Roll-call for St Andrews and St Marks (Moss Street)? (There you can attach her to the RC Church of St Andrew). These two parishes are adjacent, and it would not be unusual for inner-city Dublin baptisms to take place in an adjoining parish. It's possible that her parents lived in or about Moss Street (near Trinity) at the time of her birth. (Although Dubliners had little security of tenement and moved about frequently back then). 

    Hope this helps!

     

    IrelandXO_DM

    Thursday 23rd Jun 2022, 08:13AM

  • Thank you.
    Several family members recall stories from our parents that Elizabeth was a Jewish Orphan.
    I am now wondering if this was made up in her mind for why she didn't have parents.
    Again thank you

    AG87

    Sunday 17th Jul 2022, 11:06AM

Post Reply

Login