Elizabeth Walsh(e) 1856c-1901

Hi John,

It appears that Elizabeth Walsh was a member of the Roman Catholic church. The marriage was performed by the Rev. Roderick Ryder who was a former Catholic priest.

S/C McKee was a native of  North Tipperary and joined the Irish Police on May 5th 1873 and was posted to Co. Westmeath on November 30th 1873. He was posted to Galway WR in 1877 and appeared to have been in Ballyconneely in 1879 (Court Records). On his marriage to Elizabeth Walsh he was posted to Pontoon, Co. Mayo in August 1881 where their son John Henry was born. In 1885 he was posted to Ballina where his daughter - Elizabeth  and son William were born. They are recorded  as Roman Catholics. In 1885 Constable McKee who had been promoted to Acting Sergeant was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to Louisburgh, Co. Mayo. This transfer would bring the family closer to Elizabeth's family in the Clifden area. His final station was Ballinrobe in 1889.

It would appear that he answer to your query lies in Errismore?

Regards

Hi,
Many thanks for the reply. It really was fascinating. I always suspected that Elizabeth Walshe wa RC, but she was married in a C-O-I church. Her last yrs must have been pretty terrible. Her husband, Henry, when he left the RIC 1890c went away (Pos USA) and she was forced to put the children in an orphanage. In the 1901 Census, she was living as a domestic and though the other two residentts were RC, she put herself down as Irish Church. The poor woman died a few months later in St James Workhouse.
She seems to have put the children in Protestant orphanages; Miss Carrs.

Certainly, Henry and his family were all C-O-I according to their RIC records

It would be nice to find out more about my great grandmother's past. Unfortunately all I have is Errismore, her dad, Timothy, a gardener (that I found strange) and on the marriage cert it was witnessed by the former priest, Roderick Ryder and a Margaret Walshe. From Griffith's Eval I found in the parish of Ballyconnelly that Roderick Ryder, was living at no 11. Apparently it was an orphanage and there were Walshs' living at 12 and 13. I can't see it as being any help in tracking her down.

As Elizabeth was born 1856c, would my only chance of finding her is to go through the parish records of Errismore? I know she was born too young for the the GRO.

I know I am viewing things from a different time, but I find it hard to understand that neither the McKee family or the Walshes were able to lend her a hand.

I would love to know your source for finding out that William and Louisa were recorded as Catholics.

At the moment my eyes are a little bleary from a visit to the opticians.Should be Ok in a few days time, but I did want to thank you for the reply.

J

Hi John,

The information on the children is from www.rootsireland.ie.

It records the children as follows: Elizabeth Louisa McKee: Birth, August 14th, 1885;  Baptism, September 11th 1885 - Mother: Elizabeth McKee - Civil Record: Elizabeth McKee, birth August 14th 1885, Not. to Civil Authorities October 23rd 1885 - Mother: Elizabeth Walsh;

William Algernon McKee: Birth, November 8th 1886, Baptism December 8th 1886 - Mother: Elizabeth McKee. Civil Record: Not. December 9th 1886 - William McKee - Mother: Elizabeth Walsh;

Amy Margaret McKee: Birth April 7th 1888, Baptism April 26th 1888 - Mother: Elizabeth McKee. Civil Record: Not. June 28th 1888 - Mother: Elizabeth Walsh.

The family were recorded as residing at John Street, Ballina. The baptisms were performed in the Church of Ireland parish of Kilmoremoy. In each of the baptisms the mother is recorded as "Elizabeth McKee" while the Civil Records show her as "Elizabeth Walsh".

It will be necessary to get a copy of the Civil Records to see who notified the Civil Registration Office. Did Elizabeth Walsh McKee have the children baptised secretly as Roman Catholics?

In order to understand the situation in Connemara in those years, I recommend that you read the article on Errismore in "The Protestant Missions in Connemara 1848 -1937 by Miriam Moffit 2008.

Regards,

Hi John,

Further to previous post, www.findmypast.ie records the marriage of Sergeant James Cunningham of the RIC to a Margaret Walsh in Clifden in 1st quarter of 1890.

Sergeant Cunningham was allocated to Galway WR in September 1874. According to the RIC records, Margaret Walsh was a native of Galway WR and had connections in Mayo.

Sergeant Cunningham was transferred to County Clare in 1892 and resigned on pension on April 18th 1899. No record in 1901 census for County Clare. Online records for Omey (Clifden) are not later than 1881. You may be in position to access the Civil Records which may advance the origin of the Walsh family.

Regards,

Hi,
Once again, many thanks for the info and I will follow up the marriage of Margaret Walsh.

Unless I'm getting it completely wrong, in all the CRO certs for births that I have, Elizabeth signs herself as Elizabeth McKee, formerly Walsh.

I checked Amy Margaret McKee, as I have the church and CRO certs. The dates correspond exactly with yours, but she is definitely down as, Elizabeth McKee, formely Walsh.

If I have got it wrong, please let me know, otherwise many thanks for the reply.

Likewise, if I do get any info on Margaret Walsh would you be interested, as I'd be more than happy to share.

All the best John

Hi John,

The Roots.ie Church Records are confusing!. Who was the informant in relation to the Civil Records? 

In relation to Margaret Walsh, RIC Sergeant James Cunningham 40167 was granted an annual pension of £44+ in April 1899. The bank into which it was being paid has not been shown, so he may have emigrated! He was a native of Co. Monaghan.

I would be interested in the identity of Margaret Walsh, apart from my curiosity, it may be helpful to others seeking family details in the Clifden area.

Regards,

Hi John,

I have queried the Civil Records of the McKee family in Roots Ireland with Mayo North Family History Association and I have received a reply stating that "THIS WAS AN ERROR.

Regards,

Hi,
I thought I got a lead for James Cunningham up to the 1911 Census, but it's a different person.

The problem was there were two Isabella Cunninghams born in Galway at about the same time. The 1901/11 one wasn't ours.

To start, I will have to get the CRO for the Marriage of Margaret Walsh and James Cunningham, to ascertain if she is the sister of Elizabeth Walsh.

It'll probably be a while before I get anything, but rest assured I'll let you know. Likewise, if you find anything, please do the same.

Kind regards,
John.

Hi John,

In relation to your query, Sergeant James Cunningham is not relevant to your family. In 1890 a James Cunningham who was a Light House Keeper married a Winifred McDonagh in Clifden. A Margaret Walsh, with others was on the same page, but apparently she as a widow whose name was originally Conneely.

RIC Sergeant James Cunningham, 40167 is recorded as having married on September 28th 1891 and was transferred to County Clare where he retired on pension on April 18th 1899. His pension appears to have been paid in Carrickmacross. There is a record of a James Cunningham in the parish of Muckno, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan in the 1911 census. He is described as an RIC pensioner and small farmer. His wife is recorded as Catherine. No surviving children. His wife's maiden name is unknown and I have been unable to find any record of his marriage. If I find anything relevant to your query I will let you know.

Regards,

Thanks for the info. I suppose it was too good to be true.

If I do pick up anything, I'll definitely be in touch.

J