Susan Devlin

Susan,

The following transcription of a baptism, located on RootsIreland, appears to be your Margaret.  Sadly, she was an abandoned baby, so her parents' names are not included. I will check some other records and let you know if I find anything.

FOUNDING AT RAILWAY ABOUT 3 MONTHS OLD. FOUND 7TH JUNE 1890.

A Maggie May, said to be 14, born in Mayo, was a pupil (and resident) in St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Dublin according to the 1901 Irish census:

https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai003689466

I looked at the 1890 birth records at irishgenealogy.ie--just in case her birth name was Margaret May--with no findings.  My guess is that she was named "Margaret May" by the authorities responsible for her.

Patricia, thank you so much.

So from your research my Gran was probably born March 1890 but baptised in June 1890 when she was found, which is what she used for her DOB?

I did feel it was a long shot to be honest. So sad that her part of my family tree effectively ends for her. 

I don't think she went to live in Dublin. Although a family member said her surname was originally McAuley. I know her daughter and son where attempting to do this and my Gran told them not too but this was decades ago, she died in 1988 aged 98

Kind regards

Susan

Hi Susan,

She was likely born in March--but who knows? The authorities were guessing that she was three months old.

I looked at the IrishNewsArchive online to see if there was a news story about an abandoned baby, but coudn't find one.

I wouldn't discount the Dublin orphanage.  "Maggie May" was an orphan born in Mayo.  The age is off, but census records are not 100 percent accurate.  This could have been a mistake.  Also, I did not find a Margaret/Maggie May in the 1901 census that seemed to fit your granny's description other than the one in St. Joseph's.  

You might consider doing a DNA test and see who you match who has Mayo ancestors.

I hope this is helpful.

Patricia, 

Thanks again. I shared what you found out with my family and a cousin remembers her saying that she went to school, which I assume back then was rare. So it might be possible. Although I did get varying stories about her from them all too 😂 I'm the youngest grandchild at 47, my Gran was 86 when I was born so I didn't know her as well. I'm going to look into doing a DNA test. Hopefully I'll get some matches.

Thank you so much for all your help, it's really much appreciated 🙏 I wouldn't have had a clue on where to start, so what you have found has been such a massive help.  xx

Susan,

The National School System in Ireland was founded in the 1830s.  

Did you look in the Scottish census records to see what information is given about your grandmother?

Good luck!

I realize that you are unsure whether the surname McAuley is actually relevant, but it would not be a surprising name if she was from the Ballina area.  There are several unrelated Irish surnames which are based on the Irish given name Amhlaoidh, and one of them is found principally in northern Mayo as Mac Amhlaoidh or Mag Amhlaoidh, usually "anglicized" as MacAuley, MacAwley, MacCauley, Cawley, or Gawley.  I checked several genealogical databases, and most people of that surname in Mayo who were born around that time seem to have been from Ballina or the nearby townland (rural area) of Ardagh.  If you've done DNA testing, you might look among your matches for people of those surnames, or who indicate that they have ancestors with those surnames, and who may have connections to that area, and perhaps find more info that way.