Rush and Dowd families

Frank:

I was unable to find any information in the Tithes.

Is this the family in 1901?http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Galway/Glenamaddy/Ball…

Mary was shown as married. Was Patrick working somewhere else in 1901?

Is this the family in 1911?

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Galway/Kilcroan/Kilcoo…

Looks like Patrick and Mary both died in 1919?

Roger McDonnell

Thank you, again.

I think the two families in the 1901 and 1911 censuses are different.  For one, they lived in  different communities.  Secondly, Mary is 50 in one, then 10 years later is 70.  Lastly, in 1901 Mary cannot read or write and in 1911 can do both.  Because of all the discrepancies, I think the 1901 is the correct family.  Where my ggf was in 1901 is a mystery!

The death info seems inconsistent with both the 1901 and 1911 census data.  I'm accustomed to age data being incorrect (but close); this data, however, is just about in between.

If I may be any help to you, please let me know.

Frank Drumm

Frank:

I know they were in two different communities probably 20 kilometers apart. However, the family was not in Ballyhard in 1911. Notice the ages of the two children: Catherine and Thomas from 1901 to 1911.

In general, ages of adults in the 1901 census were understated sometimes significantly. It was not unusual to have age increase 20 years between the two censuses. Age was not that important in 1901. However, in 1908 the Old Age Pension Act was passed in Parliament for Ireland. Basically, individuals who were 70 or older (there was an income limitation) qualified for a pension provided they could substantiate their alleged age. All of a sudden, age became important and adults were more accurate in reporting their age, You will note that the Patrick in 1911 was 71 which corresponds with the year of birth in your note.

Roger

Roger

Thank you for that additional insight.  I believe you are correct about the two censuses and the age discrepancies. The names and ages of the children make all the difference in assessing the value of the document.  Twenty kilometers apart seems far to me, given that people generally stayed in one place, as I understand the demographics.  I rely on information seen from eyes three thousand miles away.  Having some like you, more close to the scene, helps me focus.

Frank

Frank:

FYI I actually live about 4 hours north of you near Baltimore.

Roger

Seems like 3000 miles when I drive to BWI!  Love the Eastern Shore tho.

My maternal grandmother is Margaret Rush from Glenamaddy!