James Michael McDonnell b. 1815 - Athlone Co. Westmeath

Amanda:

I saw that you did not have a response yet to your Westmeath query.  I did not find a baptismal record for James Michael McDonnell with the parent's names you provided. However, I did find a transcription of his marriage record in 1837 which was likely held in the bride's parish. James may have been a member of St. Peter's or maybe St. Mary's.

I also gave you a link to the two parish registers (see below). If James was a member of St. Mary's and was actually born 1812 or earlier a baptismal record would not exist.

In the 19th century Athlone was split between the two counties but now the town is considered Westmeath.

Roger McDonnell

Date of Marriage:17-Jan-1837
Parish / District:ST PETERS ATHLONE
County:Co. Roscommon
Husband  JamesMcDonnell
Wife's Name EleanorSherwood

http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0538  http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0178

Thanks Roger. 

Hi Roger,

I had a look at the parish register for the marriage on the date you have provided above.  I'm having trouble seeing it.  You said you located the transcript.  Where did you find that?  

Thanks for your help,

Amanda.

Oh, I think I found it.  Is his name written in Latin?  It seems to be Jacobus?

Found this in my files regarding James:

BIOGRAPHY: James Michael was a Sargeant in the Army and came to Australia with the 99th regiment. The 99th Regiment recruited mainly in Glasgow but did some recruiting in Ireland. The regiment left Dublin and Chatham in detachments from the period April 1841 to March 1842. They were sent out to guard the convicts and keep the peace in the colony. The War Office records relating to this period of time in Australia mentions the following of James Michael McDonnell on the muster rolls.

* James McDonnell appeared on the first muster and payroll list 1 April- 30 
June 1841 (so he must have been amongst the first detachments)
* In July and August 1841 he was listed as "on detachment" (he must have 
been sent somewhere away from their base which was probably Sydney at that 
stage - the main force was sent to Van Diemen's Land soon after and then 
returned to Sydney in Aug 1844)
* Jan-March 1842 - "on detachment" again
* April 1843 - made up to a Corporal
* July 1843 guard duty
* Aug-Sept 1843 stationed at Port Phillip
* Oct 1843-Feb 1845 he was recorded at Port Phillip
* Sept 1845 he became a Sergeant
* Oct 1845-May 1848 stationed at Newcastle
* June 1848 stationed in Sydney
* June 1848 in hospital
* Nov 1848 guard duty
* 30 Nov 1848 discharged, received a lump sum payment of £15

BURIAL: Irrewarra Cemetary (Warncoort) near Birregurra, Victoria, Australia.

I have also just found on a message board that Eliner (Eleanor) was the daughter of a Sgt Major Sherwood of 12 th Regiment of infantry. 

Amanda:

I found the record on Roots Ireland and Jacobus is Latin for James.

Roger