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I have searched and searched for the following information but have been unable to find out anything so I am hoping that someone out there can help me.

I am looking for a Robert Oneill born 1898 in Waterford Ireland. His mother's name was Bridget and his father John. He had a sister Margaret (my grandmother) I think born 1893 and I have found information in a letter from Margaret to Robert stating that his brother Patrick had died. Letter dated 1933.

I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thank you Annette

Annette..for ref..this is the family 1901

Residents of a house 17 in Browns Lane (Waterford Urban No. 3, Waterford)

Neill John 50 Male Head of Family Roman Catholic Waterford City General Labourer Cannot read - Married -
Neill Bridget 46 Female Wife Roman Catholic Waterford City - Read - Married -
Neill Mollie 10 Female Daughter Roman Catholic Waterford City - Read - Not Married -
Neill Maggie 8 Female Daughter Roman Catholic Waterford City Scholar Cannot read - Not Married -
Neill Bridget 7 Female Daughter Roman Catholic Waterford City Scholar Cannot read - Not Married -
Neill Patrick 5 Male Son Roman Catholic Waterford City Scholar Cannot read - Not Married -
**Neill Robert 3 Male Son Roman Catholic Waterford City - ***

Thank you so much. I have been searching for ONeill which I was sure is the correct name. Robert signed his Army papers Oneill. Do you think this is just a mistake in the census and should have been Oneill. If this is right I cant thank you enough for your help. I have been searching for about 1 year to find any information. You dont know what this means to me if it is the right family. What would we do without all your help. Thank you so much.

Annette, sometimes the O is there, sometimes it is O', sometimes it is dropped ;-)

The Irish 1901 and 1911 census is here:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/

Annette...Your more than welcome.

The surname would "originally" have been O'Neill but without getting to complicated the O/Mc in Irish surnames was often "removed"..that being said when you are searching its best to check all permutaions..
I cannot locate any of the family 1911 either in Ireland (all Counties) or in England.
When you mention him signing army papers are you speaking of WW1...in which case where did he enlist..?

When I can stop crying I will dig out his papers but I know Robert was living in England when he joined up and I remember that on the papers it did say he had served in the army in Ireland.
I dont know why they are not in the 1911 census anywhere I dont understand this. Margaret, Roberts sister, married James Hudson from Dublin they married in Tipperary in 1916 so she must have been in Ireland somewhere. Also in the letter writtenn by Margaret to Robert in 1933 she says Bridget, her mother had been staying with her but she thought she had now gone to stay with Bridget. To my little knowledge the Oneill family did not leave Ireland. When my mum was born in 1920 she went to stay with her granny Oneill because she was a sickly child and I think she said it was in Kilkenney.

Joy, thank you also for your help, you were the one that put me in the right trail in the first place.

researching in Ireland is so very difficult without your help it was looking like it was impossible. x

Annette...I am sure if they are there they will be found...have been through and through Co Waterford and also the Island of Ireland for 1911 and nothing so far I had a job finding Roberts Birth under the name age and place but have found a Robert Neill birth reg April quarter 1898 Co Carlow...which could well be him despite the fact the Census shows him b Waterford City...!
I would have thought Robert would be an easy one to find ..no chance...and the fact "Mollie" may well have been Baptised Mary doesnt help...!!
Dont depair ...with a little more time and detective work I am sure we will find something,,,

I wont despair I feel like christmas has come early!
Have found Roberts Copy of Attestation. His details are:
Born 6 July 1899
Served in 18th Royal Irish R/f No: 10687 No: 7110523
Discharge 1922
3rd City of London T/A discharged 1.6.1939

I cant see where he signed up. this is all the information I have on him.

I know what you mean about the names they baptize them one name and then call them another. Believe me I feel I know all the Oneills that ever lived in the whole of Ireland intimately.
thank you again I appreciate all your help

Maybe?????

Birth Robert O,Neill
Reg District Waterford
Year 1897
Quarter July-Sept
Volumn 4
Page 646
That would make him still only 3 years old at time of Census.
Birth Margaret O,Neill
Reg District Waterford
Year 1893
Quarter April-June
Volumn 4
Page 699
----------------------------------------------
Cannot find them on 1911 census though. There is a Robert Neill aged 14 years as a School Pupi (Read and Write)l in house number 2.1 Artaine South, Drumcondra, Dublin but it says that he was born in Dublin.There is a Bridget Neill (widow) aged 58 years living in house number 15.2 Bride Street, Wexford town as head of household and has born in Waterford.Maybe husband john died and the children were seperated????.
Best of Luck.
Betty.

You're welcome.

Just found the same as Betty, from ancestry:

Name: Robert O'Neill
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1897
Registration district: Waterford
Birth Country: Ireland
Volume: 4
Page: 646
FHL Film Number: 101066

I am glad that you found his discharge as 1922, as I just found a man of the same name born Waterford killed in action 1918.

Morning Joy....You and me both...got a little worried there..!

Well dont know where this family is hiding 1911 but am still after trying to locate them....

Good morning :-)

Worth a try searching here:
http://waterford.rootsireland.ie/

Good morning to all of you. Had a job sleeping last night was so excited.

I have a very precious letter here from Margaret Oneill (now married James Hudson). It is a letter written to her brother Robert stating that she had a letter in the post telling her that their brother Patrick had died after an operation. She also says that their mother Bridget was at home to see the last of him and she stayed with Margaret for12 months. She also says that their mother never answered her letter after Patrick died and she was not sure if Bridget was staying with Bridget or Jack or their uncle but that she was in good health aged 79. This letter is dated 22 July 1933.

It is all very odd. Where are they all!!! I wish I could give you all more help. Thank you all so much for the effort and time you are putting in to help me. Annette

Morning Annette..They gave me me a sleepless night as well..!!

Was there any indication in the letter of an address...? (You can send that by PM if there was)
Do you know if Robert ever married..?
Margaret's marriege to James was the April quarter 1916...wonder if their MC would elicit any info.re her father still being alive/deceased.
Does it give an elistment date on Roberts papers...?

Am off to watch Liverpool beat the boots off their opponents...
Back later.

The address was 13 Lorreto Road Maryland Dublin Margaret Hudson's address she had just moved there.
Robert married Mabel Venables in England.
Margaret's marriage to James Hudson shows her father as John Oneill so he was still alive.
The papers for Robert are so bad that I cant see a date on it.

Is there any trace of Margaret Oneill in the 1911 census as she did not marry until1916.

I know mum went to stay with Bridget Oneill when she was born in 1922 so she must still have been in Ireland then.

Hope you enjoy the football.

Hi Clover was it usual for the children to be seperated if a parent died. If so did they usually go to other members of the family.

Half time.....
Yes it was normal for children to go to other family..(extended or otherwise) but as John appears to have still been alive when Margaret married then it seems to be a case of finding out where the family are hiding!

Hope you liked the footy result!

Hi Betty
I had found that entry for Robert in the school but was not sure it was him. Do you know why he would he be on the census for the school and not on his home census as we do now.
Have you any idea what type of school this might have been please.
Thank you for your help Annette

Dont worry Betty have managed to find more information. Not a very pleasant school to have to end up in though. Regards Annette