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I am trying to narrow down a search for my grandmother birth in Ireland as they say too many people with the same name were born that year. My gran was married on 27/7/1903 age 23, she died on 9/2/1959 aged 80. What year would you say she was born 1879 or 1880? and what part of that year? Help would be very much appreciated!! Betty

Hi, Going by the dates you've given for marriage and death, then she was born in the sixteen months period between feb 1879 and Jul 1880. Sorry it can't be narrowed down any further. Deb

Hi Betty Boo I'm glad I'm not the only one struggling with things like this!! I think she could have been born sometime between 28th July 1878 and 8th Feb 1880. I worked this out as follows: She could have been aged between 22 on 26th July 1903 and 24 on 28th July 1903 - giving date of birth range of 28 July 1878 to 26 July 1881. She could have been aged between 79 on 8th Feb 1959 and 81 on 10th Feb 1959 - giving date of birth range of 10th Feb 1878 to 8th Feb 1880. I've therefore picked the possible birth date range between the two. Does this make sense? I can see it on paper but trying to put it into words is making my brain hurt! Jill

Hi Deb, Thanks for your reply!! Thats my problem I asked them to search 1880 and they said there were so many females with the same name born in that year that they couldn't tell which was my grans birth. I don't think Irish birth records show the parents names but not sure!! Anyway they couldn't help unless I narrow it dow a bit. Thanks for you help!! Betty

Hi Jill, My brain is the same with this, I asked a search 1879 and 1880, there are just too many of them with the same name, do you know if Irish records of birth have parents names on them?? Its Newry and Mourne County Down. Betty

Hi Betty Sorry not to be able to help more. I know nothing about Irish records - so far I've only found one in my tree and she was born back in 1805 so I'm putting off dealing with that one!! Good Luck. Jill

Hi Jill, Thanks for your reply, the problem is I can't get back and further than my gran. How can I do a family tree all on my fathers side and nothing on my mothers side except my mums details of birth, marriage and death and her mothers (my gran) marriage and thats it!!! Betty

Irish birth certificates have the names of both parents. The place of birth is often the townland. Have you tried the ancestryireland site, its NOT complete and you DON'T have to be a member. Basic searches are free and you can download 5 certificates for £6 in a one name database. You just have to choose a username and password when you go to BUY. The other site is emeraldancestors again not complete, but better pricing but you don't get fathers occupation and townland of birth only registration district. (Someones doing look ups on it on this site.) Teresa

Hi Betty Have a wee nosey on this site, not sure whats all there,but no harm in looking. http://www*from-ireland*net/index*htm#contents1 I am also stuck on a few lines too, due to parents not getting married. another two died before 1855 so I am stuck!! I take it your granny died in Ireland too. cheers Marion

Hi Marion, No my Gran was born in Ireland and the first I see of her was in the 1901 census in Dundee (well I think its her anyway) living as a boarder. Then she married in Dundee in 27/7/1903 aged 23, she died in Dundee 9/2/1959 aged 80. It doesn't look like her parents came to Scotland as I can't find them anywhere in any census. Betty

You should get her parents on her death cert. Either go to Edinburgh,order cert, or if anyine is going maybe they could look it up for you. Perth registry office lets you book £10 per hour,they do the searching for you. Not sure if you can do it over the phone etc. Marion update.. are her parents names not on her marriage?

Hi Marion, I have her parents names John Carney (hairdresser) and Mary Carney nee Kennedy. They married in Newry and Mourne County Down in 1877. There names were on my grans marriage details, I have sent to Ireland for their Marriage details and waiting on them but takes about 4 weeks. But they searched my grans birth and said there were too many by that name Mary Carney and they couldn't tell which was her birth. Betty p.s. Do Irish births give the name of the parents on them?? Why can't they tell which birth is her if they do. Betty

Sorry dont know what details they give you. I have a Mary Cairney, just wondered if the name had changed. Marion

Hi Marion, This is another thing sometimes there is Carney and Cairney but details on Marriage say Carney for my gran and her parents. Betty

Maybe someone else is working on the same line. might be worth a try contacting anyone who might be on the same family. Try various spelling's, and a rough guide in ages...you never know. I looked on IGI, there are even more spelling there. I have a Gregor McKenzie he is Grigor Mc Kinzie lol. Marion

Hi Marion, Yes I know there are Cairney, even Kearny. I have decided to pay for a 2 year search of my grandmothers birth. I have printed off an application for the Civil Registration Office County Roscommon Ireland it costs 10 euros whatevery that is in sterling but they check a year either side. Hope they find the birth it this way. Betty

Probably too late Betty but your Grandma still could have been born in 1880 in the month of January or 1st 9 days of February. This would still make her 80 when she died 9Th Feb 1959. I think???? Love Alexandra