Brennans (Brannans) Documented as Being Born in County Mayo, Ireland in the 1871 Staffordshire County England Census
Documentation of the County of Birth in Ireland was fairly uncommon in the earlier years of the England Census records but was noted on occasion and increased after the 1851 census. This is a work in progress that I will add to over time.
These records are in no means complete. I have not had time to go through the individual districts of Staffordshire County at this point.
Progress Report: I have completed working my way through the 1871 Wolverhampton Civil Parish, Wolverhampton Eastern Sub Registration Districts 1-48 plus the Union Workhouse census records. This area had heavy concentrations of Irish on Canal Street, Shopyard, Charles Street, Middle Row, Lawyer's Field, Crooked Lane, North Road, Court Letter Lane and particularly heavy numbers on Carribee Street and some concentrations of Irish on Irish Row, Horsely Field, Oxford St, Milston Rd, Walsall Road, Mathews St, Collins St, and Charter Street. Unfortunately many of the Irish on Carribee Street were documented only as being born in Ireland and not a specific county. There does appear to be a heavier concentration of Irish from the Connaught counties of Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Sligo than from other counties in Ireland although a scattering of other counties have been noted. I have noted the following Brennan surname variations (that were born in Ireland): Brannan born in Galway in District 4, Brennan in District 7, Branon in District 14, and Branan in district 28 after completion of the first all 48 districts plus the workhouse in this section. There was a Branahan Family from Warwickshire, Birmingham in District 26 and a Branen born in Staffordshire, Wolverhampton in District 36. There was what appears to be a Brannan born in Shropshire, England in District 43 and there were no Brennans or variations documented in the Union Workhouse.
I will try to link the different census years after completion to see who might be from Roscommon and Mayo. Feedback, corrections in this effort would be most welcome!
I've noticed that on many occasions a Townland was given in these records (such as Castlebar, Ireland). This record would not show up on a search of Brennans born in Mayo, Ireland even though Castlebar is in County Mayo. I have also seen many individuals give their Roman Catholic Parish as a place of birth in Ireland. Athalone, a Catholic Parish in County Roscommon wouldn't show up in a search of those living in England born in County Roscommon either. These factors and the incorrect interpretation of the census taker's handwriting pose serious challenges to this search. Betsy Brannan was listed as being born in Ancommon, Ireland; however, a quick look at the record showed her place of birth clearly as Roscommon, Ireland. As I get time I will go through the districts of the England Counties that have the greatest concentrations of County Mayo born immigrants and add to these records.
I have highlighted the first name in each residence whether it be a head of household, lodger or inmate to help differentiate the groupings.
| Address | Name | Age | Born | Occupation | Marital Status and Misc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Holborn, Newcastle Under Lyme Civil Parish, District 14 | Branen, John, Head | 30 | Mayo, Ireland | Lab. at ironworks | M |
| 14 Holdborn, Newcastle Under Lyme Civil Parish, District 14 | Brannen, Bridget, Wife | 22 | Mayo, Ireland | M | |
| 14 Holborn, Newcastle Under Lyme Civil Parish, District 14 | Brannen, James, Son | 5 | Staffordshire, Newcastle, England | ||
| 14 Holborn, Newcastle Under Lyme Civil Parish, District 14 | Brannen, Thomas, Son | 2 | Staffordshire, Newcastle, England | ||
| 14 Holborn, Newcastle Under Lyme Civil Parish, District 14 | Brannen, John, Son | 2 | Staffordshire, Newcastle, England | ||
| 74 Chapel Farms; Great Barr Civil Parish, District 4 | Brannan, Thomas, Servant (at Chapel Farms) | 54 | County Mayo, Ireland | Ag Labourer | U |
| 74 Chapel Farms; Great Barr Civil Parish, District 4 | Brannon, Domininac?, Servant (at Chapel Farms) | 52 | County Mayo, Ireland | Ag Labourer | U |
| 25 Lower Green; Newcastle under Lyme District 14 | Brannon, John, Head (Tracy Family also from Mayo next door) | 30 | Mayo, Ireland | Labourer in Ironworks | M |
| 25 Lower Green; Newcastle Under Lyme, District 14 | Brannon, Ann, Wife | 27 | Mayo, Ireland | M | |
| 25 Lower Green; Newcastle Under Lyme, District 14 | Brannon, Patrick, Son | 5 | Staffordshire, Bilston, England | U | |
| 25 Lower Green; Newcastle Under Lyme, District 14 | Brannon, Mary, Daughter | 4 | Staffordshire, Newcastle, England | U | |
| 25 Lower Green; Newcastle Under Lyme, District 14 | ?Ditto (Brannon?), Owen, Boarder | 24 | Staffordshire, Newcastle, England (just says do ditto - same birthplace as children listed above) | U | |
| 122 Oxford St, Bilston Civil Parish, District 11 | Brannon, Thomas, Lodger (staying with the McDonough family from County Mayo) | 24 | Mayo, Ireland | Coal Wheeler | U; Sheila, an English Genealogist has informed me that his McDonough family originated in Kilconduff and at this point she doesn't see any link to Thomas Brannon the lodger) |
| 135 Sylvester Square, Burslem Civil Parish, District 21 | Branon, Thos, Lodger staying with the Corbyn Family from Mayo and other lodgers from Mayo | 30 | Mayo, Ireland | Labourer | U |
| 114 Old Cross St, Tipton Civil Parish, District 10 | Brennan, James, Lodger staying with Morris Family from County Galway | 45 | Mayo, Ireland | Collier | U |
| 1 Court Queen St, Bilton Civil Parish, District 20 | Brennan, Patrick, Lodger living with the Ward family from Roscommon, Ireland | 23 | Swinford, Ireland (Swinford is in Kilconduff Civil Parish, Co Mayo) | Stone Miner | U |
compiled from Ancestry.com 1871 England Census database on-line Provo, UT, USA; Ancestry.com operations, Inc 2004.