Brennans (Brannans) Documented as Being Born in County Roscommon, Ireland in the 1871 Yorkshire 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. as I have not had time to go through the individual districts of Yorkshire County at this point. 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.
Re: James Brennan Family, Huddersfield Civil Parish, District 22: I believe that I have found this family in the 1851, 1861 and 1881 Huddersfield Census Records. In the 1851 census, District 2: James 40- laborer, Margaret, wife 38- Hawker, Bridget 14, Thomas 11, Mary 8, John 6, James 2 and Ann 6 months. The parents, Bridget, Thomas, Mary and John were documented as being born in Ireland and James and Ann in Yorkshire, Huddersfield, England. In the 1861 Census, District 14: The parents James 50- Gardener and Margaret his wife 50 were born in Ireland as was John 17 a scholar. James 12, Martin 7, William 9 mos? and Ann 9 a scholar were all born in Yorkshire, Huddersfield, England. In the 1881 Census, District 23: Margaret Brannan is documented as a 62 year old widow born in Ireland (indicating that husband James died sometime between 1871 and 1881). John her 40 year old unmarried son born in Ireland is living with her as is Martin her son 23, Mary Boyle 22 Grandaughter, James Boyle Grandson and Annie Berry a Grandaughter 6 all born in Yorkshire Huddersfield. So the question is are these Boyle and Berry grandchildren Bridgets (who was born around 1837 according to the 1851 census or Mary's who was born in 1844). St Patrick's Church records in Huddersfield may hold baptismal clues to the origins of these children as it did my second great grandparents children. It appears likely that Bridget was the mother of the Boyle children as there is a Michael Boyle 30 mason's Laborer b Ireland, wife Bridget 24 b Ireland, Mary 5 and Johny 12 born in Yorkshire, Huddersfield in the District 13 1861 Huddersfield census for Pels Yard.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 Smiths Yard; Easingvold Civil Parish, District 4e | Brannon, Thomas, Boarder (staying with the Patrick McClean Family from County Mayo) | 40 | Roscommon, Ireland | Ag Labourer | M |
| 81 Smiths Yard; Easingvold Civil Parish, district 4e | Brannon, Mary, Boarder | 45 | Mayo, Ireland | Ag Labourer | M |
| Castlegate, Huddersfield Civil Parish, District 22 | Brennan, James, Head | 60 | Rose Common, Ireland (likely Roscommon) | Gardener, Lodger Housekeeper | M |
| Castlegate, Huddersfield Civil Parish, District 22 | Brennan, Margret, Wife | 58 | Rose Common, Ireland | M | |
| Castlegate, Huddersfield Civil Parish, District 22 | Brennan, Annie, Daughter | 18 | Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England | Hawker | U |
| Castlegate, Huddersfield Civil Parish, District 22 | Brennan, Martin, Son | 16 | Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England | Fiddler | U |
| Castlegate, Huddersfield Civil Parish, District 22 | Boyle, James, Grandson | 10 | Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England | ||
| Castlegate; Huddersfield Civil Parish, District 21 | Brennan, John, Head | 31 | Roscommon, Ireland | mason's Labourer | M |
| Castlegate; Huddlesfield Civil Parish, District 21 | Brennan, Ann, Wife | 31 | Castlerea, Ireland | M | |
| Castlegate; Huddlesfield Civil Parish, District 21 | Brennan, Michael, Son | 16 | Castlerea, Ireland | Mason's Labourer | U |
| Castlegate; Huddlesfield Civil Parish, District 21 | Brennan, Bridget, Daughter | 14 | Castlerea, Ireland | Woolen Piecer | U |
| Castlegate; Huddlesfield Civil Parish, District 21 | Brennan, Patrick, Son | 12 | Castlerea, Ireland | Scholar | U |
| Castlegate; Huddlesfield Civil Parish, District 21 | Brennan, Ann, Daughter | 10 | Castlerea, Ireland | Scholar | U |
| Castlegate; Huddlesfield Civil Parish, District 21 | Brennan, John, Son | 5 | Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England | U | |
| Castlegate; Huddlesfield Civil Parish, District 21 | Brennan, Tom, Son | 6 mos | Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England | U |
compiled from Ancestry.com 1871 England Census database on-line Provo, UT, USA; Ancestry.com operations, Inc 2004.