Brennan Families (and all variations of the Surname) Identified in the Leeds, Yorkshire, England Census Records, Possible Origins in Ireland and Links Between the Census Years

The Surname Brennan and numerous variations are scattered throughout the different districts of the Leeds, Yorkshire, England Census Records. The majority of these Brennan families are documented as being born in Ireland. Some of the later census years begin giving counties of birth. It is my objective in this section to analyze the various Brennan Families found in the Leed Civil Parish, Yorkshire England Census records between 1841 and 1911 to look for possible origins and connections between the lines. Leeds is only about 11 miles from Hudderfield where I have been tracking a significant cluster of Brennans from the Connaght areas of Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. This is a work in progress and will be added to as I work my way through the census. My intention is to try to identify migration trails from Ireland.

It is clear from my initial research in the Leeds Census records that there were relatively few Brennans from Ireland in the 1841 Leeds Civil Parish. I only noted them in Leeds North of Leeds Town Civil Parish. The Brennans in the 1851 Census were in West Leeds, North Leeds, South Leeds for the most part with one in Wortley a Sub Registration District nearby Leeds. The Brennans in the 1861 census were in North Leeds, South East Leeds, West Leeds and one in Wortley. The Brennans in the 1871 census were in North Leeds and South East Leeds.

Keep in mind that the connections I draw are what appear to me to be the same family and need to be further analyzed to make sure the conclusion is correct (hopefully with supporting evidence such as GRO marriage records and baptismal records). They are something to build upon and prove. I would welcome all feedback on this effort. Only through input from other Corcorans will we find how we might all be related.

I have identified the following Brennan families in a variety of Leeds Records:

  1. The James Brannan and Emma Mary Woodhouse Family of Leeds. I believe James (born in Cumberland, Carlisle) is the son of Margaret (a widow on parish relief in the 1851 census born in Cumberland Burgh). His siblings likely were John, Charles and David. I believe his father was Charles a Silk Spinner and that James married Emma i on June 7, 1856 at the Parish Church in Leeds. They had a daughter Amelia born in 1857. There are discrepancies on this family in the 1861 census; however, showing James an Emma with two daughters Kate (age 9) and Amelia age 3 which would indicate that Kate was born before they were married. Amelia likely married Henry Woffindale a Builder in Leeds July 11, 1875. Her father James was listed as deceased.
  2. The Elizabeth Brannan and John Smith Family of Leeds. According to the West Yorkshire Marriages and Banns, John Smith, 38, a Tailor residing on North Passage in Leeds, who was the son of George, married Elizabeth Brannan 42 spinster living on Upper Cross Street, the daughter of Thomas Brannan a Farmer on Octobe 29 1855 in the Parish Church in Leeds by Arthur Holland, Minister.
  3. Henrietta Brennan, 37 year old single lodger and Tailoress living with Bridget Sherlock from Tipperary, Ireland was born in Cavan, Ireland and living at 8 Charley Street in West Leeds, District 74 in the 1891 Census.
  4. Robert and Sarah Brennan Family of South East Leeds, 1891 Census District 8 on 5 South Terrace. Robert Brennan 32 Laborer in a Timber Yard was born in Monaghan, Ireland; wife Sarah 32 in Knarebro, Yorkshire, sons Thomas 11 and Robert 8 born in Leeds, daughters Minnie 3 and Edith 3 born in Goole and son Harry 1 born in Leeds.
  5. 1901 Leeds West Leeds Census District Little Sister's Home has a Sarah Brennan, Patient and widow age 67 who was born in County Mayo, Ireland. Occupation says Retired Tesc. Bl?
  6. 1901 Leeds South East Leeds District 5 on 22 Bowman Lane: Reuben Brannan 54 Mason Bricklayer was listed as being born in Cork, Ireland; wife Elizabeth 49 in Leeds.
  7. Michael Brannan, 62 year old widowed Cabinet Maker who was born in County Sligo, Ireland was living on 31 Primrose Street in Leeds West Leeds, District 16 when the 1901 Leeds, Yorkshire Census was conducted.
  8. William Brannan 21, Laborer, son of James a Laborer was living on Saxton Street. He arried Catherine Stanton (19 Nadras Street), who was the daughter of Thomas Stanton a Chimney Sweep, on August 29, 1870 in the Parish Church of Leeds.
  9. Thomas Brannan appears to have married Catherine Corcoran the quarter ending March 1871 in the Parish Church, Leeds, Yorkshire. This was ascertained as their were3 other individuals who were married in Leeds on the same page/volume/quarter as Thomas: Catherine Corcoran, Peter Carr and Jane Swift. I found Peter Carr, son in law living with his wife Jane Swift in her father's home- James Swift in South East Leeds in District 21. When the 1871 Census is taken, they appear to be living in North Leeds in District 33 on 6 Skelton's Road. Thomas Brannan is a 23 year old Laborer and wife Catherine is 20, both hail from Ireland.
  10. Thomas Brannan 37 year old married Railway Laborer is a lodger living in the Lodging House of the Cuff Family in District 2 on 2 York Street when the 1881 Census for North Leeds is conducted. Unmarried 30 year old Railway Laborer Benjamin Brannan also lives there. This could possibly be the Thomas Listed in #9 but there were several Thomas' in Leeds at this time and he was a bit older at 37 in 1881 whereas Thomas was 23 in 1871 and should have been around 33 vs 37.
  11. 1881 North Leeds District 51 on 30 Windsor Street: John Brannan (47 Blacksmith Striker from Kilkenny, Ireland) and wife Alice (43 from Kilkenny), children Alice 18 Twine Twister, Annie 15, Sarah Ellen 12 and Joseph 5 all born in Leeds. By the time the 1891 Census is conducted, Alice appears in North Leeds on 34 and 36 Brickerdyke Road as a 56 year widow, agent broker born in Ireland with son Joseph 15 Clickers improver Boot (born in Leeds) her married daughter Annie (24 born in Leeds) with Annie's husband and Alice's son in law William Crogan (27 Painter born in Manchester). In the 1901 Leeds North Leeds Census, Districrt 32, Alice Brannon (65, Widow born in Ireland) was living with single son Joseph 25 (Terra Brick Maker born in Leeds) on 14 Troustone Street.
  12. 1901 No Leeds, District Leeds Union: Mary Brannon was a 69 year old widowed retired charwoman who was born in Bradford, Yorkshire

I have identified specific details on the Irish documented in the 1841 census records for Leeds Civil Parish (Holbeck Sub Reg District) and Leeds Town Civil Parish (Kirkgate and Leeds North) in separate pages.

This is a work in progress!

1841 Leeds Town- Leeds North Leeds Town CP- Kirkgate (None) Leeds CP Holbeck (None)      
1851 Leeds CP, North Leeds South Leeds West Leeds Wortley    
1861 North Leeds Southeast Leeds West Leeds Wortley    
1871 North Leeds Southeast Leeds        
1881            
1891            
1901