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

The Surname Corcoran and numerous variations are scattered throughout the different districts of the Bradford, Yorkshire, England Census Records. The majority of these Corcoran 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 Corcoran Families found in the Bradford Civil Parish, Yorkshire England Census records between 1841 and 1911 to look for possible origins and connections between the lines. Bradford is only 24 kilometers from Hudderfield where I have been tracking a significant cluster of Corcorans from the Connaght areas of Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. I have also found a huge concentration of Corcorans in Leeds, Yorkshire which is only 11 miles from Huddersfield. 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.

When the 1851 England Census was conducted there were 4 subregistration districts in Bradford, Yorkshire: Bowling, Bradford East, Bradford West and Keighly. A rudimentary search of the Corcoran surname would seem to indicate that most of them were in Bradford East and West when the 1851 England census was conducted, so that is where I will begin my research. Due to time constraints and the large concentration of Irish who migrated to this area of Yorkshire, my focus will be strictly on my four surnames: Corcoran, Brennan, Coffee and Gahagan and all variations of those names. I have already noted one page where 3 of my GGP's names Brenan, Corcoran and Gohagan were next door neighbors on Mill Street in Bradford West End District 14. I have identified clear migration trails from the border area of County Mayo and County Roscommon, Ireland to both Huddersfield and Leeds, Yorkshire and feel that Bradford may follow suit with more of the same. It remains to be seen.

I would love to hear from anyone who is a descendent of the Bradford Corcorans or other Towns in this part of Yorkshire so that we can share information and try to link our family lines.

Corcorans with a link to Bradford Identified in earlier (before 1840) or later census years (beyond 1881) or other genealogical records:

  1. FHL Microfilm 0816608 (RG4-4439) documented five Corcoran children who were born in the 1830's and baptized in Mount St Marie Church, Bradford, Yorkshire to Michael Corcoran and Anne Lawler (Lawlor etc): Margaret (born December 11, 1830, baptized January 2, 1831), Michael (born August 8, 1833, baptized Augut 25, 1833), Thomas (born November 6, 1835, baptized January 17, 1836), Elizabeth (born January 18, baptized February 18, 1838), and James (born July 27 and baptized August 16, 1840). These family records were confirmed on ancestry.com's compilation of All England and Wales Non Conformist and Non Parochial Registers 1867-1970).
  2. John Corcoran, a 21 year old bricklayer who was born in Bradford, was listed in the ancestry.com compilation British Army WWII Pension Records in 1893. He was in the Royal Artillery.
  3. 1911 Bradford Yorkshire census District 8: John Corcoran 39 yr old Warp Twister who was born in St Marys Bradford was living at 50 Newlands Place with his wife of 10 years Mary 38 (born in India), his brother Thomas (25, a Board and Case Maker also born in Bradford), and his niece Annie Clough (18 Mill Hand born in Bradford).
  4. James Corcoran (born in Bradford) died July 17, 1915 France/Flanders. He was enlisted and killed in action as a L Corporal in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 22669. (Noted in ancestry.com UK, Soldiers died in the Great War 1914-1919.
  5. Rich'd Corcoran, the son of M Corcoran and Anne Lauba was born January 21, 1928, baptized February 10, 1928 Mount St Marie Catholic Church, Bradford, Yorkshire England. (Family search.org compilation England Births and Christenings 1538-1935) FHL Film #0816608, (RG4-4439).

Observations: There was a Martha Corkson (50, Dressmaker) Family (children Hannah 20, Mary 20, John 20, Samuel 15, Thomas 10) living in District 21.

1841     Bradford West End Sub Reg District (None)  
1851 Bowling Sub Registration District Bradford East End Sub Registration District Bradford West End Sub Registration District Keighly Sub Registration District
1861     Bradford West End Sub Reg District (None)  
1871     Bradford West End Sub Reg District  
1881     Bradford West End Sub Reg District