O'Donnell/Ward.....

Irene in OZ · Post by **Irene in OZ** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 11:35 pm

My husband and I were both born in Greenock and have lived in Australia for 35 years.

I don't do genealogy but when my husband came back from Greenock last week after going over for his mother's funeral, he brought me back a whole load of birth, death and marriage certificates for members of his mother's family who lived in Greenock (BRIDGET WARD was her maiden name).

There's one birth certificate that's puzzling me and I haven't a clue what the connection is. It's for the birth of Margaret O'Donnell on February 4th 1869 at Poorhouse, Middle Parish, Paisley to Rosean\Rosan O'Donnell, Farmer's Labourer with no father mentioned so I guess she was on her own. She was the one who registered the birth on March 2nd 1869 at Paisley with "her X mark"

Margaret O'Donnell's is the earliest birth certificate by 11 years out of all the ones he brought me and the surname doesn't come up anywhere else, well not on any of the other certificates he brought home.

My mother in law was one of about 9 or maybe 11 children born to Joseph and Sarah Ward ms McPhail, all children born in Greenock with the oldest child, Joseph born in 1902.

It was suggested to me that someone on this board might be able to shine a light on who Margaret O'Donnell might have been and what the connection is to the WARD family.

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 2:55 pm

Don't know how I missed it the other day I've given some ideas on the Blether Board but hopefully SKS will do a Feb 1869 Look-up of the Poorhouse at Paisley (Middle Parish) and post the details.

If Rose's parents are named as Daniel and Unity Boyle I do have more info but not a lot.

Irene in OZ · Post by **Irene in OZ** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:37 pm

Thanks Andy. I've read your posting on the Blether Board and will keep tuned for any more information.

The birth certificate I have was a copy from the Registrar's office dated 21st Steptember, 1925 and I wondered why someone would be looking for a copy at that time unless she'd just died and the original couldn't be found. Someone else checked for deaths around that time with that name and couldn't find anything.