Genealogy Chat

Thank you Patchem I will have a look. I appreciate your help.

In the 1901 census the only suitable Sarah living in Ballinsloe is a Sarah Jane Joseph.

Is it possible that Joseph was sometimes used as his surname?

Surname Forename Townland/Street DED County Age Sex
Joseph Sarah Jane Mackney (Rural) Ballinasloe Rural Galway 20 F

So this might have been his Father, if married between 1901 and 1904?

Residents of a house 18 in Kilclooney (Ballinasloe Rural, Galway)
Show all information
Surname Forename Age Sex Relation to head Religion
Leonard John 42 Male Head of Family Roman Catholic (Bachelor, farm labourer)

However he is still alive and single in 1911.

So if this is his Father, was he illegitimate?

Thank you, I still can't find a birth/christening record for 1st May 1904 in Ballinasloe. I am becoming more convinced he wasn't who he said he was! I think he only told my Nan what he thought she wanted to know. Although one little piece of information he did tell her was he was orphaned at a young age and thought he might have a sister who was adopted, how true that is I don't know. Also she told me his Mum's name might have been Sarah. On his marriage certificate he listed his Dad as John Leonard, Farmer, deceased. There is an orphanage in Ballinasloe but where I would find their records I haven't a clue. I think I am going round in circles!

So Ballinasloe and Curraghboy are near Athlone - any better luck with the 1911 census for him?

Hello everyone, have received more records from Ireland. It states that my Grandfather was born in Ballinasloe, not Clonmel as we first thought. There are no NOK details on his enlistment papers aged 18, but his employer is stated as, surname Keon in Curraghboy. Can anyone enlighten me as to where to go next please?

Ignore everything. I have just received some more Army records. Whilst his NOK is correct Aunt, Mary Finn, 154 Taylor Street, Gorton,Manchester. I have an Attestation form dated 17/11/23 in Manchester, it also has his Parish of birth as Athlone!! He was discharged from IFS on 16/11/23. Not only that but he was specially enlisted on 9/07/38 again, his place of birth is just listed as Tipperary. Antrim is nothing to do with my Grandfather my mistake completely, apologies.

What is his IFSA No...?

I would be looking for a connection between the 2 families (If any) in the 1871/1881 UK Census..if you check the Gorton area there were lots Leonards (Variation of spelling)and Finn families around...however it doesn't follow they were from that area originally but moved into it....

Do you have the Antrim Enlistment address.....?

Hi Eringobragh,

My grandad finished his IFS enlistment on 17th
November 1922 and enlisted in the British Army in Antrim on 18th November, he was 19 and @200 days.

He has 1 IFRS Army number and 1 British Army number. Other than Tipperary, my Dad & Nan told me he came from Clonmel, but that was he told them, he is a complete mystery. I have his British Army Records, but believe it is difficult to acquire the IRFS ones. I know some are online, I have drawn a blank so far. Any help therefore however minute will be appreciated. Thank you for your message, he married in the UK. I have that certificate, my Nan was British.

Hi Littlelegs, she could have been, just, she was 61 on 1911 British census, my Grandad was @ 19.

Maureen...What was the place of Enlistment on your Grandfathers' British Army Records..?
Does it have an Army No.or did he continue with his I FSA one ?
What (other than b Tipperary) led you to Clonmel...?

Was his marriage in a RC Church....if so they may have recorded his Baptismal details in the Marriage Register....

maureen could it of been a great aunt

Quite a daunting problem, I really don't know where to begin!! Thank you for your suggestion, it is appreciated.

Of course, Mary Finn could be an aunt on his mother's side of the family, and not a Leonard connection at all.

Not an encouraging thought - sorry!

Hi Martysue, will do, thanks you for your help, it is appreciated.

on family search,

just use surnames ,quite a lot of leonards &finns. just put Ireland as place of birth etc.

go into records & use irish civil registration or use igi section.

That's interesting Jax, if I hadn't grown up with my Grandad I would think he didn't actually exist!!

That's interesting, where can I find it?

there could be a connection to the finn family,in 1880s there is a ellen finn leonard having children,
she was a finn he was the leonard.

My grandfather was born 1897 we all thought he was born 1900....we were also told he joined the army in 1916 (aged 16) his marriage cert in 1929 says he was 29 and of course when he died in 1969 he is recorded as 69.

I never really found his ww1 records (amongst the destroyed lot) but FMP released some new records recently and I found an entry where he had re-enlisted in 1919 but again the age was out by a year...in the end I had to purchase his mothers death cert in 1921 to see if the address matched up....which it did.