GenealogyBlog

On this Mystery Monday, I’ve been trying to find out when John Doyle my great grandfather was born and died. Below is a summary of information I know about John Doyle and his wife.

John Doyle was married to Esther O’Rourke probably between 1869 and 1872. This is based upon the birth date of their oldest child. They lived in the townland of Carrickslavin, County Leitrim. He died sometime between 1873 and 1901, presumably while still living in the townland of Carrickslavin, County Leitrim.

• Mary Ann Doyle was born 1-May-1872. She was married to Patrick Logan.
• Michael Doyle was born 10-Oct-1873. He was married to Bridget. He died on 23-Jun-1949 in Killarkin, County Leitrim.
• Bridget Doyle was born 1-Sep-1875. She was married to Edward Francis McHugh. She died on 16-Mar-1936 in Bristol, Connecticut, USA.
• Patrick Doyle was born 8-Mar-1877. Little else is known about Patrick.
• James Doyle was born 1-Apr-1879. He married Mary.
• Bernard Doyle was born in 1882. He married Mary Ann Mellon. He died on 5-Sep-1915 in Bristol, Connecticut, USA.
• Ella Josphine Doyle was born 6-Nov-1885. She married Daniel Edmuind Salmon. She died on 24-Jul-1971 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
• Catherine Agnes Doyyle was born on 10-May-1886. She married Thomas Anthony Kennedy. She died on 29-Jan-1944 in Bristol, Connecticut, USA.
• Elizabeth Veronica Doyle was born on 13-Dec-1887. She married John Joseph Nolan. She died on 26-Oct-1964.
• Margaret Nora Doyle was born on 20-May-1893. She was married to James Francis Fox. She died on 20-Jan-1975.
• Sarah Doyle was born in 1894. She was married to Francis O’Brien.
• John J. Doyle was born 9-May-1894. He died 14-Jul-1932.

I have no primary sources of information in which John Doyle (the one married to Esther O’Rrouke) is the main person in the document. I’ve found birth certificates, death certificates and more where he is listed as the father. I would love to hear from others about suggestions on how to narrow down the date he was born or when he died.

Have you checked out your local library for genealogical materials. You may be surprised at the genealogy collections some small local libraries have amassed. The plumb library in Shelton, CT has a room dedicated to the history of Connecticut, especially the Shelton, CT area. Many of the materials in this room would prove very useful in genealogical research.

The materials include almost a complete set of City Directories from Ansonia, Seymour, Derby and Shelton from 1896 right up until 1980.

Other materials include;

Barbour Collection for
• Huntington, Kent and Killingly
• Milford, New Canaan and New Hartford
• Madison, Manchester, Marlborough, Meriden, Middlebury, Monroe, Montville and Naugatuck
• Sterling and Stratford
• Danbury, Darien and Derby

Other noteworthy books for reference in this room include
• Families of Early Milford, CT by Susan Woodruff Abbott, 1979
• The ancestry of David Wells Plumb by Gilbert Gillette Davis, 1976 (a three ring binder of various ancestor charts and family group sheets, which might not be compiled elsewhere.
• Register of the Middlebrook Family, descendents of Joseph Middlebrook of Fairfield, CT by Louis F. Middlebrook, Hartford, CT, 1909
• History of the Hubbell Family by Richard Hubbell, 1915
• The Holcombes by Mrs. Lewin D. McPherson, 1947

Town and county history books.
• History of Fairfield County, Connecticut by D. Hamilton Hurd, 1881
• History of New Haven County, Connecticut by Mary Hewitt Mitchell, 1930 (volumes I, II & III)
• The History of the Old Town of Derby, Connecticut by Samuel Orcutt, 1880
• History of Stratford, Connecticut by Howard Wilcoxson, 1939
• Memories of Old Derby by Albert F, Sherwood, 1924

Various past genealogical and historical publications are also in the history and genealogy room. These include the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Connecticut Ancestry, Connecticut Nutmegger and the Connecticut League of Historical Societies.

For war time relatives they have books about the people who fought during the revolutionary war, the war of 1812 and the war of the rebellion (The Civil War).

A map of 1867 of the town of Huntington is on display. This map lists the names of the land owners within Huntington and where they lived. There is also a pictoral drawing showing the town of Shelton and what it looked like in 1919.

There are various books locked in cases. You would need to see a reference librarian to use see the books. Some of the books in locked cases include;
• Various copies of Seymour High School yearbooks from 1964 and even earlier.
• The city of Shelton’s annual report from 1900 – 1964.
• Service records for World War I
• History of Bridgeport and Vicinity
• Historic Towns of the Connecticut River Valley.
• The history of education in Connecticut

Be sure you check out your local library for genealogy collections which might help you in your research.

This photo comes from a 19th century Sanders & Fryher Photo album. If you can identify the date, age of the individual or who the person is, please post a remark about it.

When I started getting interesting in my own genealogy about ten years ago, I found it an extremely fun and fascinating hobby. A hobby which is never complete and one where you are always trying to solve some puzzle or mystery. I guess that’s why I love mystery books, television programs and movies.