dreward
27-10-2008, 8:51 PM
For many years I have been making half hearted attempts to trace my Ward family in Dublin. All I have at the moment are Devon 1851 to 1871 Census indications that my 2nd great-grandfather, Robert, was born in Dublin about 1820/21. His father, Thomas, may have died there about ±1844 as he would appear still to be alive if Robert's marriage certificate issued at Newton St Cyres in Devon in 1844 is to be believed.
I was quite ready to leave it there as a brick wall but 2 years ago I found a newspaper clipping which gave details of a death of William Ward aged 21, midshipman, at Calcutta in Christmas day 1845, son of Thomas - merchant in Dublin, brother of Robert and born in Dublin!
Up to now, more brick walls. So I thought what would the the situation have been like in Dublin during 1839-45.
Why this period? Because it seems Robert arrived at Newton St Cyres in 1840/41 - (but why this town, I don't know) - and that William joined a merchant ship 3 to 5 years before his death.
My understanding is that the family were protestants but I am not sure whether they were "old" or "new" English residents. If Thomas was a merchant then he would have been that for 10 years but was he born there or were his parents already there? I don't know.
So if anyone could direct me to a book or website where I could get more info about Dublin and its problems about that time I would be grateful to receive any help.
I was quite ready to leave it there as a brick wall but 2 years ago I found a newspaper clipping which gave details of a death of William Ward aged 21, midshipman, at Calcutta in Christmas day 1845, son of Thomas - merchant in Dublin, brother of Robert and born in Dublin!
Up to now, more brick walls. So I thought what would the the situation have been like in Dublin during 1839-45.
Why this period? Because it seems Robert arrived at Newton St Cyres in 1840/41 - (but why this town, I don't know) - and that William joined a merchant ship 3 to 5 years before his death.
My understanding is that the family were protestants but I am not sure whether they were "old" or "new" English residents. If Thomas was a merchant then he would have been that for 10 years but was he born there or were his parents already there? I don't know.
So if anyone could direct me to a book or website where I could get more info about Dublin and its problems about that time I would be grateful to receive any help.