Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Many of you helped me a couple of years ago in a search for Sarah Mealey who married James Filson in 1875.
I thought I would update you and see if I can get any further with this elusive family
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I found in the 1861 census the family of Thos and Mary Malley with a daughter Sarah aged 8 with siblings John (16), Elizabeth (9), Louisa (4) and Catherine (7weeks).

I then found the Mally family in 1851 and found John (8) and Elizabeth(3) as well as Margaret (12) and a Mary Mally aged 5. I think she is the Mary Melia who had an illegitimate daughter Louisa in 1874 in Blackburn as I have found these people on a census in 1901 as Louisa Watson and Mary Melia and then in 1911 as Louisa Hunt and Mary Melia. On the 1911 census William Filson (who would be the son of Sarah Mealey and James Filson) is listed as a lodger.I have Louisa's birth certificate and marriage to Robert Watson in 1894. I cannot find Louisa or Mary in the 1891 census

Looking at Catholic christenings I have found a Sarah Melia in 1853 at St Anthony's with parents who match Thomas and Mary. I also found possible relevant siblings Margaret Mary Thomas John Elizabeth Louisa Catherine appearing in the census returns.

I have still been unable to find a death for Thomas senior or his wife Mary so that is the next brick wall. I cannot find either of them in the 1871 census and have a couple of references to deaths of a Thomas Melia in Sep and Dec 1870 in W Derby. Failing all else I shall try to send for the certificates to see if either is the correct one! I already have a few incorrect certificates in my possession.

I have still been unable to find a death for Thomas senior or his wife Mary so that is the next brick wall. I cannot find either of them in the 1871 census and have a couple of references to deaths of a Thomas Melia in Sep and Dec 1870 in W Derby. Failing all else I shall try to send for the certificates to see if either is the correct one! I already have a few incorrect certificates in my possession.

To save time in searches by the crew could you post the dates of birth of Thomas and Mary Melia? From 1870 the age of the deceased was given at the death registration and is therefore in the Index. The age should be an eliminating factor when trying to find a death after 1870 but do allow for a discrepancy if the person registering the death made a guesstimate of the age.

FreeBMD has two Thomas Melia deaths for 1870/71...
Deaths Sep 1870: Melia, Thomas [age 48] - W. Derby 8b 413
Deaths Dec 1870: Melia, Thomas [age 47] - Liverpool 8b 37

Can you post the census summary page reference for the 1961 sighting...

I found in the 1861 census the family of Thos and Mary Malley with a daughter Sarah aged 8 with siblings John (16), Elizabeth (9), Louisa (4) and Catherine (7weeks).

Thanks
The only information on possible birth dates for Thomas and Mary are from censuses so my estimates are 1821-23 for both of them. I think they were born in Ireland.
You have listed the two entries I had identified as possible for Thomas' death thanks. I shall have to send for both certificates probably.
J

The 1861 census is RG 9/2654 Household Schedule no 32 Folio 296 Page no 5
On Ancestry it is under Thos Malley

janeb wrote:The 1861 census is RG 9/2654 Household Schedule no 32 Folio 296 Page no 5
On Ancestry it is under Thos Malley

Thanks for the census reference. FMP had it transcribed as Makey! No wonder it was difficult to find! Correction submitted.