Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

I am researching my paternal family line the McAvoy / McEvoy's. I have not as yet tried to trace the line back to prior to Daniel McAvoy (born c1920 Queens County, Ireland).

Daniel is shown on the 1841, 1851, 1861 and 1871 census returns to have first married a Margaret Unknown (1826 Laois, Ireland) producing three children. William (1848), Thomas (1850) and Catherine (1852). He then went on to marry Mary Ann McLoughin (1829) and produced another five children. Mary Ann (1854), James (1858), Jane (1861), Alice (1865) and Ellen (1865).

My line of decent is through Thomas McAvoy /McEvoy (1850 Rainhill, Saint Helens); he married Ellen Keenan (1857 Lancashire). They produced six children; William (1883-1915), James (1884-1914), Margaret (1887-1961), Alice (1889) and Daniel (1893-1950).

James McEvoy was my grandfather and (Service number 45) enlisted on the 15th December 1903 and on joining James's declared age was 19 years and 7 months. After training he was posted to the 3rd Battalion and served with them until 1906. James was then transferred to D company of the 2nd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. James served in South Africa, Malta, India and France. James was promoted to Sergeant and given permission to marry on the 15th December 1913 and married Winifred Hilda Stoodley on the 12 January 1914. James and his Regiment were in Hungerford on the 14th August 1914 prior to being deployed to France. On the 24th August 1914 James sent Winifred a post card depicting him with his company in France. He was killed in action at the battle of Aisne on the 13th September 1914. James was buried in St Marguerite Churchyard along with six other members of the Regiment. The churchyard was heavily damaged over the course of the war and the bodies were not recovered; he was therefore remembered on the LA FERTA_SOUS_JOUARRE MEMORIAL.

I have been trying to research his brother William McEvoy. William McEvoy enlisted in the 3rd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1902 at Patricrott, Lancashire (service number 4545) and after training was posted to Malta. The Battalion served in the West Indies and South Africa between 1903 and 1906. The Battalion was disbanded in 1906 and William was posted to the 2nd Battalion serving in England and Ireland. William was discharged in the rank of Corporal to the reserves in 1913. He was posted to the 3rd Battalion (each reservist had to serve 5 years and was required to do two weeks training per year). In 1914 he was recalled for war service, the 3rd Battalion became a training and Draft Finding unit stationed near Hull. In March 1915 he volunteered to join a draft to 2nd East Lancashire Regiment and was renumbered 19488. He was posted to France on the 25th March 1915. William was killed in action on the 16th April 1915 France Flanders. Commemorated at the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium. 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20, Allied Victory Medal 1914-18. I have not as yet been able to find reference to any possible wife and children.

Alice McEvoy (1889) also has mystery associated with her. I have not been able to trace a husband but have discovered that she produced two children. May and a boy were brought to Michael Lavell (known as Matt or Matty) and his wife Margaret nee McEvoy’s house to be looked after for a while. They couldn't stay, as the house was already crowded and she believes they ended up in an orphanage. Later May became a nun around 26th April 1934 (Sister Marie Gabriel) but we don't know where. We think she died in the 1980's. Don't know what happened to the boy or even what his name was. There is a family story recalling someone saying they owned the 'Shambles' pub in Manchester possibly Alice's husband/partner.
1851: - Kendricks Cross, Rainhill

1861: - 12 Kendricks Cross, Prescot and Rainhill

1871: - Walkers Lane, Sutton

1881: - 12 John Street, Bradford

1891: - 3 Hunt Street, Oldham

1901: - 31 Grange Street, Failsworth

Does any of this ring any bells?

Thank you in anticipation.

Ron

Hi Ron
Thank you for sharing your family history with us.
So moving about the churchyard being badly damaged and no bodies recovered. With modern technology who knows what may happen?

For the peeps, time frame for Agnes kiddies
Michael M Lavell marr Margaret McEvoy, Prestwich 1912.

Just a query Ron, Lancs BMD/Free BMD have Daniel McAvoy marrying Mary A McLoughlin in 1846
Error do you think? She would have only been 16 according to 1871 census.
Mary Ann McEvoy bn 1830 Ire
1871 RG10/3860/33/17

1861 Rainhill older kiddies 13,11,9,7
younger ones 3yrs & 2 mnths.
Looks like he married Mary A in 1856 not 1846.



Tina

If it was 1856 I wonder whose daughter Mary Ann was, I can see why it would be assumed she was of the second marriage.

There is a lady I know with the name and having a lot of Irish links, who is a member of the Society, but I don't know if she reads our forum. I may well see her at the meeting this evening if she attends and will point out your post to her.

Hi Mary
I hope you make contact with member.

1851 Rainhill, Margt as spelt 25 bn Ire, Danl McAvoy bn Ire 31 agr labr, Wm 3,Thos 1 both bn Ire.
Also listed John Gleeson McAvoy lodger bn 1816 Ire.
Not sure about his name.

Tina

Hello Tina & Mary

Oh dear have I got it all wrong with the maiden name? It may be another Mary Ann; I have her birth place as County Leitrim. I will have to spend some money obtaining marriage certificate copies.

I also have another McEvoy ‘a cousin I expect’ shown on the 1881 census for 12 John Street, Bradford. Thomas (c1850) is noted as lodging with John (1856 Clondalkin, Dublin) and Mary McEvoy (1857 Clondalkin, Dublin) with their daughter Mary (1880 Manchester).

I do have a few photographs showing individuals looking suspiciously like members of the McEvoy clan; one of which looks very much like an Australian.

Thank you both so much for the interest you have shown in my ancestry.

Ron

Hi Ron
Let me guess...the Aussie McEvoy has Rod Laver ears

Yes, it looks like McLoughlin is not your Mary Ann.

There's a 3half year gap between birth rego for Mary A & James who is 3 in 1861 census.
Somewhere in this time frame is the death of Margaret & remarriage for Daniel, you would think.
Back later

Tina

Hi Tina

How did you guess; he did have Rod Laver ears. Another giveaway is the very strong and obviously hot sunlight. There he is ‘looking very hot in his buttoned up suit’ sitting on a grassy bank together with his wife, son and daughter. I can remember my late father referring to an Australian cousin employed as a park ranger.

Ron

I did have a word with the lady yesterday evening, whose comment was "oh I hate computers!!" but hopefully she will look and reply. I emailed here the link also.

Thank you Mary.

Computers? They make me want to vomit!!

Ron

Off Topic

I'd like to meet your Aussie McEvoy Ron, I've a possum in the roof who woke me up at 5am rehearsing for "Riverdance"..

Tina

by the way, do you have a date on the photo & a first name??

Possum’s on the roof; their nuts would have frozen solid here.

I haven’t as yet been able to pin them down, so I have no first name. I have a number of images showing this family group, two of which were taken prior or during the First World War and the remainder in Australia ‘I think’.

I do have a connection with the Melbourne area through my grandmother’s sister but this grouping have a distinctive family resemblance with each other that sets them apart from the rest of the brood.

Hi again Ron
findmypast have shipping lists from 1890.
Your grandma's sister could be listed.
It costs nothing to have squizz.

Tina

Hi Ron,

I don't see any obvious connection with your McEvoys but I will post my details anyway because something might be linked.

I have a James McEvoy, his father was Henry. James married Elizabeth Barratt in 1912, West Derby, Liverpool. Their children Bernard, Ann, James, Elizabeth, Christina & Henry were all born at West Derby between 1913 & 1926.

I am trying to find any descendants of this family.

Kind Regards
Leonie

Hello Tina

I have been in touch with my grandmother’s sister’s family (a Lewien shipped out to Melbourne in 1852). They live in Burwood, Victoria and have contributed to quite a large increase to the Australian population. Grandmother’s sister Alice Stoodley (1890 Ludgershall, Wiltshire) married Robert Lancelot Lewien (1895 Burwood, Victoria) in 1919 at Saint George, Hanover Square, London. Robert and Alice then returned to Robert’s home to live.

It’s a pity that this means of messaging doesn’t allow me to make attachments. The photographs have that nostalgic quality to them.

Ron

Hi Leonie

Thank you so much for your help in my quest. It is so difficult to tie down the McAvoy/McEvoy side of my family in Lancashire; there were a fair number of McAvoy/McEvoy immigrants during the 19th century.

I look forward to getting access to the 1911 census returns; they may take my search to a new level.

Kind regards

Ron

Hi Ron
Could this be Alice in 1911 census?
Alice Gertrude Stoodley 23 Amesbury Wilts Military Household.

Tina

Hi Tina

Yes that looks like my Alice Gertrude Stoodley. I didn’t know about the military connection.

Ron

Hi Ron,

I noticed in your first Post of this Topic that you mention Queen's County, and also County Laois (Leix)

I assume that you know that these two Counties are virtually one and the same.

Queen's County and King's County were named from Oliver Cromwell's days. The Cooper family were installed as English Landlords in Queen's County by Cromwell's Parliament. Their house and some places in the County still carry the Cooper name.

Ricky.

Hi Ron
Perhaps Alice G was boarding with a family?
Or maybe working at a Military Camp?

Tina

Hello all

I have just found reference to a William McEvoy and family in the 1911 census returns. This William is the right age, occupation (prior to enlistment) and place of birth. The only problem I can see is that his military records seem to tell us that he was still in the 2nd battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

I have attached William’s military service details as well as a transcript of the 1911 census mentioned.

William McEvoy enlisted in the 3rd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1902 at Patricrott, Lancashire (service number 4545) and after training was posted to Malta. The Battalion served in the West Indies and South Africa between 1903 and 1906. The Battalion was disbanded in 1906 and William was posted to the 2nd Battalion serving in England and Ireland. William was discharged in the rank of Corporal to the reserves in 1913. He was posted to the 3rd Battalion (each reservist had to serve 5 years and was required to do two weeks training per year). In 1914 he was recalled for war service, the 3rd Battalion became a training and Draft Finding unit stationed near Hull. In March 1915 he volunteered to join a draft to 2nd East Lancashire Regiment and was renumbered 19488. He was posted to France on the 25th March 1915. William was killed in action on the 16th April 1915 France Flanders. Commemorated at the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium. 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20, Allied Victory Medal 1914-18.

1911 Census Household Transcript

Name: Relationship to head: Marital Status: Years married: **********: Age in 1911: Occupation: Where born:

MCEVOY, WILLIAM HEAD MARRIED M 28 COP PACKER OLDHAM LANC

MCEVOY, LOUISA MARRIED 6 F 25 RUNCORN CHESHIRE

MCEVOY, BRIAN SON M 6 FAILSWORTH LANC

MCEVOY, ELLEN DAUGHTER F 4 FAILSWORTH LANC

MCEVOY, ELIZABETH DAUGHTER F 3 NEWTON HEATH LANCS

MCEVOY, MARGARET DAUGHTER F 2 MONTHS PATRICROFT LANC

MCEVOY WILLIAM (RG14PN23603 RG78PN1375 RD463 SD2 ED20 SN372)

Address 70 ELLESMERE STREET, PATRICROFT, LANCASHIRE

District Barton upon Irwell Subdistrict Barton
Enumeration District 20 Parish Eccles