How can I find my ancestor?

Question

My ancestor Nora Murphy I found a birth certificate for, she was born at 6 foundry st, Halifax, Yorkshire, to her mother Annie Murphy and unknown father in 1893. In the 1901 census Annie has vanished and Nora is living with her unmarried aunt Ellen Murphy. I've searched death and electoral records, marriage, baptism and travel. Cannot work out where Annie went. Nora was always told by Aunt Ellen that her mother went "back to Mayo, Ireland" to help family during the 'potato famine' which doesn't tally with the dates. I'm stumped and would be happy to search if only I knew where to! Any suggestions/help very appreciated.

Maxi · Accepted Answer

Any idea how old Annie was and what occupation she had ?

Add: there are several in Mayo on the 1901 and 1911 Irish census , one possibility looks as good as another to me, so if you know her siblings names, or her parents names that could help, none I checked out mentioned having had a child, however she may have gone to England to have the child, left Nora with aunt Ellen and returned to Ireland without ever informing her family in Ireland about Nora

This is an Annie Murphy aged 32yrs in 1911 with her widowed mum http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai002992639/ and single but she would have been very young having Nora ( but not unknown) the others that could be and older have a sister called Ellen living in the house in both the 1901 and 1911, so unlikely them

Lol · Answer

Apart from what I already said all I know about Annie is that her occupation was listed as worsted spinner, I think that was probably just because of the area she lived in though and will be surprised if that continued when she left Halifax. Taking inspiration from your answer I think I'll follow some Annie Murphy lines in Mayo and see if I can rule a few out. Thank you!

Trending News

How can I find my ancestor?

2 Answers