Hello Everyone,
I am most thankful to have found this forum.  Hope you can point me in the proper direction with my Sheffield ancestor search...

My grandmother, Kathleen McDonagh, was born in Sheffield in 1906.  I have obtained her birth cert. from the GRO.

Registration District: Wortley
Sub-district: Bradfiield

Parents: John Patrick McDonagh (listed on the 1901 census as being from Ireland)
and Mary McDonagh formerly Hodkin. (listed in 1901 as being born in York)
Residence at the time is listed as: Spring Grove, Oughtibridge, Bradfield.

I have memberships on Ancestry & Find my Past and have been unable to locate a marriage record for her parents.  Both are buried at St. Michaels RC Cemetery in Rivelin.

I am hoping that a marriage record can help me with where in Ireland John Patrick was from.  Although, family lore and a 1930 US Census states that my Gran's MOTHER was the one from Ireland.

My only other information comes from a letter from my Gran's sister, a Mrs. Annie Boardman, who at the time (1996) was 80 years old and a resident at a Senior citizens home   Westnall House, Church Street, Oughtibridge, Sheffield, South Yorkshire.  It states that my Gran had 6 siblings... "Four of the family emigrated to the US when I was a small child.  Three of them I never knew.  Your Gran left when I was 5 years old, so I never had the love of sisters, just two brothers, now deceased."

An accompanying letter, from Annie's daughter, Liz (and Paul) Gormley (?), Manchester Rd, Deepcar, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Offers only the information that my Gran returned for a visit in the 60-70s.  

I have found emigration records for my Gran's sisters, Sarah & Mary, but none for the oldest brother, who I'm guessing was the other to emigrate.  The 1901 Census lists John & Mary McDonagh having a son, Batty, that was just under a year old.

So, my questions are:
1.  Where would the closest Catholic Church be to start looking for the marriage record of my Gran's parents
2.  how do I find out the names of my Gran's brothers?
3.  What kind of name is BATTY?  (Yes, I thought it could be Betty, but the census clearly states the child is a son, and it fits with Aunt Annie's letter.

I have sent off a letter to my cousins, Liz & Paul, to see if they can recall any more of the names and dates.  However, I hold little hope, given they knew so little 13 years ago...

Any ideas?  Any help would be greatly appreciated and reciprocated.  
Many thanks to all.

Hello Michelle.

Welcome to the forum.

The 1911 census which as available at http://www.1911census.co.uk/
lists.

John Patrick MACDONAGH (sic) aged 49
Mary aged 34
Batty aged 11
Mary aged 9
Sarah aged 7
Kathleen aged 4
John aged 3

This is a pay to view site and you have to pay seperately to view the original record.
This census lists the actual number of years they have been married (assuming that they were telling the truth)

The birth of Batty McDonagh is shown in 1900 in the Wortley registration district.
It was quite common in the 20c to name a child after one of the paternal grandmothers, using their maiden name....of course until this is found I could be completely wrong as to why he was called Batty.

Going beyond those listed on the 1911 census there is a birth in the June Q of 1917 for a Margaret A McDonagh with mothers maiden name of Hodkin, registered Wortley.
You can use the following site for BMDs although it is not complete yet, it does allow you to view others on the page for marriages.

http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/

All for now.

Angela

Angela,
Many thanks for the information.  I was able to find emigration information for Batty McDonagh.  He ended up in Philadelphia, with his sister Mary.  Not sure what became of him after 1930..
I will use the links you forwarded.  Thank you so very much.

Also, I am available to lend a hand here in the states.  I live in Civil War country & I'm very close to Washington DC.  (National Archives, Library of Congress, etc.).  Is there a place on the forum to post my availability to help the members?

Thanks again,
Michele