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Post by sandycheeks on Mar 19, 2016 19:44:41 GMT 1
Hello, I am really hoping someone might be able to help me. I have never visited Merthyr but it is where my Grandfather Daniel James Driscoll was born in 1900. His brother Harry was a barber who sadly took his own life back in the 60's so I would like to hear from anyone who has any memories of the family. Patrick Driscoll their Father was born in County Cork (Kilmacabea) and came with his parents and brothers to Merthyr in about 1870. Patrick married Margaret Donovan and they lived in Maria Street, later Garth Street. On Patrick's death certificate his occupation is given as "retired Ostler" and my grandad always said he started his working life as a miner and then looked after the pit ponies but I don't know which one he worked at. Does anyone know if there are employee records which I can search?
Fingers crossed x
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Post by mikemerthyr on Mar 21, 2016 18:04:40 GMT 1
Hello sandycheeks When did Patrick die there may be a report in the local newspaper had a quick look but there are about 6 Patrick's who died registered in Merthyr between 1922-1980. I did find two reports of Harry/Henry Driscoll (barber)his brother these are on page 1 February 15th edition and inquest report page 1 February 22nd edition of Merthyr Express there is also a family acknowledgement on page 2 of this edition. I had a look in the catholic records in the library the marriages baptisms and deaths of the family are in these books all at St Mary's Church Merthyr they give witness names in marriage and godparents in baptisms .I found Patrick and Margaret living at 5 MORIAH STREET MORGANTOWN MERTHYR with their son DANIEL JAMES DRISCOLL who was serving in the NAVY in 1922-23 Navy number M/30511 on H.M.S ACTAEON 1922 and H.M.S DUNEDIN in 1923.There are very few colliery records. Hope this helps you a little.
Mike
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Post by sandycheeks on Mar 23, 2016 10:54:56 GMT 1
Thank you so much Mike. It was indeed the newspaper reports for Harry I was particularly interested in. Do you know if the library provide a service where they will copy and post records?
Patrick died 10 June 1957 in St Tydfils Hospital. He was 92! Unless there was something in the paper to indicate where he worked I guess I will never know.
Once again thank you so much for taking time out of your day to go and look for me. I really appreciate it.
Sandy
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Post by mikemerthyr on Mar 23, 2016 15:06:28 GMT 1
Hello Sandy I will have a look for Patrick's death. Merthyr library will send you copies if you send them the details dates, page numbers, etc, how much they will charge I don't know not much I think! Their email is or was library.services@merthyr.gov.uk you should check this though to be sure it might have changed.
Mike
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Post by sandycheeks on Mar 23, 2016 17:01:46 GMT 1
Thank you Mike. You are a true star! I hope something turns up for Patrick but I'll wait to hear from you and then send my wish list to the library after the Easter Weekend. Sandy  ? |
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Post by terrymacdowlais on Mar 24, 2016 13:20:31 GMT 1
Hello there,
I remember very well getting my hair cut at Harry's.He had an assistant called Harry Dunn who was a mate of my brother Bill McNamara. There was alway's banter about Ireland and the Irish communities in Dowlais/Merthyr.You can be proud of your uncle he was a fun person,I remember him with fondness ! Terry Mac.
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Post by sandycheeks on Mar 24, 2016 22:20:31 GMT 1
Thank you so much Terrymacdowlais for sharing you memory and kind words. It means so much to me. I hope you were happy with your haircut!! Harry sounds like he was a lovely man.
I'm sure there must be many Driscolls still in Merthyr Tydfil who are relatives - My great grandfather Patrick had a number of brothers who all married and I would love to hear from anyone who thinks they may be related. Patrick's parents were John Driscoll who died in 1874 ( only 44 years old) and Norah Shea who died in 1915. Obviously they were Irish but I grew up thinking my grandad was welsh. He was a lovely man, He could speak Welsh, loved to sing, used to play the music at the silent talkies in the cinema and trained as a student teacher before he joined the navy. But most of all I remember him for singing Danny Boy
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Post by mikemerthyr on Mar 30, 2016 15:07:53 GMT 1
Hello Sandy I had a look in the newspaper could not find any report for Patrick sorry!.Perhaps there was no family in Merthyr to put an obit in the paper or they felt there was no need for one.
Mike
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Post by sandycheeks on Apr 6, 2016 14:29:01 GMT 1
Oh that's sad. My grandad had long left Merthyr, he married and settled on the Isle of Sheppey. But Harry lived with his father Patrick in Garth Street. I guess this will just have to remain a mystery. Thank you so much for taking the trouble to try and find out information from the library. I really appreciate all your help.
Sandy
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Post by mikemerthyr on Aug 19, 2016 18:47:49 GMT 1
Hello sandy I had a look to see if there was an obit for his wife MARGARET and if it said wife of PATRICK who worked as an OSTLER at collier. but it does not say, sometimes it does, there are two small notice in newspaper for her. One on page 2 JUNE 13 1942 says died JUNE 9th gives address /wife of PATRICK / mother of DAN and HARRY . And a small acknowledgement from the family on page 2 of June 20th 1942 thanking people. Mike |
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