Dear Debbie

I wonder if you can help?

I have been carrying out family research for over 25 years and believe I am familiar with most source material. I have built up a database of 30 000 names of people in County Louth, Ireland between 1800 and 1900 where my ancestors came from.

JOHN JOSEPH HUGHES b 1891

I have traced all my aunts and uncles but one man eludes me - John Joseph Hughes and I seek your help to see if he emigrated from Ireland to Australia.

John Joseph Hughes was born on 3 May 1891 in Killin, County Louth, Ireland and he was baptised at the local RC Lordship church.

In 1921 he was a sponsor at the baptism of his niece so presumably he was living in County Louth at that time.

MARRIAGE 1931

On 3 May 1891 he married Maria Williams who was a widow. Her maiden name was Lloyd or Lough. The place of the marriage is not known. My source for the information was the baptismal register at Lordship RC church- there was a note against the baptismal entry for John Joseph Hughes.

You may well be aware of the practice regarding catholic marriages. The priest at the parish where the marriage was to be held would write to the baptismal parish to confirm that the individual was a baptised catholic. When the marriage took place the officiating priest would write to the baptismal parish giving details of the marriage. It was the practice in County Louth for the parish priest to make a note in the baptismal register regarding the marriage. In the case of John Joseph Hughes the note made did not record the place of marriage.

I have written to the church authorities seeking access to their correspondence files for 1931 but they do not respond to my requests.

My 90 year old mother believes that John Joseph Hughes died in a drowning accident but she has no further details. I suspect that John died before 1960.

I have searched all over the world to find this man without success.

From the information I have provided are you able to search your sources to see if he turns up on your radar?

I would be very grateful for any information you can give about the couple if they happened to have taken up residence in Australia.

Thanking you in anticipation

Michael Hughes
England