Drama at the Dublin

Registrar’s Office

Surprise E-mail

“Did Alexander Lockhart and Margaret Agnew have a son John? who died young age 23?

If you are still on this thread please contact me at chuftier @ eircom.net”

 Cecile Mulcahy

My response: Yes

• John was a medical student at Queen’s University in Belfast

• He died age 23 in Belfast

• I have all available information for him, including death registration

• Why are you asking? Who could possibly be interested?

John Lockhart, abt. 1883

Story from Cecile:

• She is a professional researcher in Ireland

• Has client, Kevin Lockhart, in USA

• Kevin’s grandfather, Edward John Lockhart, came to USA in 1909

• She found out that his parents were John Lockhart and Maud McDonald

Birth registration – N. DublinDecember 28, 1886

Birth details

• Child: - male, no name given

• Born 28 December, 1886

• Rotunda Hospital, Dublin

• Father – John Lockhart, deceased

• Mother, Maud Lockhart, formerly McDonald

“Marriage” of John Lockhart and Maud McDonald

• Her search led to very unusual results

• John Lockhart “nearly” married Maud McDonald in November, 1886

Very sceptical - how does that connect to “my” John Lockhart?

• This was all in Dublin - John lived and died in Belfast

• Could have been other “John” Lockhart’s

• And – by the way - what does “nearly married” mean??

Marriage registration – sort of

Unusual Marriage Registration

• Bottom section not completed

• Lines struck through the entry state:

“Cancelled owing to Miss McDonald being a minor by 6 days”

• So this marriage was not, in fact, a valid marriage

Any rationale for connection to my Belfast Lockhart’s ?

• To my surprise – yes.

• Father of John Lockhart given as Alexander Lockhart, Solicitor

• Cecile correctly determined that there was only one Alexander Lockhart, solicitor, in Ireland at that time

• So – this John was indeed my grandfather’s brother!

But – why the dramatic stop to the marriage?

• Did someone show up with her baptismal certificate?

• Was the Registrar just being difficult that day?

• Her mother could have given consent – was she not willing? Why not?

• Did his brother, a law student in Dublin, step in to prevent this marriage?

Even more dramatic - let’s follow the dates:

• November 6, 1886 – an attempt made to marry

• November 12, 1886 – Maud comes of age

• November 13, 1886 – John dies

• December 28, 1886 – their son is born

John’s death registration

John’s Death Registration

• 13 November, 1886• 1 Fitzroy Terrace, Belfast• Medical Student• Age 23• Father – Alexander Lockhart, Solicitor• Cause of death:

Fever – 15 days

But - the dates overlap

• With a fever of 15 days John was ill while in Dublin

• As a medical student did he realize he might die?

• Was he trying to have his child legitimized and his wife provided for?

• Why did they wait so long?

Picture the scene:

• Maud is very pregnant

• They are in the Registrar’s office, not a church, desperate to complete this marriage

• Her mother is evidently not present

• John is feverish

Something happened! What??

• We can imagine various scenarios

• Will we ever know? Probably not.

• Did John’s parents ever know? Likely not

• Did John’s brother, Henry, the law student, step in to help Maud & the baby afterwards? (or is he the culprit?)

• Still seeking the baby’s baptismal registration to determine names of witnesses

Could Harlequin give us a more dramatic story?

• Lesson learned:

• Never change your email address – others still find your old message board inquiries

• Respond to all emails, even if they seem completely far-fetched

• Believe that long lost relatives can be found - even if you never knew to look for them

A Happy Ending

• Maud married 4 years later

• Edward John came to the USA and married, leaving many descendants

• Kevin is thrilled to find me – plus my 20 years of family research

• Of course – he only took up genealogical research last year