Grealish, Peter and Family

Census of Ireland 1911

Household Return (Form A) for house No. 18

In 1911, Peter Grealish (74) a ‘Farmer’ was head of the household and lived with his wife Margaret (58) and with their son James (32) and his family in the townland of Carnmore West, Claregalway. Peter could not read or write. Margaret could read, write and spoke both Irish and English. Their son James (32) and his wife Winifred (22) were married two years and had a daughter, Mary (4 months). Both James and Winifred could read, write and spoke both Irish and English.

There were three new columns in the 1911 census compared to that of 1901. They are ‘Years Married’, ‘Children Born’ and ‘Children Living’. Peter and Margaret were married thirty-six years. They had eight children born to them and only six alive.

In addition, there was two ‘Agricultural labourers’ present on the night, Henry Doyle (26) and a James Conway (20) both were single and could read and write. Henry spoke both Irish and English but James only spoke English. All were born in County Galway.

Enumerator’s Abstract (Form N)

The Grealish family were the only family living in the house, there were four males and three females present that night. All were of the Roman Catholic faith

House and Building Return (Form B1) & Out-Offices and Farm-Steadings Return (Form B2)

Michael owned the house and farm. The house was a 2nd class stone or brick cottage with a thatched roof. It had three front windows and three rooms occupied. There were six out-offices and farmsteads a stable, a cow house, a calf house, a piggery, a barn and a shed.

The returns were filled out and signed by Michael. It was witnessed as a truthful return and collected by Constable Thomas Fitzgerald on April 11^th.

Neighbours

13. James Grealish, 14. John Grealish, 15. James (Michl) Grealish, 16. John Carr (Pat), 17. Michael Sheridan, 18. Peter Grealish, 19. Martin Beatty, 20. Patt Carr, 21. Bartly Moran, 22. Honor Fahey, 23. Connor Morris.

Sources: NAI, (National Archives of Ireland) www.nationalarchives.ie, accessed 12/07/2017

Census of Ireland 1926

The next census in Ireland was not taken until 1926. It was not taken in 1921 as Ireland was in the midst of the ‘War of Independence’ against Britain. By 1926 Ireland was a Free State and the government was able to take their first census. The official due date for the release of the 1926 Census is January 1st, 2027 as there is a 100-year privacy law in Ireland. There have been many attempts to have an earlier release date, but to no avail yet.