Boyle, Celia and Family

Census of Ireland 1901

Household Return (Form A)

In 1901, a Celia Boyle(57), farmer, was ‘Head of the Family’ and a widow. She lived with her four children in the townland of Cregboy.

Celia had three sons John(25), Martin(10) and Michael(9) with one daughter, Maggie(18). They all were born in County Galway and none were married. Celia was unable to read or write but spoke both Irish and English. John, a ‘farmer’s son’, could only read but spoke both Irish and English. Maggie, a ‘farmer’s daughter’, could read and write and spoke both Irish and English. Both Martin and Michael were ‘Scholar’s’ and could read, write and speak both Irish and English.

Enumerator’s abstract (Form N)

The second page of this particular return that lists the Boyle house is missing. It described in detail the family’s status regarding type of dwelling house, no. of families, no. of persons and religious profession of individuals.

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

Celia owns the house and farming land that she and the family lived on. The house which was 2^nd class, was a stone or brick cottage with a thatched roof. It had three front windows, with three rooms occupied. On the farm there were two out-house buildings.

The second page of this particular return that lists the Boyle’s house in Form B2 (Out-Offices and Farm-Steadings Returns) is missing. It describes the farm buildings in detail.

The 1901 Irish Census took place the night of Sunday, March 31st. The returns were filled out. As, Celia could not read or write ‘Form A’ was signed by Celia with an ‘X’ for ‘her mark’. It was witnessed, signed and collected by local constable John Reilly on April 5th.

Census of Ireland 1911

Household Return (Form A)

In 1911, Celia Boyle(70), a farmer, was ‘Head of the Family’ and a widow. She lived with her two children in the townland of Cregboy. Celia had one son Patrick(29) and one daughter, Margaret(26). They were born in County Galway and none were married. Celia was unable to read or write but spoke Irish only. Patrick, a ‘farmer’s son’, could read and write and spoke both Irish and English. Margaret, a ‘farmer’s daughter’, could read and write and spoke both Irish and English.

There are three new columns in the 1911 census, ‘Years Married’, ‘Children Born’ and ‘Children Living’. It is stated that there are four children born and four living to Celia.

Enumerator’s abstract (Form N)

The Boyle family were the only family living in the house, there was one male and two females and all are of the Roman Catholic faith.

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

Celia owned the 2^nd class house. It was stone or brick cottage with a thatched roof. It had three front windows and two rooms occupied. On the farm, there are one out-house building, a piggery.

The 1911 Irish Census took place the night of Sunday, April 2nd and the forms were filled out by Celia as noted by her signature. The return was witnessed and collected by local constable Thomas Fitzgerald on April 8th.

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 the ‘War of Independence’ against Britain. By 1926 Ireland was a Free State and the government was able to take their first census. The 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.