Kerins, John and Family

Census of Ireland 1901

Household Return (Form A)

In 1901 a John Kerins(53), was a farmer and head of the household and living with wife Bridget(48) and his nephew John Glynn(24). Bridget is recorded as having no occupation, which meant that she was engaged in domestic duties at home. All were born in County Galway and all are Roman Catholic. John Glynn is not married and is a ‘Farm Servant’ on the farm. John himself can only read and speak Irish and English. Bridget and John Glynn can both read, write and speak Irish and English.

Enumerator’s abstract (Form N)

The second page of this particular return that lists John Kerins house is missing. It describes in detail the family’s status regarding dwelling house, families, persons and religious profession.

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

John Kerins owns the land and cottage that he and his family live on. The house which was 2nd class and is a stone or brick cottage with a thatched roof, it had three front windows and is occupied in four rooms. On the farm there are six buildings. The second page of this particular return that lists John Kerins 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 and the forms were filled out by local Constable John Reilly. John has witnessed that all is correct by ‘his mark’ an X as John himself could not write. The forms were witnessed and collected by the local constable on April 5th.

Census of Ireland 1911

In 1911, John(70), is still a farmer and is head of the household. Since the 1901 Census Bridget his wife has passed away and John is now a widower. John Glynn his nephew has moved away and a John Fahey and his family are living with him. The Fahey’s are relations of John. John Fahey(26), a farmer, is married to Maggie(22). There are three new columns in the 1911 census compared to the 1901 census, ‘Years Married’, ‘Children Born’ and ‘Children Living’. John and Maggie are 3 years married. Maggie gave birth to two girls and both are living. Nellie(2) and Mary(1) are too young to both read, write or speak at this time. Also John Kerins is recorded as being able to read and write now. All were born in County Galway and are Roman Catholic by faith.

There is also a ‘Farm Servant’ by the name of Michael Shaughnessy(18). He works on the farm with John Kerins and John Fahey. He is unable to read or write but speaks both Irish and English.

Enumerator’s abstract (Form N)

There is only one family living in the house, there was three male and three females and all are of the Roman Catholic faith.

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

The house the existing stone cottage, owned by John, with a thatched roof with 3 windows at the front of the house and the family occupies only 3 rooms now. On the farm there is only five buildings now. With page two of Form B2 available we can tell that they are a stable, cow shed, piggery, barn and a shed.

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

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.