Please check my research! McGahey - Birmingham

[Jmcgahey]

Hi,

I am new to this site, but have been researching my family tree for 15 years. I have reached several brick walls and started researching my husbands family tree. I am quite good at making assumptions. I would appreciate it if anyone had the time to read the following and let me know how realistic it sounds!

My husbands great grandfather was Joseph Charles McGahey born 1902 in Birmingham (however on freeBMD it is transcribed as MacGahey), he married Sarah Mason (widow -was Stansbie, in 1921). I was given some names by my husbands grandad - but he didn’t really want to talk about it. His mother died and his father remarried and I think they lost contact.

I ordered the marriage certificate of Joseph C McGahey and Sarah Mason to try and prove a link between the possible parents I had found. But it feels like I am making too many assumptions.

Joseph McGahey was in the RAF, I haven’t been able to look at his military record (I try not to pay for records! His marriage certificate was the first I’ve ordered). However I did see on his record that his mother was Ellen. I looked for marriages between a McGahey and Ellen and found a record for the marriage of Thomas James McGahey and Ellen White in 1907 (so 5 years after his birth ?!).

On the marriage certificate (for Joseph) his father is listed as Thomas McGahey but deceased. I can’t find a death record before 1921 and thought it could be a mistake (his wife’s father was deceased) or they could be estranged.

Thomas McGahey and Ellen we’re living together on the 1901 census, although it looks like Ellen’s age is wrong. Then in 1911 they are recorded as being married for 4 years and have 3 children - including a 6 year old. Joseph is not living with them and I can’t find a Joseph McGahey. I have found a Joseph White living with grandparents - so wondered if they could have put down his mothers surname accidentally.

Thomas James McGahey was originally from Cheshire, I have found quite a few electoral roll records for him. He is married but living alone.

I couldn’t find a death record for Ellen McGahey, so started looking for different surnames. Ellen Bradshaw (born 1876) died in 1949. I found a marriage record for Ellen McGahey and James Bradshaw in 1947. In 1939 James Bradshaw was living with Ellen Bradshaw - born 1876.

I am assuming that they married after the birth of their son (they were living together before he was born), for some reason Joseph was with grandparents in 1911. They separated between 1911 and 1919 (when he joined the military) as only Ellen is mentioned. Ellen lived with Janes Bradshaw but had to wait until the death of her husband in 1947 before she could marry again.

Any help or advice appreciated,

Thanks
Joanna

 

[Ladybird1300]

The Uk Airforce record is on Fold three a military site, but the transcription is on Ancestry:

Name: Joseph Charles McGahey
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 28 Feb 1902
Birth Place: Ladywood, Birmingham, Warwick, England
Service Date: 14 Feb 1919
Service Number: 327351
Next of Kin: Ellen McGahey

Just took a look on the GRO at Joseph's registration mmn was Alltimes. Could be his parents weren't married may be that's why he didn't want to talk about it.

Amanda

 

[Jmcgahey]

The Uk Airforce record is on Fold three a military site, but the transcription is on Ancestry:

Name: Joseph Charles McGahey
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 28 Feb 1902
Birth Place: Ladywood, Birmingham, Warwick, England
Service Date: 14 Feb 1919
Service Number: 327351
Next of Kin: Ellen McGahey

Just took a look on the GRO at Joseph's registration mmn was Alltimes. Could be his parents weren't married may be that's why he didn't want to talk about it.

Amanda

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that, I have seen another family tree on ancestry with Alltimes.

Thanks
Joanna

 

[Ladybird1300]

Taken another look at female Alltimes between 1870 and 1885, there aren't many of them and all born St Savious Southwark, hope this helps.

Amanda

 

[Jmcgahey]

Thanks. This is definitely one of the areas that is going to be tricky! Things just aren’t adding up.

I think the most likely candidate is Ellen Maria Alltimes (born 1863, Malling, Kent)

Married Edmund Joseph Arundel December 1882 in Surrey (ages and middle name fit)

Then living with Edmund in 1891

But by 1901 she is living in Birmingham with Thomas McGahey 😳, birthplace Kent and year of birth approximately correct.

Then in 1911 she is listed as a widow (Ellen Arundle) and her son is down as Joseph Arundle (date and place of birth correct for both)

I can’t find a death record for Ellen Arundel between the 1891 and 1901 census.

In 1939 Joseph McGahey is in the RAF and based in Kent.

I’m desperately trying to find evidence.

Thanks
Joanna

 

[Jeff4ry]

Hi Joanna
I have just found this Forum and I am so pleased that you are talking about my father.
He was very secretive about his family and I never found out anything about my grandparents.
Is your husbands grandfather Keith McGahey ? (my half nephew).