I have collected some information about the Lynskeys in
Birkenhead, England as part of my reasearch into my ancestors. I
thought that this might be an opportune time to record it for the
site. Birkenhead was a growing port in the 1840s and 1850s, and was
just across the river from Liverpool, where many ships sailing for
the Americas stopped off. Consequently many people from Ireland
either headed there or went no further in their intended journey.
Most of the Lynskey families in Birkenhead congregated around Field
Street - a row of tenement houses near to the docks. It has since
been demolished.
I have looked at the 1851, 1881 and 1901 censi for Birkenhead,
limited parts of the 1861 and 1891 censi, and collected some
information on births marriages and deaths as they affect my own ancestors.
In 1851 there were no Lynskey families in Birkenhead, though Bridget
Brennan, daughter of Maurice Healy, was living there aged 30 with her
son Patrick Brennan aged 7. Bridget was a widow from Co Galway, a
cockle seller. She was to marry Patrick Lynskey in 1852. Patrick was
a widower from Co Galway, born in 1813 the son of another
Patrick Lynskey. He lived at 62 Field Street at the time of his marriage.
By 1861 they were living at 11 Field Street with children
Patrick(born Galway 1844)from Bridget's first marriage , John (born
Galway 1843), assumed to have been a son from Patrick's previous
marriage as he was not with Bridget on the 1851 census, Thomas (born
Birkenhead 1853), Julia (born Birkenhead 1855) and Matthew (born
Birkenhead 1859).
Also in 1861, next door in Field Street, were William Lynskey (born
Galway 1834), his wife Ann (O'Neaill, born 1835 Co Cavan), and
children Mary Ann (born Birkenhead 1854), Catherine (born Lancashire
1856) and Owen (born Birkenhead 1858). The relationship between the
two families is unclear.
Again in 1861, in an adjacent property in Field Street, were Patrick
Cavanagh and his wife Bridget. Bridget's former name was Lynskey and
she was born in Ireland in 1821. The marriage to Patrick Cavanagh is
recorded in 1855 in Birkenhead. Living with them was a daughter Kate
Lynskey (born Birkenhead 1841). It is not clear who is Kate's father.
Bridget could have been previously married to a Lynskey, or Lynskey
is her maiden name and Kate born
before she married. In 1881 some of the Lynskey families in the area
are recorded as Lanskey. At 9 Field Street lived Thomas and Bridget
Healy aged 40 and 30 years respectively. Both born in Ireland. They
lived with their 6 children, all born in Birkenhead. It seems likely
that they are related to Bridget Healy
as they live next door to her. Also at 9 Field Street is Ann Lynskey,
now a widow, with her children Mary Ann, Catherine, Owen, and now
also Esther (born Birkenhead 1861) and William (born Birkenhead
1865). At 11 Field Street were Bridget Lynskey, now a widow, with her
son Thomas.
At 13 Field Street was Julia Lynskey, now Byrne, daughter of Patrick
and Bridget, and her children. Julia Lynskey had married Edward Byrne
in 1874.
At 29 Field Street is John Lynskey, son of Patrick and Bridget,
lodging with the O'Grady family.
Around the corner at 423 Brook Street was a Mark Lynskey, (born
Birkenhead 1859, with his wife Ann and child Mark (born 1880 Birkenhead).
It is not clear whether he is related. In 1891 I have only details of
Julia and Patrick Byrne's family living at 11 Field Street with their
children who now include my g grandfather, James. The other
families are probably there.
In 1901 census records the Byrne family still at this address, with
Bridget Lynskey now 70 years, living with them. It appears that her
age has been rounded down.
At 35 Field Street is the family of Bridgets son John, now married to
Mary Madden(b 1851 Birkenhead. The marriage is recorded in 1888.
Living with them are daughter Mary Madden
(b Birkenhead 1882).
It is not clear who her father is. Daughter Bridget Lynskey (b
Birkenhead 1888)and daughter Margaret Lynskey (b Birkenhead
1897. She is recored as married but John is not on the census.
At 3 Upper Beckwith Street, an adjacent road, is the family of
Bridget's son
Thomas, now married to Winnifred Carey, with daughter Evelyn Lynskey
(b Birkenhead 1884). The marriage is recorded in 1882. Winnifred is
not recorded as widowed, however Thomas is not on the census for that
area. In another part of Birkenhead, 59 Argyle Street South lived
Patrick Lynskey
(b Ireland 1861), wife Mary Ann and children Peter, Mary Ann,
Patrick, Michael. The children were born in New Ferry and
Bolton. there doesn't seem to be a link with the Field Street
families. This family is extensively recorded elsewhere on the site.
The only other entry for 1901 is Annie Lynskey (b Birkenhead 1883).
She is a live in domestic servant whose family is unclear,
My own interest is in finding the connection between the families,
and tracing the line back to Ireland. Any information would be
gratefully received. I hope that the above is of interest to anyone
researching Lynskey families in the area.
Carla Blair
carlablair@onetel.net.uk
London