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I've traced my Walsh ancestry back to my 3 x Great Grandfather, Michael Walsh , a Carpenter. I currently have no further information about Michael.
Michael's son James (c1829-1871), my 2 x great Grandfather, married Catherine Landrigan at St. Stephen's, Rochester Row, Westminster, London on 11th October, 1858. James is recorded as having a number of occupations, including Clerk/Timekeeper at an Iron Foundry, a Prison Warder at Gillingham, Kent (c1863-c1868) and, on his death certificate, a Blacksmith. Interestingly, on wife Catherine's death certificate, she is recorded as "Widow of James Michael Walsh, an Army Sergeant".
The time-frame involved has made me consider the possibility that James was in the army and fought in the Crimean War (1853-56), prior to his marriage to Catherine. In the 1851 Census, a James Walsh, born 1827 in Drumhome, Donegal, Ireland, was recorded as a Gunner in the Royal Artillery at Brompton Barracks, Gillingham, Kent. Unfortunately, despite extensive searching, I have been unable to find my James and his family in the 1861 Census, which might have provided confirmation of his place of birth. Research continues.
James and Catherine had 6 children, the eldest of whom was my Great Grandmother Mary Alma (1857-1901).
James died in 1871 of Phthisis (Tuberculosis) and Catherine of "old age" in 1903.
My Great Grandmother, Mary Alma Walsh, was born on 3rd April 1857. She married my Great Grandfather Allen Henry Rice at St. John's, Chelsea on 6th March 1881.
