96. Family Bible Clarifications From Niall Green

Information Recorded In the O’Neill Family Bible

Information on the birth dates of John O’Neail’s children in the O’Neill Family Bible has been reproduced in various articles and documents.  I think some of writing has been misinterpreted or miscopied, and I would propose the following:

1.    The last number in the year of birth for James O’Neail is probably an 8. It is not a 7, and I do not think it is a 9. if it is compared with the year of Luke O’Neail’s birth. The year of birth should be 1758, not 1757.

2.    If this number is an 8, then the year of birth for William O’Neail should read 1781, not 1778. This would be consistent with the gravestone inscription which reads William O’Neill died 15^th April 1843 aged 62 years. This was also recorded in the Journals for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead. Volume III printed 1895/7.

If William was aged 62 in 1843, his year of birth would be 1781.

3.    The month of Catherine’s birth has been recorded as May, whereas the family bible clearly indicates the month was August.

Does anyone have any alternative views on the above?

Niall Green

19.10.2017