I am working with a Kaighin who will be visiting the island in September and is trying to track down his GG grandfather. His GG grandfather's name was Philip Kaighin. What is known about him is that he married Ann Comish on 19 May 1866 in Bride. He lived at Knockbane (now Cronkbane) in Bride and may have moved twice, first to Ballaugh, then to Douglas, where two of his children were born. by 1871 the family had moved to Mirfield, Yorkshire where another child was born and where he can be found in the 1881 Census.
The above is what we know as fact. The following is speculation and I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this mystery for us.
Our theory is that Philip, and an older brother Charles was born illegitimate to Margaret Boyd(e). Here are the records that we think support this theory along with some speculation.
- IGI - 9 Nov 1834 Charles Boyd christened to Margaret Boyd, Kirk Michael. Father not listed.
- IGI - 26 Jun 1836 Philip Boyde christened to Margaret Boyde, Kirk Michael. Father not listed.
(speculation) Either Philip died and a second Philip was born in 1839/40 or there was a transcription error in the IGI and his real birth is 1839/40. There are no burial records for a Philip Boyd or Philip Kaighin for this period in German or Michael. However, there is a Philip Kaighin, 1, buried 30 Jan 1838, Kirk Malew.
(speculation) 1840/41 father ?? Kaighin acknowledges paternity to both Charles and Philip.
- 1841 Census, Lambfell Moar, K. German 1 8 36, Margaret Boyde, (40) head, Charles Kaighin (son) 7, Philip Kaighin (son) 1.
1851 Census, Lambfell Moar, Kirk German, Margaret Boyde, (53) head, b. Jurby, Charles Kaighin (son) 17, ag labourer, b. K. Michael, Philip Kaighin (son) , 11 scholar, b. K. Malew.
1861 Census, Kirk Michael district 2, Entry 28, Philip Boyde, 22 born K. German. (this could be someone else)
(speculation) Margaret Boyde and ?? Kaighin never marry.
1881 British Census. Stevensons Row, Mirfield, York, England. Charles (head) 46, Married (no wife listed). b. IOM, Railway Drayman. Philip (son), 18, Unmarried, b. IOM, Railway Porter. No other family listed.
1881 British Census. East Thorpe, Mirfield, York, England. Philip Kaighin (Head), 38, b. IOM, Married, Maltsters Labourer. Ann (wife) Married, 39, born IOM. And four children listed.
These last two census records are ten households apart in Mirfield. We speculate that these are the same brothers as above.
So now our theory. Charles and Philip are born and christened as Boyds by their mother Margaret Boyd. Prior to the 1841 Census, the father ?? Kaighin acknowledges paternity and from then forward, the boys are know as Kaighins.
Can anyone tell me who the father was in all this? And does anyone have anything they can add to either confirm our theory or dispel it? I'd like try to solve this before my Kaighin cousin gets to the island in September. Thank you in advance.
Greg Kaighin