William Egan (1861-1905)

William Egan is Dermot's great grandfather.

The earliest record I have is for William's marriage registration in 1885. So far, I have not been able to find anything earlier, and as such, do not have the name of William's mother or any siblings.

His father was Michael (from marriage registration).
He was born in 1861 in Kings County, Ireland (from 1901 census).

William married Rose Duffy on 4 June 1885 at the Roman Catholic Chapel of Ballinahown.
The marriage record states:
William Egan, full age, bachelor, railway guard, living in Dublin. Father: Michael Egan – labourer
Rose Duffy, full age, spinster, living in Kilgarvin. Father: James Duffy – farmer
Witnesses: Thomas Dalton and Rose Dalton

I haven't been able to find out who the witnesses were and I cannot make out the address of William.

In 1901, the Egan family were living at 13 Townparks, Navan, Co Meath.

• William Egan – age 40, stationmaster, born in Kings County
• Rose Egan – age 37, born in Co Westmeath
• Emily J Egan – age 14, scholar, born in Dublin City
• James J Egan – age 12, scholar, born in Co Westmeath
• John Egan – age 11, scholar, born in Co Meath
• Mary Egan – age 9, scholar, born in Co Meath
• Rose Egan – age 7, scholar, born in Co Meath
• Helen Egan – age 1, born in Co Meath

On the census record Emily is recorded as Emily J, this is the only official record that I have where she is given a middle initial. I suspect it was an error. James J is correct, as he was James Joseph.

William worked for Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) and with this information, it is possible to piece together where he may have worked. The birth record for Emily in April 1886, gives an address of Little Bank, Constitution Hill, Dublin and his occupation is given as railway guard. Constitution Hill is close to Broadstone Station in Dublin, so this is possibly where he worked.

James Joseph was born in April 1888 and it looks as if Rose may have been visiting her parents, as the address of the birth is given as Kilgarvin, the address for William is different, but difficult to read (may be Kilfree). His occupation is given as stationmaster MGWR.

John was born in September 1889 and the address given is Enfield, William's occupation is given as stationmaster, MGWR. Enfield railway station connected to Broadstone Station, Dublin.

When Mary was born in August 1891, William was the stationmaster at Navan, County Meath and he remained there until his death in October 1905.

Family Births
Emily (1886-1959)
James Joseph (1888-1931)
John (1889-????) (may have emigrated to Canada)
Mary (1891-1947)
Rosana (1893-1957)
William (1897-1900)
Helen Clare (1899-1986)
Teresa Josephine (1901-????) (death record not found)

Family Deaths
William (son) – 20 May 1900 (age 2)

William died aged 44 on 20 October 1905  in Navan, Co Meath, the cause of death was given as pernicious anaemia (6 months), exhaustion.