Joseph Michael Burke : Short Biography

Joseph Michael Burke (1881-1954) of Clonmacnoise Road, Crumlin was born at 15 Thomas Court in Dublin's Liberties (opposite St Catherine's Park) on 28 September 1881.  (Mary Murphy of 8 Thomas Court present at birth).

His parents were Edward Burke (1853 -1905) & Sarah McDermott (c. 1855 -1922) and he had at least 2 older brothers and 2 younger sisters.

On Nov 20 1864, at St Catherine's RC Church on Meath St. Edward Burke tobacco spinner, of 20 Bow Lane (son of Michael & Honoria Burke Laborer Co. Galway) married Sarah McDermott, (dealer) of 10 Rainsford Street (dau. of John & Esther McDermott, laborer) WITNESSES John Hayes of 41 Thomas St and Esther Smith of 10 Meath Market.

Neither could read or write and signed the marriage Cert X their mark. No birth records for either. Both were minors (Edward being about age 14 and Sarah ??) .  A "tobacco spinner" made and sold tobacco products such as cigars and snuff. According to family lore the Burkes had a shop in the Liberties. 

In the Census of 1901, Joe (age 24) was living with his parents at #1 Storeys Buildings near Ushers Quay.  The family of 7 occupied 2 rooms in what seems to be a 2nd class tenement shared by 3 families (since demolished).  Only the eldest sibling, Michael could read & write, and all the boys (including Joe) were general laborers. 

In 1905, Edward Burke Sr died age 54, at the South Dublin Workhouse (now St James Hospital)  from carcinoma of the mouth and tongue.  (TBC: Sarah Burke maybe died in 1922 at Dublins SU Workhouse). After this, the family moved to #10 School Street, Pimlico (at the back of the Guinness Brewery). 

On 29 April 1906, at St Catherine's RC Church, Joseph Michael Burke (1881-1954) married Ellen Walsh (1883-1956) daughter of Patrick Walsh, labourer, of 9 Meath Street. WITNESSES Thomas Walsh & ?illie / Jillia Nelson. Joe signed X as his mark. 

By the time of the 1911 Census, Joe Burke was working as a butcher's porter and residing at 3 Bonham Street (no longer extant). By that time Ellen had borne 3 children (all living). Ellen's widowed brother and nephew were living with them. 

In 1911 his mother Sarah Burke (widow) and siblings were still living at 10 School Street, Pimlico. 

By 1938 the Burkes had moved to 172 Clonmacnoise Road, Crumlin (when their son Edward married). Joe was by then an employee of Dublin Corporation.

Children:

5 Jan 1938 Edward Burke (Pork Butcher, 172 Clonmacnoise Rd Crumlin) m. Elizabeth Murphy (5 Kimmage Cottages) at Our Lady of the Rosary Church WIT Bessie Murphy & Thomas Burke FATHER Joseph Burke Corporation Laborer. Edward Thomas Burke was born at 3 Bonham St on 23 Oct 1910. 

26 Feb 1943  Christina C Burke (Presser, 172 Clonmacnoise Rd Crumlin) m. Peter Michael Farrell (Breadvan Driver, 24 St Michaels Rd LONGFORD) at St Agnes Church WIT May Burke & Pierce Burke FATHER Joseph Burke Corporation Worker

6 Aug 1944  Pierce Joseph Burke (Pork Butcher, 172 Clonmacnoise Rd Crumlin) m. Ellen Dolan (73 Dolphin Road, Nth Crumlin) at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church WIT Maureen Dolan & Edward Burke FATHER Joseph Burke Laborer

9 October 1945 Mary 'May' Burke married Gabriel H Colgan (1919-1987) sailor (Haybrooke II ,Orkney Islands) at the Church of St Agnes, Crumlin WIT James Colgan & Ellen C Burke FATHER Joseph Burke Municipal Worker

Joseph Burke died at home in Crumlin of cardiac failure on Nov 21, 1954, age 70, with his daughter Mary Colgan present at death.

His wife Ellen (nee Walsh) Burke survived him by 2 years. She died on 9 December 1956, age 74, at St James Hospital (then St Kevin's Hospital, cause: bronchopneumonia uremia diverticulitis).

The family home in Crumlin was inherited by their daughter May Colgan (1908-1996).