Sarah (“Sally”) Canavan

The Baptismal Register of St. Catherine's, Meath Street, Dublin, records the baptism of Sarah Coffey, daughter of "Wm Coffey and Rose Knowles" on 9 April 1844. The Sponsor was Eliza Kenny

Sarah was known as 'Sally' [evidenced by memoirs of her niece, Josephine (née Sammon) Bookey. Sarah had long auburn hair, which Josephine tells us was cut off by Sarah's father as a means of trying to prevent her from going out with William Byrne, who was to become her first husband. Josephine reports that Mr Byrne's parents were tanners and owned a carriage. There was one child from this marriage, James.

Thoms's Almanac for 1862 Dublin - St. James's Street Nos. 38 and 39 Byrne, James, builder and contractor, 11l., 20l. No. 40 Coffey, William, victualler, 27l. No. 42 Byrne, Bartholomew and William, tanners, 53l. No. 42 Byrne, William John

Baptism Records of St James's RC Church record the baptism on 13 July 1862 of James Bartholomew Byrne of 42 James's St. date of Birth: 12 July 1862. Father: William Byrne Mother: Sarah Coffey Sponsor 1: Bartholomew Byrne Sponsor 2: Mary Byrne

Sarah's Second Marriage is recorded in the Irish Register of Marriages for 1869 as follows: First name(s) James Last name Canavan Registration year 1869 Registered Quarter/Year 1869 Registration district Dublin South Volume 7 Page 663

St Catherine's RC Church records the marriage of James Canavan of 18 Coles Lane and Sarah Byrne of 29 Thomas St on 6 June 1869. James Canavan's parents given as James and Eliza (deceased); Sarah Byrne's parents given as William and Rosanna Coffy [sic] of 29 Thomas St. Witnesses: Catherine McGuire, 34 Thomas Street, and Joseph Coffey, 29 Thomas Street.