WARD, Mary ^{1 3}

   Cause of her death was sub acute bronchitis over 6 days and senile decay.⁴

   Other names for Mary were KENNEDY, Mary,⁴ O'RORK, Mary,² OROURKE, Mary,³ O'ROURKE, Mary and RORK, Mary.⁵

  General Notes:

In 1881 'Mary Rork' was recorded by the census for Bothwell parish living at Bellerophon Row with her husband and four children. Two boarders also lived with the family, one of them, John Ward, had been born in Shotts parish, as had Mary, and may have been a relative, although the census does not record this. The second boarder was Francis Kenedy [sic], born in County Tyrone. In 1881 Mary's age was recorded as 28 years and a coal miner's wife.

In 1886 Mary Kennedy gave notice of the birth of her daughter Sarah Kennedy in December 1885. She gave notice before the registrar, William Potter, at Hamilton on 5 January 1886. The certificate recorded her name as ' Mary Kennedy, previously O'Rorke MS Ward'. It also recorded the date and place of her marriage to Francis Kennedy.

In the 1891 census for 24 Crofthead, Neilston, a married woman with three children was registered:
Mary O'Rourke, born Cleland, Head, Married, aged 39 years, a bleachfield worker (this Mary)
Mary O'Rourke, born Cleland, daughter, unmarried, aged 17 years, a thread worker
Margaret O'Rourke, born Clarkston, daughter, unmarried, aged 15 years, a thread worker
Henry O'Rourke, born Quarter, son, unmarried, aged 11 years, a half-time worker
Sarah Kennedy O'Rourke, born Cadzow, daughter, unmarried, aged 5 years.

In the 1901 census for Old Monkland parish Mary Ward or Orourke was listed twice under both names, living at 57 Langmuir Square Coatbridge. Described as an "annuitant", she was 50 years old and had been born in Cleland.

Mary Ward died in 1930. Her death certificate recorded her as Mary Kennedy widow of 1] Edward O'Rourke coal miner 2] Francis Kennedy coal miner. Her age at death was recorded as 79 years. Her parents were both dead. Mary's mother's first name was recorded in Mary's death certificate as Ann instead of Alice. ^{3 4 6 7}

  Medical Notes:

Michael J. Flaherty MB B Ch certified the causes of death.

Mary's son Henry O'Rourke, who had been present where the death occurred, gave notice of his mother's death before the registrar, Gregor Grant, at Coatbridge on 6 February 1930. ⁴

Mary married Edward ROURKE, son of Francis ROURKE (DNA Linked) and Margaret CAMPBELL (DNA Linked), on 27 May 1872 in RC Chapel, Wishaw, Lanarkshire, Scotland.¹ (Edward ROURKE was baptised on 8 February 1846 in Dungannon RC parish, County Tyrone, Ireland,⁸ died 20 December 1881 between 1.00 & 7.00 am in Opposite or Near Little Sunnyside Farm, Between Larkhall And Quarter, Lanarkshire, Scotland ⁹ and was buried in Hamilton Cemetery, Lanarkshire, Scotland. ¹⁰.). The cause of his death was exposure to extreme cold while intoxicated, and was not seen alive.⁴

  Marriage Notes:

The marriage between Edward and Mary took place after banns and according the rites and forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The celebrant was James Gilmour, Catholic priest, and the witnesses were John White and Sarah Kane, who made her X mark.

Edward Rourke, who made his X mark, worked as a coal miner. He was a bachelor of 23 years and lived in Omoa, Shotts parish.

Mary Ward was of Omoa too. She was a housekeeper aged 21 years and unmarried. Her father was deceased.

The marriage was registered at Wishaw on 29 May 1872, the registrar Thomas Steele.

Mary next married Francis KENNEDY, son of John KENNEDY and Mary HUGHES, on 13 November 1885 in Cadzow RC Chapel, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland.² (Francis KENNEDY was born in 1857 in County Tyrone, Ireland ^{2 5} and died before 5 February 1930 ^{2 4}.)

  Marriage Notes:

The marriage was celebrated after banns according to the rites and forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The celebrant was Emile de Bacher RC clergyman. The witnesses were Peter Kelly and Jane Powers, who made her X mark.

Francis Kennedy, who made his X mark, was a single man aged 27 years. He worked as a coal miner and resided at 12 McCreath Street Cadzow. His father was deceased.

Mary O'Rork was aged 31 years and of the same address. She was a widow. Both of her parents were deceased.

The marriage was registered at Hamilton on 16 November 1885, William Potter registrar. ²