The Bridget Cleary Murder
or where fairies, family history, and court records collide
Have you heard of Bridget Cleary?
At 18, young Bridget married a cooper named Michael Cleary – and that is where the tale of Bridge Cleary begins.
Bridget was the most sought-after marriage prospect in her Irish village. She was "...intelligent, beautiful, and independent." She was educated and worked as a dressmaker and a miller.
Married around 1887, Bridget and Michael Cleary were the talk of the town. The Clearys were relatively well off compared to their neighbors and lived in a cottage with glass windows and a slate roof. Another thing that set them apart from their neighbors was that after eight years of marriage, they had no children, and Bridget was still fiercely independent, which was unusual for a couple then.
But everything changed in March of 1895. Twenty-six-year-old Bridget Cleary fell ill. First, she couldn't get warm after delivering eggs that day. Then, that turned to a chill, so Bridget put herself to bed, where she shivered and complained about a severe headache.
For the next nine days, Bridget was miserable and in bed.
Her husband, Michael, is said to have gone to fetch the doctor twice during this period, but it wasn't until the third attempt the doctor arrived at their cottage.
Upon examining Bridget, the doctor diagnosed her with bronchitis, left her medicine, and promised to return in two days.
But then… Bridget mysteriously disappeared.
A few days after her disappearance, a burnt body was found in the woods not far from where the Cleary family lived. Though Michael Cleary denied knowing anything, it quickly became clear that the body was that of the missing Bridget Cleary.
Regardless of what Michael Cleary, Patrick Boland, or any other member of Bridget Cleary's family claimed, on 15 March 1895, Michael Cleary killed his wife. He insisted she was not who she said she was and, instead, a fairy imposter. He buried her body in a shallow grave and claimed that the real Bridget would soon return on a white horse. Bridget was not dead but kidnapped by the fae, and she would return to him in her human form.
The Role of Fairy Folklore
Much like the Great Vampire Panic in New England, the Bridget Cleary Murder provides a stark example of how deeply ingrained fairy beliefs were in Irish culture, even as the country was on the cusp of the 20th century.
At the time of Bridget's murder, local beliefs include the idea that changelings existed fairies could abduct humans, especially women and children, replacing them with a fairy substitute. They were weary of Fairy Forts, or ancient circular structures believed to be entrances to the fairy were hidden in the woods near their homes, and that handed down cures and rituals were the only things that would work to ward off fae folk or reverse fairy enchantments.
While most Irish people didn't take these beliefs to the extreme that Michael Cleary had, the Murder of Bridget Cleary shows how folklore could sometimes lead to tragic consequences in Ireland, in the same way, the Great New England Vampire Panic proved deadly in the US.
Using Court Records for Family History Research
When you begin researching your family history, I doubt you initially considered the idea that one of your ancestors may have ended up in court. Yet, you never know where your research will take you, and that may be exactly where it leads.
When researching the Bridget Cleary murder, I quickly found that the trial generated extensive court records. These records of Michael Cleary's trial serve as a valuable resource for historians and genealogists alike. They not only tell us a version of what happened that fateful day in 1895, but they also provide us with useful facts that will help to further my research.
By implementing court records into your family history research, you can open new doors that will lead you toward more information about your ancestors than you have ever found elsewhere.
Here's how you can use similar court records to learn more about your ancestors:
Identify Relevant Cases: Research local newspapers or family lore for mentions of legal proceedings involving your ancestors. Newspapers list court cases, arrests, and so much more. They are a vital resource for family history research.
Locate the Records: Court records are typically held in local, state, or national archives. Many are now digitized and available online but always remember that only around 30% of all documents are online. If you can visit your local archive, you can discover documents that may not exist in the digital world.
Understand the Context: Familiarize yourself with the legal system of the time and place to better interpret the records. Don't base your judgments on modern-day laws or ideas. Presentism and bias will only hold your research back!
Extract Key Information: Court records can provide information you may be missing, like names, ages, and family members' relationships. However, they may also include occupations and social status, places of residence, and details about daily life and community dynamics. This information is important to help you shape a better 3D image of your ancestors and the world they lived in.
Cross-Reference: Cross-referencing is everything!! Use the information found in court records to guide further research in census data, church records, and other historical documents. The more proof you find, the better your chances of picking out relatives from the vast sea of humans who came before us.
Analyze with Care: Remember that court records often capture people at their worst moments. Balance this information with other sources to fully understand your ancestors' lives. People change throughout their lives. It's best to keep an open mind about your ancestors and not make assumptions. Assumptions tend to lead to misinformation.
The Bridget Cleary Murder is another moment in history that serves as a haunting reminder of how beliefs and superstitions can lead to tragedy. Yet, it also illustrates the wealth of historical and genealogical information that can be gleaned from court records. So, even if you do not have a sensational trial that revolves around a murder, court records also document more mundane legal matters as well. These documents can offer invaluable insights into their lives and their world.
As you dig through your family history, remember to approach these records with empathy and an open mind. The past is often more complex and nuanced than it first appears, and each document tells a part of your family's unique story.
Wow, what a story and so excellently woven together with the prevailing beliefs of the time. A great read.
This was such a tragic story. This piece was full of valuable insight I will take to heart. "As you dig through your family history, remember to approach these records with empathy and an open mind. The past is often more complex and nuanced than it first appear."