Hi Elizabeth.
These are records of both families from the Maughold parish register, some of which might help?
Maughold burials:
John BRENNAN 53 yrs (Roman Catholic) Ramsey 27 Oct 1885.
Elizabeth BRENNAN 67 yrs. Ramsey 3 Jul 1902.
Mary BRANNAN 1yr 11m, King St, Ramsey Feb 20 1866.
Mary BRANNAN 1, according to the rites of the Romish Church Ramsey, Jan 25 1871.
James Francis PURCELL 3 mths. (Roman Catholic) St. Judes, Andreas 9 Aug 1887.
John PURCELL 70 yrs. Ramsey 8 Mar 1893.
Catherine PURCELL 56 yrs. Ramsey 25 Jun 1912.
James Patrick PURCELL 84, Certified under Burials Act 1881 by J J Aitkin Central Hotel, Ramsey 17 Jun 1940.
James Patrick PURCELL 66 years, Registered under Burials Act 1881 by Joseph Turner, 13 Lezayre Road 10 May 1955
Alfred Rendall PURCELL 64 years 9 May Hill, Ramsey 14 Apr 1958.
Minnie PURCELL 67 years, Buried under Act of 1881, Sunnyside, Mayhill, Ramsey 27 Nov 1961.
Etna Gwendoline PURCELL 65 years, Registered under Burials Act 1881, by F Woods 13 Lezayre Road 16 Apr 1962.
Joseph Francis PURCELL 76 years 1 Ellesmere Terrace, Thorny Road, Douglas 17 Oct 1968.
Marriages:
22 Nov 1904 William McKNIGHT 39 Widower Mariner Ramsey [father] William McKnight (dec), Butcher, and
Catherine WALTON 38 Widow Ramsey [father] John Brennan (dec), Blacksmith
27 Nov 1870 John Evan KILLEY Full age Bachelor Mariner Maughold John Killey, Mariner, and
Lucy PURCELL Full age Spinster Lezayre James Purcell, Mariner.
Other marriages and baptisms could be in Ramsey or Dissenter records.
Brian Lawson's indexes include these Dissenter Baptisms (1817-1849) from LDS film 0106721:
Date / Name / Parents / Reference ;
2 Jun 1833 BRANNAN, Elizabeth John BRANNAN/Ellen HOLLINSWORTH R 15
20 Mar 1831 BRANNAN, John James BRANNAN/Mary JOHNSON R 12
27 Feb 1831 BRANNAN, Judith John BRANNAN/Ellen HOLLINSWORTH R 12
20 Dec 1829 BRANNAN, Sarah John BRANNAN/Ellen HOLLINSWORTH R 9
[R = RC Church].
In the 1891 census Jas P Purcell was aged 34, Hotel Keeper (at the Central Hotel, Ramsey), born Birkenhead, England. His wife Cath aged 32 was b. Bellich Ireland. Their three children Jas P Son aged 2, Jno L Son aged 1, and Mary H Daughter 7 mths? (line through it – could be wks), were all b.Ramsey, Isle of Man.
James’s sister Lizzie Brannan aged 18, Barmaid, b.Ramsey (dittos from the children above, so could just be sloppy recording, but "Sister" was clearly written).
The 1881 census which Frances referred to, at 2 Workmans Hall Lezayre, has John Brannan aged 42, Blacksmith b.Ireland, his wife Elizabeth aged 40 b.Cheshire, son James 21 Brewery Traveller b.Cheshire, daur Annie aged 15 scholar b.Cheshire, and daur Elizabeth 9 scholar b.Ramsey IOM. This place of birth looks right to me, because no dittos.
But I can’t see how these two Elizabeth/Lizzies could be the same person and “sister” of James Purcell!
James Patrick PURCELL is clearly the person being buried in Maughold in 1940, wife Cath buried 1912, and his son James Patrick Purcell buried 1955 aged 66. James Patrick senior’s will could help you? Too late for Brian L’s index, but see www.gov.im/registries/General/Deeds_Probate/probate_registry.xml
Lizzie's father John Brannan/Brennan died in 1885 when she was only 12, and perhaps she went to live with the Purcell family?
The 1891 census has:
Lezayre Terrace, Lezayre Road, Lezayre, Ramsey
BRANNAN, Elizabeth Head Widow F 54 1837 b. Liverpool, England
BRANNAN, Annie Daughter Single F 26 1865 b. Birkenhead, England
LOSEBY, Sarah B Daughter Married F 24 1867 b.Ramsey, Isle of Man
LOSEBY, Edgar Grandson Single M 0 (9M) 1891 b. Ramsey, Isle of Man
Piece: 4685 Folio: 25 Page: 4 Registration District: Isle of Man
It appears that they moved from Birkenhead to the IoM between 1865 & 1867.
The other daughter of John Brennan, Catherine (her marriage above) gives her age as being the same as Annie’s in 1911 [From Findmypast]:
MCKNIGHT, Catherine Head Married 6 years F 46 1865 Birkenhead Resident
WALLER, John Son Single M 22 1889 Postman Liverpool Resident
WALLER, Theresa Daughter Single F 18 1893 Isle of Man Ramsey
MCKNIGHT, Edward Stepson Single M 19 1892 Shoemakers Apprentice Isle of Man Ramsey
MCKNIGHT, Gertrude Stepdaughter Single F 13 1898 School Isle of Man Ramsey
KNEEN, Eva Niece F 4 1907 Isle of Man Douglas
RG number: RG14 Piece: 34656
Reference: RG14PN34656 RD635 SD3 ED18/3 SN162
Registration District: Isle of Man
Enumeration District: 18/3
Parish: Maughold
Address: West Quay Ramsey Isle of Man
County: Isle of Man
“WALLER” (as written) should have been WALTON as given in the marriage transcript, above. In 1901 Cath was at The Church Institute, Patrick with husband Joseph Walton aged 36 Horseman on Farm b.Lonan. She was aged 34 b. Malew (strangely). Meant Maughold (Ramsey)?
Sue