I am searching for information about Philip/Phillip Veitch family of Holyrood. He was one of four sons of John Veitch—the others being Monsignor William Veitch, George and John. When his father died in 1866, Philip inherited the Veitch House in Holyrood and was tasked with caring for his mother, Elizabeth, and at least one sister. He was employed as a “preventative officer” (ship/customs inspector?) in Holyrood according to the 1879 Newfoundland Almanac, St. John’s, under “Revenue Dept./Establishment” category.

He married Catherine Holden from Waterford Ireland, and they had at least four children: Margaret (b. 1880), Ronald (b. 1883 or 1884), Mary/Marie (b. 1885) and possibly a son named John who may have died in a mining accident. Marie is my maternal grandmother. Family legend says Philip died of an illness he contracted at work when Marie was quite young, and Marie and her next oldest sibling, Ron, were sent away to live with relatives in the U.S., presumably at the instigation of her paternal grandmother. Her sister later married a William King who was born at Small Point, NF.

What is strange is that I can find no records of Philip’s birth, baptism, marriage, or death. Likewise, no records of the births or baptisms of any of his children. He is mentioned in his father’s will and Monsignor Veitch’s 1916 will (“late brother”). I know his widow ,Catherine/Kate Veitch was Catholic and the children were raised Catholic. I have exhausted my resources on Ancestry.com and googling names on the internet.

If anyone can offer advice as to other resources I might pursue, I would appreciate it.