Jim C99
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 7
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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I live in the UK and am researching my ancestors who lived in County Donegal in the mid 1800's.
My Great Grandfather was William Irwin who farmed at Drumboy. He is shown on Griffith Valuation. I believe he was born in 1841 or 1842. He is also shown on the Census of 1901 & 1911.
He had a brother James who lived at Killea, Co Donegal, and he died 20 Jan 1872. I have seen this on the online Wills Calendar at PRONI Ref 13577. James is also shown on Griffith Valuation.
Their father (my Great Great Grandfather) was Cornelius Irwin. Unfortunately all attempts to trace him have failed. The only Cornelius Irwin I can find that might be the right age was living in Ayer Street, Galway Town. He is shown on Griffith Valuation.
However, it seems strange that Cornelius would live in Galway and two of his sons were farming in Donegal. I therefore have no reason to suspect that the Cornelius in Galway is related to me.
It is possible that Cornelius died before Griffith and that would explain why I can't find him.
Irwin is sometimes spelt Irwine, Erwin, Erwine or Irvine etc.
Is anyone able to help?
Jim C99
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« Last Edit: Tuesday 30 December 08 23:00 UTC (UK) by aghadowey »
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aghadowey
Global Moderator
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Posts: 13617
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Welcome to Rootschat. Griffith's Valuation only lists the head of the household and if William Irwin was born c1841 I would be doubtful that he'd be listed there. Also, unlikely, but not impossible, that his brother was also listed in Griffith's in another townland.
You've found your William Irwin in the 1901 and 1911 census which is good. Have you found a record of his marriage yet? It should list his father's name and occupation as well as William's residence at the time of his marriage.
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Jim C99
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 7
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Hi aghadowey,
Thank you for your post.
I have a transcribed copy of William's marriage certificate to my gr grandmother. The marriage took place in Donemana Co Tyrone on 25th November 1869. The certificate gives William's father (Cornelius) as being a Farmer and William's residence is given as Drumbeg. However, I think this is a transcribing error and should be Drumboy, Co Donegal, where William was farming as shown in the Census of 1901 & 1911.
There is a William Irwin farming at Drumboy in Griffith on the same plot of land as the family home which I have visited. So I'm fairly sure it's the same William though you seem doubtful. What other explanation could there be?
As I mentioned William's brother James died at Killea which is also only a few miles away and he is also listed in Griffith at Killea. Unfortunately I don't have any further information on James who was a batchelor, but it is Cornelius that I'm really interested in tracking down.
Regards
Jim C99
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kingskerswell
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1101
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Jim,
you probably already have this but the IGI lists the following
Cornelius Irwin b, Galway, Galway 6 Jun 1876
Father Cornelius Irwin
Mother Mary Cavanagh
Regards
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Stewart, Irwin, Morrison, Haslett, Murrell - Co. Londonderry
Browne, Barrett -Co.Armagh
Neil, Smyth _Co. Antrim
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Jim C99
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 7
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi Kingskerswell,
Thanks for the posting. Yes I have seen the IGI you mention.
I would expect a 'Farmer' to be living adjacent to his farm land and probably not in Eyer Street in the middle of Galway Town. I don't think the IGI you mention gives the profession of Cornelius (the father) though I have seen it somewhere that he was a Drover. This would mean that he could quite easily have travelled to Co Donegal and Tyrone but I really don't know if this is the one I am looking for.
If Aghadowey is right (which is quite possible) and William had other family living in East Donegal, that would tend to reinforce my view that Cornelius will be found farming there, rather than elsewhere. But you never know! Surely there must be a record of him somewhere?
Regards
Jim.
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Jim C99
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 7
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi Aghadowey,
Thank you for your clarification of the entry for William in Griffith - you are quite correct it could be a relative of his.
I have now established that William was born on 24th December 1840, which would make him just over 18 when Griffith was compiled in 1858. So it may not be the same William and unfortunately I can't see anyway of finding out if it is or not.
The other explanation is that Cornelius was deceased shortly before and William and James (I don't have any age for James) both inherited parts of Cornelius's farm.
In either event (ie other family in the area or that he was deceased) it seems likely that Cornelius was from the Drumboy or Altaghaderry areas.
Do you have any suggestions on records that I should search to verify either event?
Do you know if the LDS have any parish records on film for these parishes?
Regards
Jim.
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aghadowey
Global Moderator
RootsChat Marquessate
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You can check LDS catalogue online at www.familysearch.org. Click link to library catalogue and do search for parish (under place).
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Jim C99
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 7
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi Aghadowey,
Thanks very much for the information on familysearch. I had seen this program at the LDS but did not realise I could brows it at home. Being able to do this will be a great help to me.
Unfortunately, having looked at it, all the LDS Parish records available on film seem to be much later than the ones I would need. So I'm still looking.
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aghadowey
Global Moderator
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 13617
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It may be that earlier church records don't exist or that LDs were not given permission to film them. Perhaps someone will be familiar with the area and be able to suggest alternatives.
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Jim C99
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 7
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi Aghadowey,
Right. Thank you for your help. I will have to do as you suggest unless someone reading this has further information.
Jim C99
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Jim C99
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 7
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi Aghadowey,
A Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to you!
As you know I have been working with a transcribed copy of my gr grandfather's wedding certificate and as a result searching for my gr gr grandfather as Cornelius Irwin or Irwine.
I knew that there was at least one transcription error on the copy that I had, so I sent off for a copy of the original which was held in the Strabane Registrar's Office. I got the "Certified" copy today.
It shows that my gr gr grandfather was a William Irwine like his son and not Cornelius after all!!!!!!!!!!!!
This means that all the searches and investigations that I have carried out aver the last 12 months have been a complete waste of time.
However, it also means that you can take my posting for Cornelius Irwin off the website or close the subject or whatever needs to be done.
I would like to thank you for your questioning which William Irwin was it that was in Griffith which really triggered my request for the "Certified" copy.
Best regards
Jim C99
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aghadowey
Global Moderator
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 13617
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Sorry to hear you've been chasing the wrong name all this time but at least the certified copy has confirmed the father's name for you. Will mark this post closed for you. Best wishes, aghadowey
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