Michael Higgins and Mary Comber

[grumpier]

I am trying to find the birth records for these two people who are my great grandparents.They married in Australia in Brisbane, Queensland and their marriage certificate states that they were  both born in Galway, Galway Ireland. They both came out to Australia  on the ship Duke of Devonshire in 1884.  The marriage certificate says that Michael is 39 which puts him born circa 1849, though passenger records say 1854.  His parents are listed as Terence Higgins and Sarah Kearns. Terence is listed as a farmer.  Mary is aged 22 on the marriage certificate which puts her born circa 1866 and passenger records put her being born 1864.  Her parents are listed on marriage certificate as Patrick Comber and Bridget Connor.  I have searched for these two and have not been able to find any record of their births.  I am hoping that someone may have suggestions as where to look for me.  This is my first real attempt at irish records and was hoping for a better result that I seem to be getting.

Cheers
Grumpier

[aghadowey]

Civil registration of births started in 1864 so for earlier dates you'll need to see if church records exist.

Children of Patrick Comber & Bridget Connor-
Ellen (1867) https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F5JN-JGX
Honor (1869) https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FP66-6FJ
Honoria (1870) https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FPYL-1H3
Bridget (1873) https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FRM9-J27
Anne (1875) https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FGZB-B19
Margaret (24 Apr.1877) https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FGDS-84B
Patrick (24 Apr.1877) https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FGD3-9GX
Ellen (1879) https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FGDG-W9S
Margaret (1880) https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FGNW-BRM

[aghadowey]

Possibly the correct Patrick & Bridget Comber in 1901-
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Galway/Galway_North_Urban/Bohermore__part_of/1373907

[grumpier]

Thankyou for those replies, much appreciated.  I did not know that the civil registrations only started in 1864.  Shall see if church records are online.  I live in Australia so a trip to Galway  to look for church records is a bit out of my league. And for the children of Patrick Comber and Bridget Conner I thank you again.  Every little bit of information hopefully leads to more. 

Cheers
Grumpier

[gaffy]

A search of the RootsIreland website Baptismal/Birth Records Index brings back an 1848 hit for Michael with parents Terence Higgins and Sarah Kearns.

County Galway, in the RC parish of Castlegar.

To see the actual record (possibly with baptismal / birth date and sponsor names, but probably little if anything more), is pay to view.

[taramcdsmall]

Hi There

I have some Castlegar records for you !

Judy Higgins   
Baptised 4/13/1845   
Parents Terry   Higgins   Sarah   Kerrins   
Address Well Park Galway
Godparents John Connelly, Mary Farrell

Michael Higgins   
Baptised 9/10/1848   
Parents Terry   Higgins   Sarah   Kerrins   
Address Ballybane Galway
Godparents Pat Coneely, Mary Strafford

This is Terence on the Griffiths Valuation

http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/galway/stnicholas.htm

Tara

[taramcdsmall]

Is this you too ?

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/IRL-GALWAY/2002-08/1028500747

Tara

[grumpier]

Hi, thanks again for all your replies I do appreciate the help.
I went on to the rootsireland site and found the baptism record for Michael and paid for view asI thought it was the only way that I might get this information. Thankyou Tara for the Judy Higgins one and the Griffiths valuation. As I said before all bits of information help to put together the family and confirms that I am on the right one.  The message on rootsweb is not me but as someone else seems to be chasing the family it might be worth my contacting them.   Thankyou again.

Grumpier

[taramcdsmall]

No Probs

Glad to be able to help.

As least now you have exact areas in Galway that your family originated in !

I am attaching a site for the church that Michael was baptised in !

http://www.castlegar-galway.com/castlegar-church

Tara