I hope to find Roman Catholic records concerning two families who lived in or near the town of New Ross in the early 1800's: Patrick Aspel, married to Anna Clooney, and Thomas Smith, married to Catherine Laracy.
Patrick Aspel (also spelled Asple and Aspell) and Anna Clooney (various spellings) lived in New Ross, County Wexford. They were likely part of the Roman Catholic parish church, St Michael's (since 1905 replaced by St. Mary's & Michaels). They had at least eight children who emigrated to America about 1850.
Thomas Smith and Catherine Laracy (Larrissey, Larisy...), lived in Ballyneale in County Kilkenny, a few miles upriver from New Ross. Catherine and three of her sons emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio and were settled there by 1860. In Cleveland, two of the Smith brothers (Thomas and Michael) married two of the Aspel sisters (Johanna and Honora).
The Aspel, Smith, and Laracy men were likely in the metalworking trades as they pursued such work in America. Perhaps they all worked in a foundry in New Ross, or nearby?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
