Rahever, Co Cavan

[Gilli48]

Hi all, I am hoping for help.  I was recently very lucky to find my 3xGreat Grandparents Thomas & Jane Gillick with their 2 small sons, Laurence & James, living in Rahever, Cavan. 

I am stuck as to where the nearest RC Church would be.  I think that now it might be Ballinacree which is joined to Mountnugent.  However, I wonder whether this Church would be around in 1821.

I would be grateful for any assistance.  Thanks, Ann-Marie

[aghadowey]

This map with links to available records might help-
http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/browse/counties/rcmaps/cavanrc.htm

[gaffy]

I am stuck as to where the nearest RC Church would be.  I think that now it might be Ballinacree which is joined to Mountnugent.  However, I wonder whether this Church would be around in 1821.

It certainly looks the closest in the relevant area of the OSI 6" mapping series.

You might want to enquire of the local Historical Society:

http://homepage.eircom.net/~ballinacree/welcome-old.htm

BTW, there is a reference in this website to 3 Protestants and 74 Catholics being taught in Ballinacree chapel by Robert Fitzsimons in 1824. 

[Gilli48]

Thanks for the prompt replies to my request.  I will certainly be contacting the Ballinacree website. 

My relatives seemed to move around as Tom & Jane Cullen were married in Collinstown, Westmeath in 1812, Their children were all Baptised there even when living elsewhere eg. Rahever, Garrysallagh D'Arcy, Cavan.

I am wondering whether this would be common then.  I know because of the situation regarding religion there was a clandestine aspect to public worship.

Many thanks once again and a Happy New Year.  Ann-Marie

[aghadowey]

Employment was probably the most common reason for a labourer's family ro move from place to place and it's only about 18 miles between Collinstown (remember that most marriages would have taken place in the bride's parish) and Garrysallagh, Co. Cavan.

[Gilli48]

Thanks for that.  Tom & Jane were my 3xGreat Grandparents.  Their first born son was Laurence which begs another question.

If they were using the Irish naming pattern which they seem to have done as the second son was James called after his maternal Grandfather, would I be fairly confident that Tom's father was Laurence?   This is why I need the probable Parish Church in order to search for Tom's parents.

Thanks, Ann-Marie

[aghadowey]

Irish naming patterns are only really useful AFTER you've identified all the relatives.

[Gilli48]

Laurence/Lawrence as a name crops up in every generation from my Dads eldest brother generally as the 1st born son.  The only exception is the name Thomas born about 1787. Also his grandson Thomas.

Ann Marie