I have a general question about the emigration process that I hope someone can answer. Once a family knew they leaving Ireland for Canada or the USA, what was the process? If they were poor tenant farmers or living in a poor house would there have been a "paper trail" and what would that have been? I have been told that sometimes the port of departure depended on the next available ship, not always the closest one to where they resided! My search of ship passenger lists has not yielded any clues. I have been doing family research for some time and any reference to where my McGee ancestors lived in Ireland usually indicates Fermanagh County as the county of residence prior to emigration between 1842-45, most likely thru Canada. I have never been able to pin down exactly where they were living in Fermanagh county. Some info even indicates Cavan, the bordering county, as possible birthplace for some of the children. Wife is Mary McClune, daughters are Ann, (Mary) Ellen, Catherine, Alice, sons are Owen and William. Another name that pops up is Cormack or Cormick. Never really sure if he was a son or a brother based on his date of birth. Tithe Applotment Books 1823-37 do not show any William MCGee in Fermanagh, Cavan, Armagh or Monaghan county. However, Donegal county has a Cormick and several William McGees! By the way, there is a Magee family in Fermanagh but I don't have any indication that my family ever spelled their name that way. I guess one of my biggest frustrations is that I can't find that "link" that shows me I am looking in the right place! Based on this new information, I think I should be searching in Donegal but don't want to start of on another wild goose chase. Any help from any members is appreciated! THANKS!
