O'Rorke, O'Rourke, Rourke, Rorke, Uí Ruairc of Galway.

[finglaspete]

My Great grandfather Thomas O'Rorke was born somewhere in County Galway around 1845, I have hit the proverbial genealogical brick wall, after years of attacking, I have to put my hands up, and maybe one of you can help me.
As I said, that is it, he was born in County Galway, his fathers name was James, this says it on the Marriage certificate of Thomas when he married in 1876. He was in the RIC and travelled a lot around the southern counties, I know this, but I would really love to know is just where he was born and what his mothers maiden name was.
I have looked through a number of baptismal certs in the area, though I know someone on here will have an answer, I have helped many here over the years, and have been helped too, so here I am again.
Thank you in advance for any help you can give me,
All the best in family history
Pete

[Milliepede]

Have you got him on any census?  Is birthplace different on any of them or just Ireland.

[finglaspete]

Just a small footnote to my last, Thomas was very enthusiastic about the Irish language, and filled out his census forms in Irish himself, being a sargeant in the RIC, it is rare to see forms filled out in Irish in the 1901 and 1911 censii, and he was one of them. I am ultimately also looking for a connection to Reverend John O'Rorke, because my mother and her sisters insisted that they descended from the more imprtant Breffni O'Rorke family, all very proud very Irish etc.

[finglaspete]

Hi Milliepede
Yes he was down in Bagenalstown as a retired RIC sargeant, and he states in his own pen as Gaelge that he is from County Galway.
Please take a look, it is mightily unusual during British rule.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai001660873/
Hope you can help me
Pete

[hallmark]

http://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/roscommon/military.htm   ?

http://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/galway/military.htm   ?

[finglaspete]

Thanks Hallmark
I took a look, though because he was born in 1845ish he wouldn't have gone into the force until about 1865ish, I remember seeing his record some years ago, and it said he was from Galway, but single, not much to go on there,
I just turned my paperwork upside down and found that he joined in Roscommon, though he was from Galway. he was appointed in 1866 aged 21, he was recommended by his parish priest a Fr P A O'Connor? Mean anything to anyone?
Pete

[aghadowey]

Then is what you posted previously all incorrect?

hi there
My great grandfather Thomas O'rorke was baptised in dunmore, near tuam 22/12/1844, his father was michael and mother margaret mcdermott, I would be very interested to hear if there is anyone else who has this in common, I would like to know if he is also related to the O'rorkes in Moylough, five miles away, or the O'Rorkes in Manorhamilton.
I know there is a line going back of the breffni o'rorkes for many centuries, but i just cannot get a connection. Can you help?
He became a policeman and moved around the southeast of ireland in his career. ending up in Bagenalstown, carlow, where i think h is buried.

all the best
pete

[finglaspete]

Hi Aghadowney
Yes, that was seven years ago, I have learnt so much about Genealogy since, and was probably clutching at straws back then looking for a fast solution, when now I am looking more methodically, and that is why I come back with this fresh approach
But yes, thank you for pointing that out, I thought that had gone down the plughole and disappeared, anyway it never got any replies, probably due to my lack of knowledge, and seven years later, still no better off.
Anyway Aghadowney my friend, can you help me out today?
Pete

[hallmark]

Not sure what the enrolment age was back then... but see you have a Year!