I'm looking for information on my great grandfather, Thomas McCormack, of Carrowkeel, Elphin, Co. Roscommon, Ireland.
His father, John McCormack died in 1902, when Thomas was only thirteen, leaving he and his six siblings orphaned as their mother died a few years before.They owned seven acres that their house was built on and sixteen acres of commanage. His father left no will.
There is a family story that because Thomas was only thirteen, he was not old enough to legally own the farm. It was put under the guardianship of a priest until he reached full age. However the priest died a year or two later and left the farm to his nephews as he knew Thomas still wasn't old enough to legally own the farm. So apparently the nephews tried to take over the farm for themselves but Thomas hired a solicitor and they had to go to court to decide who got the farm. It ended up going to Thomas.
I've been trying to research this recently but haven't has much luck. I'm in intetested in knowing who the priest and his nephews were. Would they have had to been relatives or could it just be the local priest? If the dispute went through the courts, surely there must be some record of it. Does anyone know where I should start looking? Is there any websites that provide court records. This incident took place between 1902 and 1911. Please message if you have any idea where I could start.
All the best
Alicia
