Matthew Fortescue

[shanew147]

Stephenstown is in the Civil parish of Louth, which was based in the town of the same name, and about 7km to the west of Stephenstown. Records for this parish only seem to have survived from the 1880s (available in the same locations as the Dundalk records) Dundalk town is about the same distance from Stephenstown and to the north east, so might be worth checking, especially as a family member was buried there.

Stephenstown is included in the Ardee/Louth section on directories - Slater's 1846. There are a few Fortescue surname entries listed in the area which may account for the unusual middle name for Matthew. Could it be  his mothers maiden name ?

Ardee/Louth Page 1  Page 2

Slater's 1870 lists two Fortescues in the area, with one in Stephenstown, so possibly close to where your Woods family were located :

  Colonel Fortescue, Stephenstown
  Right Hon. Samuel Parkinson Fortescue M.P., Red House


Shane

[diplodicus]

I found the library in Dundalk helpful. I had to pay a one-off charge but they then send as many extracts from their database as you need. You can either phone or email them
http://www.louthcoco.ie/Services/Library/Reference-Local-History-Library/Local-History-Sources.html

[SearchingJerry]

Wow  , that is great thank you all so very much.
I have mailed the Louth county council.


If anyone has further tips they are most welcome. But in any case these are all great leads.

Kind regards,

[moascar]

My Father was Robert Bruce Wood born 19Feb 1896 my Grandfather was Robert Bruce Wood born 3 May 1856 at Four Mills Crediton dont know date of death my great grandfather was Matthew Fortescue Wood lived at Four Mills and was an Engine driver on the North Devon and Dock railway. Does this help or can you help me further.

[SearchingJerry]

Great
In that case we are 2nd cousins once removed 
I have our history going back quite some time.
How can I contact you?

Kind regards,
Jeremy

[aghadowey]

After moascar has made a few posts you can use PM (personal message) system to exchange email addresses or other recent family details which aren't allowed to be posted here.

[SearchingJerry]

Hi Moascar

I was hoping you would reply to my private message.  I have just learnt that everyone must make 3 posts before one can use the private message system.
I would love to be in contact with you. If you post twice to this message, i think we should then be able to contact each other privately.

All the very best cousin
SearchingJerry

[brunosean]

Hi
There is a very impressive photographic tour of the abandoned Stephenstown House on www.abandonedireland.com    .I remember Stephenstown and an old Ms Fortescue,and her Sister, being there in the 60s. Also there was a relative, Major Digby Hamilton in residence there ,early sixties.
Many of the Fortescues are interred behind the Church at Heynestown ,Co Louth, near Dundalk.
Their graves are quite conspicuous by their ornate design and size.
As far as I can remember their surnames sometimes were Pyke - Fortescue.
Brunosean

[moascar]

hi jerry

yes we can exchange messages, about matthew fortescue wood, but you will have to help me with what have to do I'm a bit of a plonker on the machine