Riley/Bowen

[patvp1]

This is my first foray into Irish records, so am not sure what I am doing  .

Bernard Riley birth about 1791 Died 1868 Ardsley W.Yorkshire.
Mary Bowen birth abt 1799 died Ardsley 1869.

Their first child was born in 1826 in West Yorkshire, so assume they were married prior to this.

From various sources we have for Bernard, Courtmatrix, Limerick or Galway.
for Mary possibly Galway.

This is all the info I have and really do not know where to start 

I suppose a marriage would be a start, but when and where 

All help appreciated, as I am in Australia records are a bit difficuly.

Thanks in anticipation...Patvp

[Elwyn Soutter]

Courtmatrix is a townland in Co. Limerick. In the 1901 census (the oldest surviving complete Irish census) there were 22 households in it. None named Riley unfortunately.

www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Limerick/Ballyallinan/Courtmatrix__part_of_Rural_/

[patvp1]

Thank you for the reply Elwyn, but as Bernard died in 1868 doubt that it would apply.
What I am really after is where to start this investigation ?? possibly a marriage ?? and how and where do I go for this..maybe I should start with Galway..looking for a marriage, maybe..am totally flummoxed.
Someone please point me in the right direction.

Regards patvp

[shanew147]

Full civil registration started in 1864 and for earlier records you will need to check what parish records might be available. To do this you first need to know the family religion and also where they lived - i.e. town, townland or parish .

see:

 Introduction to Irish Records
 My Ancestor came from Ireland - where do I start?   


Shane

[agho]

If you look at Griffiths Valuation, a land survey that lists the heads of household in Ireland in the mid 1800s, there are Bowens in Courtmatrix, Rathkeale, Limerick. The index is on this site:
http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/limerick/rathkeale.php

Griffith's is available in more detail on www.askaboutireland.ie

There doesn't appear to be any Riley/Reilly in Courtmatrix (there is a Ridley?) but there's a Riley in the townland of Drinaun, Galway.

[agho]

Just had a look at the 1861 UK census & Bernard says he was born in Galway.

[gerbo21]

Hi all, I am new to the forum and I,m just feeling my way around the site. I to am doing a bit of reserch into the Bowen family and i am also from Galway. So if i can be of any help or vice-verca