Advice with researching Irish ancestors

[rjb1984]

Hi,

I've been researching my family tree for the last few years and have now started with my wife's tree. Her English side I've had no issues with but her Irish side is a completely new arena for me.

I'm looking for some advice and hints in where to start! I've asked my mother in law about her side of the family and have the names of her grandparents as well as where they were born and a rough year of birth.

To add confusion to the matter, her father changed his surname when he moved to England from O'Rhian (I'm told this is the spelling...) to O'Ryan.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Rich

[aghadowey]

Latest available Irish census is 1911 (1901 also available) so if you can get back to those you will hopefully be able to find more information.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/

[taramcdsmall]

Hi Rich

Can you give us names, dates and places to see if we can help ?

Tara

[rjb1984]

Unfortunately the 1911 census won't be any help yet.

So far this is what is known -

My grandmother in-law, Helen Dunne Born 1940's in Limerick. Married James Francis Ryan in Hammersmith the 1960's. Helen is still alive but she has trouble remembering the finer details.

Helen's parents names are Patrick Dunne, born about 1915 in Limerick. The year of death isn't known, they believe it was before 1984. He died in Limerick. He married a Mary Sullivan, born 1921 in Limerick. Died 2004 in Limerick. Patrick and Mary were dairy farmers in Limerick. Family 'lore' suggests that they owned a dairy.

James' parents names Patrick O'Rhian, born about 1920 in Tipperary. He is dead but the year of death is not known. He died in Cork. He married a woman called Mary, born about 1910 (maiden name not known) also from Tipperary.

Apparently the name change from O'Rhian to O'Ryan/Ryan was to appear to sound more English. James studied at university and his degree is named to James Francis O'Ryan.

Thanks

Rich

[annclare]

Marriage entry on the civil reg index for a Patrick Dunne in Croom Registration District (Croom is one of the Limerick County reg. districts) with a possible match for a Mary Sullivan that looks early 1940's Quarter Jul Sep and vol 5 page 169
The civil birth index on family search shows Dunne children with mother Sullivan/OSullivan in Croom reg. district one being Ellen Dunne b. 1940's Croom vol 5 page 163 - possibly your Helen.
See Link
http://tinyurl.com/pqmflrc
Certs can be got from www.groireland.ie by downloading an application form and posting to address given. - A "research copy" or photocopy of the entry cost €4 and gives same info as full cert.
Hope this is of some help
annclare 

[eadaoin]

Apparently the name change from O'Rhian to O'Ryan/Ryan was to appear to sound more English. James studied at university and his degree is named to James Francis O'Ryan.

there won't be a "h" in the Irish language version ...
it'll be Ó Riain or similar.

regards eadaoin