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Andrew Coyle b.1831, departed Rathmullan for Canada (St. John, NB) 1847

 

 

Hello and I'm hoping anyone out there might be able to help me break through a brick wall that has stymied me for quite some time. 

My 2X GG father was Andrew Coyle, b. 1831, sailed from Londonderry to St. John NB alone without any other Coyles in 1847. He lists his home variously as Ramullan and Donegal. My extensive research, including geo-locating Coyles from tithes etc, has revealed no real clues as to his parentage. He was RC, his children's names (born in Canada, by birth order) were James, John, George Daniel, Mary Ellen, and Andrew Joseph. His Canadian marriage record does not indicate the names of his parents. I am wondering if anyone has a clue that can lead me beyond the brick wall; I don't know if he had a birth record that would have survived. 

Warm thanks from Canada, Anne Coyle Melanson

Anne Melanson

6 replies

Anne:

Likely Andrew was from Rathmullan town in Killygarvan civil parish which is located on the Fanad Peninsula   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rathmullan .

RC records for Killygarvan parish start too late 1868

The 1857 Griffiths Valuation for Killygarvan civil parish shows a few Coyles including a James Coyle in Rathmullan. Since Andrew's oldest son was James possibly the James in the Griffiths is the father of Andrew.

https://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/donegal/killygarvan.htm

1834 Tithe listing for Killygarvan civil parish shows there were a number 

http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/results.jsp?…

Let me know if you have any questions. Have you tested your DNA?

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

 

 

Thank you Roger! I'm so thrilled to get such a prompt response :-) Yes I geo-located from 1825 tithes, 1834 tithes and 1870 directory (even though Andrew was gone by then.) Also reviewed the workhouse records for 1847-48 thinking that Andrew may have left because his guardian/parents went into the workhouse. In the workhouse were John (then 54) Paddy (then 55) Daniel (then 60) James (then 52) charles (then 70). I also noted that from FAAN right across the water from Rathmullen were Hugh (then 45) and John Jr (then circa 40) in the workhouse.  

Based on 1870 directory a James ended up residing in a hotel in Ramelton from 1863 onward and a Mary resided on Church St in Ramelton. They appear to have perhaps been publicans also running post. A Charles (presumablly Jr) ended up a physician in Kilmacrennan. I have had my DNA done and uploaded to Ancestry, MyHeritage and also GedMatch but have come up dry in that regard, there's irish on both sides of my father's maternal and paternal lines so I'm having a great deal of difficuly making sense of the 5th-8th cousin Coyle connections in that context, and haven't found any evidence that a DNA connection has made back further than 1850 with anything definitive that would help with my mystery. 

Truly, much appreciated, and if you have any further wisdom, even relating to the dna aspect, I'm most grateful for it. Cheers, Anne

PS given that Andrew was 16 at the time of emmigration, is there any chance that he would have been employed somewhere in Rathmullan? On arrival in Canada he was a tin smith. 

 

 

Anne Melanson

Anne:

Andrew very possibly was an apprentice tinsmith in Rathmullan.

Looks like you have done all the right steps with DNA. I'm also on the same sites you mention plus FamilyTree DNA. My biggest frustration is that less than 1/2 the people you contact never respond.

All the best with your research!

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

 

Roger you and I are sharing the same experience in contacting people via the DNA apps, lol. I don't know if there was industry in Rathmullan at the time that would fit training a tin smith, there's another rabbit hole for me to dive into for sure. I'm still a bit stymied as to whether Andrew would have noted "Ramullan" as his home because it was the town proper, or the townlands in the area.  I'm trying to deduce Coyles of that area that would have passed away, been incarcerated or entered the workhouses, thus prompting his departure. 

Thanks very much for your reply, I love that the liaison on this site are all such dedicated volunteers. Cheers from here, Anne

 

 

Anne Melanson

Anne:

In their new country, emigrants usually indicated they came from the nearest big town/village rather than their townland. In Andrew's case, he may have been in the town if James was his father.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

 

That is super helpful, thanks Roger!

I have gone back over all the records of Coyles in SJ at that time, there is a James in that group, I'm still at it. :-) 

Anne Melanson

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