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Cain family of Dunhill Parish

WaterfordDunhill (Waterford)

Hello from Canada!

I married into the Cain family from PEI and was amazed when we went to visit the local parish graveyard to see one of their ancestors, William, came from Dunhill Parish and emigrated to PEI in 1829. If anyone could assist us in finding any information about him and his family, it would be much appreciated. Here's what we know from the info on the gravestone:

William Cain b. 1788 was married to Mary Walsh b. 1799

We know they arrived in PEI in 1829 and their son James died in 1847 so he must have just been born as he is listed on his gravestone as a native of Dunhill. The inscription is:

Erected
by
William Cain
In memory of his son
James Cain
Who departed this life
March 11th 1747
Aged 18 years
native of the parish
Dunhill County
Waterford Ireland

There were only four ships that came to PEI in 1829: Pandora, Benjamin Shaw, Galbraith and Baldwin.

1. Are there any records that might show what ship they took or when they departed Waterford? It's probably a long shot, but it can't hurt to ask!

2. Could there be a baptismal document for James'birth in 1829?

3. Could there be a marriage certificate or record of William and Mary's?

4. Most importantly, are there any records at all of William's ancestors? We'd love to know how far back we can tracethis Cain family in Dunhill/Waterford. He came to PEI to farm, and there are still Cains on that very same land since 1829! We're guessing he was a farmer himself or a farmhand most likely.

5. Are there any Cains still in Dunhill?

Thanks so much for any assistance,

Malachy Maguire (and Paula Cain)

IrelandXO member

2 replies

Malachy Maguire and Paula Cain:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I don't have good news for you. Presumably your Cain ancestors were RC, Unfortunately, the baptismal records for Dunhill parish start in April 1829 probably just after young William was born.  https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/1106 ; Marriage records start in 1836. I did search on Roots Ireland just to make sure the marriage and baptism did not occur in another parish but did not find a record.

The Tithe records for the civil parish of Dunhill start  are available in 1831 after the family left. By the way, no Cains but a few Keanes so it is possible that the spelling of the surname in Ireland was Keane or Kane.

The 1901 census for the Dunhill area only had one Cain (a seven year old) so likely none of your family is still there.

Sorry, I could not give you more positive news. We do have an XO Chronicles site where you can add the stories of your ancestors who left Ireland. https://www.irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/history-and-genealogy/ancestor-dat…

Let me know if you have any questions.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you so much for the information and for taking a look for us!  

IrelandXO member

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