Back to Message Board

Fitzsimmons - and alternative spellings

Limerick

Tracing a Fitzsimmons, born about 1860, as coming fromMount Pleasant, Askeaton.

Research today shows MountPleasant country farmhouse built c. 1760, National Inventory od Architectural Heritage, being in townland named MOUNTPLEASANT, yet there is notownlandlisted in Griffiths Valuation with that name. Using theHistoric Environment Viewerto locate this townland and farmhouseI can see it is about 12 km NE of Askeaton straight line, actually closer to Limerick City than Askeaton.

Next I tried Griffiths valuation for 'Mount Pleasant' townland and occupier 'Fitzsimmons' without success. Hence, I am really lost and confused.

Does anyone know of a Fitzsimmons family in or around Askeaton circa 1860?

Thank you

Eire2Go

Eire2Go

5 replies

Eire2Go:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

Mountpleasant is a townland in Ardcanny civil parish in north Limerick. Her is a link to the 1850 Griffiths Valuation head of household lisiting for Ardcanny civil parish  http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/limerick/ardcanny.htm ;   There is no Fitzsimmons listed. There is a Honoria Fitzgerald, Thomas Hill Esq. and John, Maurice and Patrick Ronan.

Maybe the Fitzsimmons' arrived later than 1850.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you Roger. My research into Mt. Pleasant yield zero as well. Perhaps the reference was to Mt Pleasant (ave / street /road) in Limerick City.   Also the link in your  http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/limerick/ardcanny.htm  fails with a Page Not Found.  Is there another way to Griffiths Valn?

Last year I did observe in Askeaton a business name Fitzsimons, mechanic. So some form of the name may be local to Askeaton area.

No leads yet, so pray for DNA!

Yours,

Eire2Go 

Eire2Go

I have read that Griffiths Valuation recorded names of Lessor and Lessees, therefore any laborer, carter, shop-keeper, blacksmith, apothecary or other professional would not appear if she/he owned land outright.  

Was it the case that all of Ireland was 'owned' by the English?  Or, alternatively, native Irish people were not allowed freehold title, under imposed British Law?

I have been told that various 'business directories' of foregone years are available.  If so, where might these be located?

Thank you

Eire2Go

Eire@Go:

I've been away for a week and just getting to your comment. I would agree that laborers and carters would not show up on the Griffiths but I believe "townies" who leased property for their shop or professional endeavor would likely be in the Griffiths.

One of our volunteers, Shane Wilson, has a great web site with maps and directories  https://www.swilson.info ; You can e-mail Shane and I'm sure he can answer your questions sbout directories.

All the best!

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Reply

Reply
One image file up to 2 MB.