Grier/McClay in Co Donegal

Thanks for your response!  I will have some fun with the link to the phone book.  I will try some international calls when money allows.  Susan

I am sorry that I was not more clear in my first post.  I have spent 20 years researching these Griers.  I have managed to sort out the fact that there were two Joseph Griers about the same age.  One lived in Newtontully/Tullymore and married Prudence McClay, date and place unknown.  These are my line.  The other Joseph Grier lived in Drumman/Drummond and married Jane Monro in 1825.  They lived across a tiny bridge from each other.  They both attended church at one of the three Ramelton Presbyterian churches.  It was quite the challenge to sort out their children but I did manage to do it.  I have followed most of the children to their deaths in the USA athough more from Drumman stayed in Ireland. I can give you a list if it helps.  Prudence was the youngest daughter of my line and the only one of their children to remain in Ireland.  Both of these men had sons named Joseph, mine in 1835 and the other from Drumman named Joseph George.  Just for more fun, there was another Joseph Grier who lived in Glen Lower, mostly associated with a Robert.  I do not yet know how or if the two Josephs across the bridge were related.

My Joseph was born about 1784 per his 1869 death record.  His wife Prudence McClay was born about 1794 per her death record.  The Drumman Joseph Grier's father was likely William Grier per the Tithe Applotment records where William is crossed off in one and Joseph written under it. (Joseph and Jane also named their oldest son William.)  I have found few of these books online and none like this for my Joseph.  So I am looking for his parents.  He seemed to rent quite a bit of land in Griffiths Valuation.

I found a Rebecca McClay Miller getting married for a second time in 1852 in Letterkenny to William Rae/Ray/Wray.  She was born about 1802 and her father's name was Samuel McClay.  I suspect that she may be a sister.

Joseph and Prudence named their oldest son John.  There was  John Grier in 1796 Flax Growers Record and may be the father?  Another son was named Samuel, possibly for Samuel McClay?  Samuel was present at his mother's death and then emigrated to LInn County, Iowa, USA.  It is his death record that gave me the names of his parents, his birthdate, and the name of the county in which he and his children were born., Co Donegal. (Samuel married Rebecca Campbell and all but two of their children were born in Newtontully.)

My paternal grandmother was a Greer and her grandfather was the Joseph Grier born 1835.  So sad to lose all this information in such a short time.  Let me know if there is anything else that I can tell you.

You are amazingly helpful!  Thanks again, Susan

Hello Roger,

I did find a death record for Prudence Tolland but it wasn't easy.  She predeceased her husband.  I did not find death records for her four children because they died after 1920.  That and the lack of available census records after 1911 makes it hard to find her descendants.

I have done my DNA at FTDNA and uploaded it to Gedmatch and My Heritage.  I also did it at Ancestry and am waiting for Living DNA results (supposed to be better for UK).  I have known cousin matches and am currently slogging through the 4th to 5th+ cousins but I seem to know more than anyone else and they are not very helpful.

One woman has paid for YDNA on her son who is a direct descendant of the Samuel Grier that I mentioned above.  (Samuel is a brother of my Joseph Grier born 1835).  So I am fishing in that pond also.

Do you know where I can find the actual Ramelton church birth records behind the indexes?  Archive?  The church itself?

Thanks for the compliment on my research and for your help!

Susan Lawrence

Thanks for the link!  I sent an email to them just now.  By the way, Prudence Grier Tolland  died in 1908.  Cheers!  Susan

Hi, I've just happened upon this feed and think that Joseph and Prudence Grier (nee McClay) were my Great Great Grandparents    Their daughter Prudence married my Great Grandfather John Toland, they had 4 children, one of whom is my Grandfather Edward Toland, he had 6 children one of whom was my Dad   There are no Toland's left at Tully    A couple of the family live in nearby town though, some ins Scotland and some in England     Hope that helps!!

Hello whoever you are!  Is there any chance that you have done a DNA test?  If so, are you willing to share your name and where the test is?  I am delighted to find another descendant of this couple.  I found Prudence and John and thier 4 children but could not trace the children.  I assume that they are all deceased so I would love to have any information about them--dates, spouses, children, whatever you can share!  My email is sdl1177@cs.com if you would rather keep this private.  I will not share info without your permission.  And a huge THANK YOU for reaching out.  Any info on Joseph and Prudence is also appreciated.  I live in the USA.  Do you live in Ireland?  I have more on Prudence Grier Toland if you need it.  Susan Lawrence

The post right above my last post refers to my grandfather and my dad.  I was responding to that one or I thought I was.  Yes, the others were volunteers to whom I am grateful.  It is dated Monday , November 2, 2020.  Susan

Hi Susan.   

Yes, you're correct, I am a family member, not a volunteer.  I'll send you an email to the address you've given above, it might not be immediately but as soon as I get the chance!   Regards    Patricia 

Thanks Patricia!!  Whatever you send, I will fill in anything I have on Prudence that you don't have.   Happily yours, Susan

Hello Patricia!  

Just wondering if you have found any time to get that information on your family to me?

Susan

Hi Susan, yes, sorry for the delay.  I have just emailed you some information - I hope it is of help/interest to you.

Patricia