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Griffiths Valuation question

General question re: Griffith's Valuation: Why aren't my ancestors listed in GV even though they were working/living in the mining area of Co. Tipperary (Slieveardagh) during the period the Valuation was taken?

My ancestor Wm Morris was a coal mining engineer working for the Mining Co. of Ireland. (His sons were steward and manager at the mine in Earlshill, Co Tipperary later, in 1870s. I suspect they may have even lived in the manager's house which is still in Earlshill.)

I have researched GV records extensively...nearby towns and counties in search of Wm, during GV time period but have not found him. [Wm. Morris (m. Mary Burke Ballingarry 1849; children and wife listed in parish records 1849-1855]. It seems Wm. should have been in the Valuation as he was living and working there in Earlshill 1840s-1883.

I'd appreciate any thoughts as to why he wasn't listed in GV. Thanks so much!

Katy from Oregon

kathclval@gmail.com

5 replies

Katy,

Griffith's Valuation was a valuation of property owned or leased by an individual.

Apparently, William was residing in Company Property.

Please see attached. 

Regards,

McCoy

RootsIreland lists the following Wm. Morrises in Tip. One is in Ballingarry.

 

  Source Surname First Name Townland Parish County  
  Griffith Morris William Ballynahinch Ballingarry Co. Tipperary  
  Griffith Morris William Kilnagranagh Cloneen Co. Tipperary  
  Griffith Morris William Longford Pass South Kilcooly Co. Tipperary  
  Griffith Morris William Priest Town Demesne Drangan Co. Tipperary  
  Griffith Morris William Brenormore Garrangibbon Co. Tipperary  
  Griffith Morris William Whitepark Roscrea Co. Tipperary  
  Griffith Morris William Ballinvir Templemichael Co. Tipperary  
  Griffith Morris William Gortnock Templemichael Co. Tipperary  
  Griffith Morris William Killinch Templemichael Co. Tipperary

 

glanvil3@aol.com

Thank you for your informative response!

I have seen these listings on GV but think Ballynahinch would be a bit far from William's work at Earlshill Colliery.

I looked for places on GV that were owned by Mining Co. of Ireland and did not see William's name listed.

Perhaps he was neither a tenant nor landowner? Maybe he was absent during the time the Valuation took place? Were there folks exempted from being on GV? (most likely not...taxes continue to find a way :)

Thank you,

Katy

kathclval@gmail.com

Hi,
You say........
 (His sons were steward and manager at the mine in Earlshill, Co Tipperary later, in 1870s.
Have you any names?
Margot

Margot Secrette

Katy,

There were properties that were exempt, schools and churches being examples. However they still tended to be listed but with reduced or no tax liability. Properties of very low value were not always listed.

Griffiths wasn’t like a census where the aim is to record everyone.  There were all sorts of situations where people wouldn’t be listed in Griffiths. And only the head of household was listed. Servants, lodgers, elderly relatives, long term guests and so on would not be listed. People resident in institutions like hospitals, prisons, workhouses, soldiers in barracks, police, hotels, lodging houses and so on. None of them would be listed.

If your ancestor isn’t listed then he was possibly staying in a property where another person or organisation was assessed as head of household/tenant. With railways for example, there were stationmaster’s houses, crossing keeper’s cottages and so on where employees lived. But they are not named.  Taking Bellaghy railway stationmasters house in Co Antrim as an example, it is listed as  “Belfast and Northern Counties Railway Company. (Charles Stewart, Secretary).” Griffiths won’t tell you who the stationmaster was or if anyone else lodged with him.

 

 

 

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

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