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James Mulvey, 1820

Hi, I'm well aware that this is a longshot but I have spent 15 years searching for information on a James Mulvey who was born in Leitrim, Ireland around 1820. He may have emigrated over in 1844 with his sister Catherine. He allegedly died in Lynchburg Virginia, USA on July 27th, 1858. He was supposed to have three sisters, Catherine, Jane, and Mary who were also in the United States at the time of his death and allegedly resided in Springfield, Massachusettes. He left these individuals a sum of money so it can be supposed that he was unmarried and childless at the time of his death. James is buried in the St. Mary's Cemetery in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. I have contacted the cemetery and they have no records beyond what is located on the man's headstone. It's very unusual for an individual to have their body transported and thus embalmed prior to the Civil War. 

 I have spent many hours scouring the internet looking for death/birth/land records for this gentleman across ancenstry.com, genealogybank, familysearch, newspapers.com a variety of other sites just to come up empty. I do not know what his parish was and lack any other substantial information but I would graciously appreciate ANY assistance in this matter.

vangordenkj@gm…

4 replies

vangordenkj:

I searched the subscription site Roots Ireland for a baptismal record for a James Mulvey in Co. Leiytrim. The earliest record available was in 1833 which appears to be too late for your interests. In general, most RC parishes in the west of Ireland (which includes Co. Leitrim) do not have records available prior to 1850. 

Looking at the Griffiths Valuation household data from 1857 for Co. Leitrim, the surname Mulvey was quite common particularly in the southern part of the county. There are two civil parishes (Kiltoghert and Kiltubbrid) where the surname is particularly prevalent.

I can't tell how you are related to James Mulvey but if your are related, you may want to consider DNA testing and maybe your will have matches with descendants of one or more of his siblings.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Roger McDonnell,

I appreciate your assistance. Unfortunately, I am not actually related to the gentleman. It's more of a personal interest/life long mystery that I am attempting to piece together. 

vangordenkj@gm…

Hi, There was obviously a will, as there was a lawyer in Lynchburg, VA, handling it. The probate file would be on file in the Lynchburg circuit court: https://www.lynchburgva.gov/probate.
If they don't have it, they can probably point you toward who does. Hope this helps. Patricia, glanvil3@aolcom.

glanvil3@aol.com

I appreciate your reply. I am currently in contact with someone in Lynchburg, VA (I don't live anywhere near there) and hopefully they can make the journey to take a look! Thanks!

vangordenkj@gm…

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