Looking for ancestor Patrick Shields, shoemaker of Galway, 1845.
My great great grandfather, Patrick Shields was a shoemaker in Galway in 1845 when he stole a horse from Patrick (Devon?) He was convicted in County Galway on 18 March 1845 and was transported Ratcliffe (1) from London as a convict to Van Diemen's Land sentenced to 10 years.
He was single, Catholic, illiterate, 23 yrs of age in 1845 so approx birth date of 1822 with a club right foot and described as a cripple.
He gave his native place as Galway. He made no reference to any family.
I am keen to know if there are records of trades at the time which might identify where he was working in Galway as a shoemaker.
Church records for Baptism?
Were the Court records destroyed by fire or do they still exist for that time and if so are they online? Which Galway newspaper of March1845 may have reported the trial?
I have no more detail about exactly where in Galway he was from.
Any help anyone can provide, I would much appreciate,
Christine.
