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Looking to meet any Duffy relatives in Ireland

I was wondering if I have any family left in Ireland.  I have research that indicates that Patrick Duffy born 1807 in County Tyrone and Catherine Monaghan moved to Canada from Derry on the ship then down to northern New York State around 1849.  He had 9 children--Francis born 1828, John 1831, Patrick 1833, Roseanne1835, James1838, Sarah Jane born either 1836, 1838 or 1839, Joseph 1843, Hugh 1846 and Edward 1848.  Hugh was my great great grandfather.  There is some evidence that they were married in Newtownsteward.  

I am new to this and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or information.

Thanks,

Steve Duffy

PS.  I am in Ireland for a few days and plan on driving up to the area on August 23, 2025 and staying for a day or 2. Maybe talking to people in town at church or pubs my spring a lead or two.

Sduffy

1 reply

Steve,

Tracing your ancestors’ roots may be challenging. Birth, death and RC marriage registration didn’t start in Ireland till 1864. Prior to that we rely on church records - where they exist. If your family married in Newtownstewart and were RC, the bad news is the records for that parish (Ardstraw East) don’t start till 1860. Much too late for you.

Both surnames are common in Co. Tyrone. In the 1901 census there were 224 Duffy & 264 Monaghan.

With such limited information about your ancestors origins it’s difficult to know what to suggest. They left Ireland 180 years ago and so it’s not likely anyone alive today is going to know much about them.

Possibly DNA testing may be a way of matching with others who have additional information about where the family originate. Family Tree DNA reportedly has more people with Ulster roots than any other company. That obviously increases the chances of finding a match. You might want to try them or, if you have already tested, you can transfer your results to them for no fee.

The North of Ireland Family History Society is running an Ulster DNA project and can offer FTDNA testing kits at a reduced price. http://www.nifhs.org (Go to DNA project on the website).

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

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