I have hit a brick wall attempting to find herparent's marriage and birth of Margaret [Ester?]Lewis who was born c1838in Peterswell, parish of Kilthomas, Co. Galway Her parents listed on her marriage certificate here in Australia in 1856 are John Lewis farmer and Catherine Hickey and I believe she was born/baptised Roman Catholic Any help would be greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance
Juddee:
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!
Unfortuneately, the RC baptismal records for Peterswell/Kilthomas parish do not begin until 1854 so no record of Margaret's baptismal record would exist. Marriage records start in 1856.
There were no Lewis records in the 1855 Griffiths Valuation for Kilthomas civil parish. However, going back to the 1826 Tithe listings for the parish there was a John Lewis listed in Hollymount. The record is very faint. http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/reels/tab//004625687/004625687_00600.pdf
The record is likely for the father of Margaret or maybe his father.
Roger McDonnell
Roger thank you so much for your reply. Sorry for not getting back to you earlier but with Christmas family and visitors it makes for a few hectic days. I was hoping against hope that there may be a record of Margaret's birth somewhere but it's not to be. I was actually in Ireland but on a tour and dined at Dunguarie Castle on my birthday I spoke to the gentleman in the souvenior store about my ancestors and he informed me Peterswell was 6 miles from there as the crow flies so I missed making a visit to the town. I would say the John Lewis at Hollymount is Margaret's father but have been unable to find any death records for him or his wife Catherine[nee] Hickey. So this family may have to be the brickwall in my Tasker/Lewis tree.
Again many thanks for taking your time to help me Roger. Wishing you and your family peace joy and laughter in the coming New Year.
PS I felt such a strong pull to Ireland I actually cried when I left daft isn't it?
Juddee:
Happy New Year to you and your family! I live in the States and we have been to Ireland frequently. I understand your comment about the strong pull to Ireland.
Roger