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McGrath/Wall from County Waterford or County Tipperary

I am researching my husbands 2x great-grandparents Dennis McGrath (1798-1878) and Mary Wall (1809-?). They immigrated to Canada (Brantford, Ontario) sometime between 1845 and 1849.

I have found baptismal records for their eight children born in Ireland: Margaret (1828), John (1830), Thomas (1832), Patrick (1834), William (1836), Catherine (1838), Mary (1843) and Dennis (1845). Edward (1849) and Lawrence (1850) were born in Canada.

The baptismal records specify the Catholic parish of Newcastle, Tipperary and Waterford. I understand that this parish crosses the Tipperary/Waterford border. In County Waterford, the civil parish would be Kilronan, and in County Tipperary, the civil parish would be Newcastle. What Im trying to determine is where they lived in either County Waterford or County Tipperary. Do you have any suggestions or advice?

In the Canadian census records, Dennis McGraths occupation is labourer. I dont know whether he would have been a farmer in Ireland, or what the topography of the Tipperary/Waterford area would be.

Thank you.

Eloise Coleman

eloise coleman

4 replies

Eloise:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

There are a few clues to the townland of your ancestors but no definitive indication where they came from.

There are almost an equal number of McGraths in both Kilronan and Newcastle parishes in the 1850 Griffiths Valuation. ( I know Denis and family had left but I wanted to see where the name was found in 1850). The 1825 Tithe listings for Newcastle parish in Tipperary show a Denis McGrath Sr. and Jr. in Crohan townland. This may be your Denis and his father. They had 45 acres of land that they were leasing..

http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/reels/tab//004625704/004625704_00271.pdf

However, I searched Roots Ireland for the baptismal records for the children of Denis and Mary and only one of the records ( Mary in 1843) showed a place name. See transcription of record below. The record transcribes the place name as Behemagh but no official townland has that name. Townland names were standardized in 1851. I looked at the parish record and possibly the name could be for Ballymakee townland in Kilronan parish Co. Waterford. See link 

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632191#page/232/mode/1up

If the 1825 Tithe record was correct, possibly the McGrath's had to move to Behemagh (or Ballymakee) after a dispute with the landlord ( my speculation). Of course, the famine came and Denis and Mary decided to move to Canada.

Let me know what questions you have.

Roger McDonnell

Name:Mary McGrathDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:01-Nov-1843Address:BehemaghParish/District:NEWCASTLEGender:
CountyCo. Waterford
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Denis McGrathMother:Mary WallOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:John TiernySponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Brigid Donoghue

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you for the information, Roger.

I’m having trouble seeing the actual listing of Mary’s baptismal record, so the transcription that you provide is helpful. I wonder if the place name Behemagh is an older place name.

Eloise

eloise coleman

Eloise:

It very well could be an older place name.

If you to the link I provided from the register, there are two pages. Go to the right hand page and count down to the 11th line. There is also a + - button on top to allow you to zoom in or out. FYI Denis is shown as Dionysius which is the Latin form for Denis.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Okay, I see the entry now. Thanks.

The baptism took place in November 1843, but the Ancestry transcription says April 1843. That's why it's important to look at the actual record :)

Eloise

eloise coleman

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