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Searching for Farrells in Mylerstown

Hello,

I am an American researching my Irish ancestry and hoping to connect with anyone who may have knowledge of or connection to the Farrell family of Mylerstown, Rathernan Parish, County Kildare.

My ancestor Patrick Farrell was born on 3 September 1809 in County Kildare, Ireland. He emigrated to America sometime around 1844–1846 and settled in Bellevue, Jackson County, Iowa, where he farmed, married Elizabeth Welliver, and raised a large family. He died on 29 August 1891 in Bellevue.

Through research in the 1829 Tithe Applotment Books and Griffith's Valuation (1853), I have identified the Farrell family's specific townland as Mylerstown in Rathernan Parish, Barony of Connell. In 1829, a Peter Farrell held approximately 82 acres in Mylerstown as a head tenant with sub-tenants farming under him. We believe Peter may be Patrick's father. A Robert Farrell also appears in Mylerstown in 1829 and may be a brother or uncle.

By 1853, the Griffith's Valuation records show a large cluster of Farrells still living in Mylerstown, including Garrett, Peter, Daniel, Denis, Mary, Margaret, and Martin Farrell — likely Patrick's siblings or their children who remained in Ireland after Patrick emigrated.

I would be deeply grateful for any of the following:

— Knowledge of any current Farrell families historically associated with the Mylerstown/Robertstown area

— Any local records, gravestone inscriptions, or oral history relating to this family

— Connection with anyone researching this same Farrell line

Thank you so much for this wonderful service. It means the world to those of us trying to reconnect with our Irish roots.

Warm regards,

Patrick Miller

Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA

Pjmiller823@gmail.com

Pjmiller823

1 reply

Patrick:

The 1901 census for Mylerstown townland in Rathernan civil parish listed 32 households but no Farrell households. So unless some daughters married and stayed in the townland, it would appear that the surname Farrell had died out in that area.

I searched on the free site irishgenealogy.ie for death records.

I found Garrett Farrell listed in the Griffiths had died in 1879 ninth record at this link https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1879/06517/4877226.pdf

I did not find good leads for Peter, Daniel, Denis and Martin.

Have you considered a general DNA test? Possibly you will have matches with third or fourth cousins who have more information on the family. The matches will likely be living in the USA or other countries.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

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