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Strain Family

Donegal

My 2nd great grandfather is Hugh Strain, b. 1827.  He arrived in Philadelphia in 1845.  Edward Strain was on the same ship (no ages recorded).  A death record for Edward Strain states he died in 1849, birth abt. 1823.  Through DNA I find I'm related to a descendant of Margaret Strain who arrived in Philadelphia in 1834 with a Sarah Strain.  Through marriage and baptismal records these four were sponsors for each others children and for the children of John and Daniel Strain.  We are not sure how they are all related.  Research shows that there is a preponderance of Hugh, Edward and Daniel Strains around Kilmacrenan and Killygarvan.  Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Julie

 

lisofin

7 replies

Julie:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I assume your ancestors were Church of Ireland. The records for many of the Church of Ireland parishes for Co. Donegal are available on Roots Ireland and go back to the late 1700s/early 1800s. There are parishes, however, where the record start much later in the 19th century.

Kilmacrenan records start in 1818 and Killygarvan records start  in 1706. However, when I searched Roots Ireland for Richard Strain and Edward Strain records around 1827 were not available. This would indicate that their C of I parish may have records starting later in the 1800s.

There were 24 Strain records in Donegal Tithe records  http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/results.jsp?surname=strain&firstname=&county=Donegal&townland=&parish=&search=Search&sort=&pageSize=&pager.offset=0

A good number were in Tullyfern civil parish which lies between Kilmacrenan and Killygarvan civil parishes. The Tullyfern C of I records are not on Roots Ireland so possibly that is the parish for your Strain.

Let me know if you have questions. You can also add your ancestors to our XO Chronicles site https://irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/history-and-genealogy/ancestor-database

Roger McDonnell

 

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you for the information you sent so quickly. However, all the Strains in my family were married and baptized in the Catholic Church.  What records would be available, if any?

lisofin

lisofin:

Unfortunately, RC records for Co. Donegal before 1850 are very scarce so there would be no records available for someone born in the 1820s.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

That's what I thought.  Unfortunately, I can trace all of my Irish 2nd greats back to at least the 1820s because of letters, Bible notes or official paper work filed here in the States.  Besides Donegal (Gallen & Strain), my forebears came from Antrim (Stewart, McFall, Carr & Loughery), Derry (can't find the maiden name of my 3rd great grandmother [b. 1790]; she married a Daly), Clare (O'Neill & Connell) and Limerick (Welsh).  The Welsh's were in the States before 1792.  Just a bit of background so you can see the frustration in my research.  However, it's been rewarding finding 2nd and 3rd cousins and exchanging stories with them. Until the virus arrived, we had planned to be in Ireland at this time.  Hopefully we can get back next year.

I appreciate your help.

Julie

lisofin

Hi Julie,

I'm also trying to get confirmation on a Rose Strain b ~ 1815 who married Daniel Deeny.  If you'd like to collab, you may reach me at trishdeeney@yahoo.com

Trish

TrishDeeney

Hello Julie, my GG Granfather Patrick Strain was from the same parish, Tullyfern, area as yours. He emigrated to Scotland. His Father was Cornelius Strain. Patrick married Mary Mcilvany also from Ireland but Co Antrim not Donegal like him. Patrick died in 1912 in Linlithgow poor house, West Lothian. The streets were not paved in gold for him, all his children were illiterate and life was very tough. I know his father died inCarrownasaul, Co Donegal in 1871 and his wife was Mary, maiden name Lynagh. I'm sure there must be a connection between us through Cornelius? 
Sally O'Brien 

 

 

Sally O'Brien

Hello my name is Rhiannon Vess and 8th great grandpa is John Straughan, who had David Strain then David had Andrew strain sr. Then he had Andrew leeman strain. I'm just curious about the history of my family in Ireland or in general. If anyone wants to message me at rvess85@gmail.com with information that would be great.

Rvess85@gmail.com

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