I am looking for Edward McCrea who came from County Fermanaugh, Cairn Parish, Kesh, Post Town Immigrated to Canada in 1843 at age 28, unmarried. He was a stone mason in Ireland. His mother's maiden name was Mary Campbell. She came frrom Scotland. Mary McCrea (nee Campbell) was widowed, lived in Pettgoe, with a William Campbell family but not related to her. Thank you for helping. Irene McCrea
Hi Irene,
Thank you very much for your message. I hope that someone recognises the family and makes a connection with you.
Unfortunately, Catholic records for Cairn parish do not start until 1836 so it will be unlikely that you will find anything relevant to Edward:
You could try searching for the McCrae's in the , the land records pertaining to Ireland in the 19th century. There are two:
The Tithe Applotment Books (1823-1838) found at http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp
and Griffith?s Valuation (1848-1864) found at http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/
Some other websites that you may find useful are:
The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/
The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx
The National Archives UK ? genealogy search: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/
The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htmIrish Genealogy Tool kit: http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/
Donegal Genealogy: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~donegal/
Genealogy Links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/index.html
From Ireland: www.from-ireland.net
Kind regards,
Genealogy Support
Hi Irene,
Edward McCrea was my 3rd Great Grand Uncle. His mother was Mary Campbell, and his father John McCrea from Springtown, Co. Fermanagh, Ireland.
Edward married Bridget Ryan in Quebec, Canada at the Basilique Notre-Dame. They then moved to Springtown, Ontario, Canada and were one of the founding families of the area; thus the name of the town being "Springtown".
Edward was a Stonemason and then kept the Inn at Springtown. He also had 3 siblings from Ireland; Mary, Andrew and James.
Two books that will help you out tremendously are The St. Gabriel's Memory Book by Carol McCuaig, and Springtown Reflections by Irene Robillard.
Please feel free to contact me if you have problems getting copies of these books.
You'll even get to see a photo of Edward McCrea from 1866 in the St. Gabriel's Memory Book.
Regards,
Joanne
Irene, Here's a newspaper clipping pertaining to a Memorial Mass that was held for Edward McCrea and his wife Bridget from the Renfrew Mercury. Interesting that they spelled his name "McRae" in this article.
I do have a lot of obituary clippings pertaining to this family and I'm more than happy to share these with you.
Joanne