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The William Smith O'Brien Petition in County Clare

Clare

Hello- I recently received a document in which my great uncle spoke about his father and the reason his father left Ireland in 1848-1849 and immigrated to America. His father, my great-great grandfather was Ross Michael O'Laughlin, born in 1820 in Ennystymon. The document mentions The Terence O'Brien Rebellion but then corrects himself later mentioning the William Smith O'Brien Rebellion of 1848. My great uncle says that his father, Ross O'Laughlin 's property was confiscated by the crown because his father was "mixed up in it". In 1848 Ross O'Laughlin was married to Marie Burke and had 2 children. They resided in County Clare. Ross immigrated to America during this time and his wife and 2 children followed 7 years later. I believe my. great great grandfather signed the William Smith O'Brien Petition.

What is the best place to read about the petition and the effects this rebellion had on County Clare ? Could it be possible that my ancestors lost their land to the crown because of the rebellion ?

Thank You,

Molly Schwall

Bernadette O'Brien

Molly

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Molly/Bernadette:

I assume you read this Wikipedia article?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Smith_O%27Brien

The Co. Clare library has excellent genealogy resources. I don't see the Petition on their index but an email contact would be helpful https://clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/genealog.htm

I don't know if you have access to Ancestry.com (World) or FindMyPast.ie which are subscription sites. FindMyPast.ie does have the Petition which by the way was signed in every county and also in England. I searched for Ross O'Laughlin/O'Loughlin and variants and did not find a record for him on the Petition.

Maybe another volunteer would have more sucess.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

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