Hi Linda,
Thank you very much for your message. I hope that someone with information makes a connection with you and helps you to further your research.
In the meantime have you tired:
Land Records:
You could check for record of the family in the land records pertaining to Ireland in the 19th century. These do not offer any genealogical information but can sometimes be used to tie a person to a specific place.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/
Church Records:
Have you tried looking at church records in Cobh and youghla to see if you can find any records that would confirm their place of origin?
Most Catholic records are held locally so you may need to write to the local parish priest for possible assistance. One website that you may find useful is the Irish Times where they give an overview of what records are available in specific parishes. It also shows you where copies of the records are available.
For Cobh parish, follow this link:
http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/fuses/rcparishmaps/index.cfm?fuseaction=showidrecords&CityCounty=Cork%20East&parish=Cobh&churchid=36
For Youghal: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/fuses/rcparishmaps/index.cfm?fuseaction=showidrecords&CityCounty=Cork%20East&parish=Youghal&churchid=100
As you can see from the above links Mallow Heritage Centre have copies of the records available. Here is their email if you would like to contact them, however please note that a fee may apply: mallowheritagecentre@gmail.com
You could also try searching on www.familysearch.org
Also Irish Genealogy have records from the Catholic Dioces of Cork and Ross on their website for free. Unfortunately, Cobh and Youghal do not fall under this diocese. However, it may be no harm to check it anyways in case the family was not from these parishes:
http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/
Some other more general 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
Irish Genealogy Tool kit: http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/
Genealogy links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/cork/index.html
Cork past and Present: http://www.corkpastandpresent.ie/
From Ireland: www.from-ireland.net
Failte Romhat: www.failteromhat.ie
Kind regards,
Genealogy Support
