My Great Grandfather Charles Bell was born in Donegal son of George Bell and Eliza McDermot. He died in 1905 and is buried in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada. He lived in the area and was married at least twice there having four children from each union. I would like to find out his parish and when; how; and with whom he emmigrated. Any help would be appreciated, Lydia 6
Lydia:
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!
Finding records in Co. Donegal in the first half of the 19th century is difficult. Can you clarify the religious denomination? You mention two marriages. Did they occur in Ireland or Canada? If Ireland, can you provide the maiden names of the spouses?
I did check the subscription site Roots Ireland and did not find a baptismal record for Charles.
Roger McDonnell
Thank you Roger for your response. His first (of three) could have been in Ireland to Mary Ann Bailey. He is usually discribed as RC but our area didn't have a Catholic Church in the 1840's so I have his sons William (Dec. 24, 1844) twins Robert Bailey and Charles (Nov. 1, 1846) all baptised on May 19, 1847 in Hope Twp. at the Weslayan Methodist. Prior, in the same area I have 1835 - 1840 a William and Francis Bell ; in 1841 a James Bell joins in and my Great Grandmother Bradshaw's father Patrick (this time spelled!) Garens moves in next door. This continues until 1847 when Charles shows up on the assessments. In 1848, 1850 and 1851 the same. On April 19, 1852 a son Thomas Andrew is born and then on September21, 1853 a daughter Elizabeth. They are both baptised at St. Mary's in Port Hope on October 4, 1853. This is RC. Two marriages are also recorded here. the second one on November 22, 1883 is to my Great Grandmother Bridget born Ireland to (variously spelled) John Maley and Bridget Merrick. She is O'Malley in most records I've seen. She had 4 daughters Margaret (my Gr. Mom); Rachael; Mary and Theresa. She died April 25, 1893 at 42 and is buried in St. Mary's Cem. section B, Port Hope, Ontario, Canada.
I mentioned Patrick (born Ireland 1810) moving in close by. It makes me think he could be from Donegal also. His accent was strong - Garens; Gerrins; Gerns; Gerring; Gearrin; Garen; Gernes; Guarin; Gairns; Gurens; Gearus; Gerans and ultimately Gearns. He died on Hope St. on the 21 st of January, 1898 at the age of 87.