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Slevin/Slavin Ancestors

Donegal

I am also looking for ancestors who came from Donnegal and really need some help/advice. My gg-grandparents Bartholomew Kelly and Margaret McDevitt I believe were married somewhere in Donnegal which I know is like looking for a needle in a haystack. They arrived in Quebec Canada sometime between 1830 and 1835. Their first child was born in Quebec in 1835 and is my g-grandfather Charles Kelly. I believe that Bartholomew may have had a brother named James who either immigrated with him or prior to his arrival as James turns up in the same parish as Batholomew and is godfather to Bartholomew and Margaret's 1st child Charles.

Bartholomew died in Montreal in 1895 aged 83 which would put his birth around 1812 or so. His wife Margaret died at a young age in 1852. I have registrations of the births and deaths of their children, have actually seen the church registers and been to the graveyard and walked on the land that they had farmed. I really am looking for any information as to when they might have married in Ireland, when they might have immigrated(I have had absolutely no luck with immigration lists etc.) and if possible birth registrations. I know this is all a very long shot but thought I would take the change of writing anyway. Will be very glad for any help whatsoever.

Margaret

IrelandXO member

5 replies

Margaret:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

Unfortunately, there are no RC parish records for Co. Donegal prior to 1838 and most parishes start later than 1838. We also do not have any records for passenger info for ships leaving in the 1830s.

Can I suggest that you add an article about Bartholomew and Margaret to our XO Chronicles site and possibly someone will see a connection.  https://www.irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/history-and-genealogy/ancestor-dat…

Have you considered DNA testing?

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

I will certainly do that and yes I have had my DNA done and I am on ancestry.ca as well as 123. Thanks for you help.

Margaret

IrelandXO member

Margaret:

You can expand your DNA matching pool by uploading your Ancestry raw DNA data to a volunteer site called Genesis Gedmatch  www.genesis.gedmatch.com ;  You will get matches with people who tested with other companies and also uploaded their data to Genesis Gedmatch.  ( I find that my Ancestry matches rarely get back to me when I send them a message).

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thanks for that suggestion Bob. I have just sent Kate Slavin a message. You never know. Maybe I'll get lucky.

Margaret

IrelandXO member

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