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Searching for the Rourkes of Kiltartan and Lissatunny

GalwayGort Kilmacduagh And Kiltartan (Galway)

I am looking for any information on James, Patrick and John Rourke who resided in Lissatunny, Kiltartan listed in Griffiths Valuation 1847-1864.  My great-grandfather Dennis Rourke emigrated about 1854 to Williamstown, NY. His father was James Rourke and mother was Celia Heath.  I have found evidence that Dennis was from Galway County and I am trying to find which town he was born in about 1833-1834.  He had a brother John born in 1825 and a sister Anna born in 1829.  Two other brothers, Patrick (born 1830) and Thomas (born ?), remained in Ireland.  A later brother James (born 1843) emigrated to the US in 1860 and also resided in Williamstown, NY.  Thank you for any information you can provide.  Bruce Hale

bdh1

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Bruce: I searched the subscription site Roots Ireland and did not find a baptismal record for a Denis Rourke with the parents names listed in your message. In fact, I did not find any baptismal records for children of James Rourke and Celia Heath. You mention the Rourkes from Lissatunny, Kiltartan parish. Do you know for sure that this is your family? In any event, Gort RC parish baptismal records do not start until June 1848 https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0623 which would explain not finding any baptismal records. Let me know if you have any questions. Roger McDonnell
Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer
Bruce, A James Rourke, Senior and Junior in North County Galway 1853 - Townland - Cloonfaghna - Civil parish of Ballynakill - Griffith's House Valuations 1853 - Barony of Ballymoe The surname "Heath" is recorded in the Barony of Ballymoe - townland of Glinsk - Civil parish of Ballynakill. The surname "Heath" is recorded in various parts of County Galway and the adjoining county of Clare where the surname "Rourke" is also present. I am unable to Post the entries, but they can be accessed at free site www.askaboutireland.ie Regards,
McCoy

Roger and Mr. McCoy, thanks for the replies to my initial inquiry on the Rourkes and Heaths.  Recent DNA matches for me on Ancestry have led me to the Heath families of Tisrara Parish, Roscommon including John Heath as a tenant in Cloonlaughlan and Cloonashade there in 1824 and 1836 and a Timothy Heath with a son Thomas J. Heath, who emigrated to NJ.  It is possible that Celia Heath was from this area in Roscommon.  I have also found a James Rourke as a tenant in 1826 in Coolatubbrid, Taughboyne, Galway & Roscommon and a James Rourke as a tenant in 1858 in Cloonlaughlan, Tisrara, Roscommon, who could be my gg-grandfather.  I am still looking for baptismal records for their children (John, Anna, Dennis, Patrick, Thomas, James) and a marriage certificate (about 1824 before John was born).  Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.  I sent a letter to Father Beirne in Four Roads who used to be in charge of the local history society in Tisrara Parish and published a parish history, but so far I have not heard back from him.  Again, thanks for any research you can do for me. Mr. McCoy, the Heaths and Rourkes in Ballymoe are also on my radar as a strong possibility.  

Bruce Hale

bdh1

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