Ireland XO
Back to Message Board

O'Rourke in Graiguenamanagh

KilkennyGraiguenamanagh (Kilkenny)

Looking for relatives ofmy 2nd great grandparents, Michael O'Rourke ("Junior" or "Mickey") born 1834 in Aclare, Graiguenamanagh Parish and died 1880 in Cincinnati, Ohio), and his wifeBridget O'Brien, born 1839 in Drumdowney, Slieverue Parish, and died date unknown in Cincinnati, Ohio. I have baptismal records for both Michael and Bridget, so I have the names of their parents and sponsors, if that would help. Most of the Ireland information I have collected comes from the Roots-Ireland web site. "Junior" and Bridget met in Covington, Kentucky shortly after immigrating to the US, and there were married in Covington in 1864. I have their family history in the US fairly well documented.

I believe Michael "Junior's" parents were Michael O'Rourke ("Senior"), born ~1798 in Deer Park, Carrick-on-Suir Parish, and died 1874 in Covington, Kentucky, and Elenora "Nelly" Walsh, born August 1801 in Carrick-on-Suir Parish and died ~1844 most likely in Graiguenamanagh. After Nelly passed, "Senior" married Bridget Connelly, born October 1818 in Graiguenamanagh and died September 1894 in Covington, Kentucky. Their marriage date was 31 January 1844 and they both lived in Skeard, Kilmacow Parish, Kilkenny when they were married.

"Junior" had four siblings: Laurence (b1825); Mary (b1828); Patrick (b1830); and Bridget (b1836) all born in Aclare, Graiguenamanagh Parish. I have very little information on these four siblings.

I believe Bridget O'Brien's parents were James O'Brien (born ~1817in Slieverue Parish, Kilkenny and dod unknown), and Bridget Dwyer (born November 1817 in St. Mary's Parish, Kilkenny and dod unknown). I would also like to get more information on the O'Brien and Dwyer families, beyond the little bit of information available in Roots-Ireland.

IrelandXO member

2 replies

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out and apologies for the long delay in getting back to you.

The best thing to do is to follow the names of those whose information you have collected from Rootsireland and who stayed in Ireland along the Tithes, Griffith's Valuation and Census 1901/1911. In that way you can build up a picture not only of who they were but how they lived. On the Census make sure you look at the House and Building Form and the Out Offices Form as they are often overlooked. Once you have done that you could consider a further course of action like looking at the Valuation Office records (they are not online yet so you will have to consider a researcher if you cannot go there yourself as we don't yet have a volunteer in that part of Kilkenny). You can learn more HERE. You can also continue to use Roots to find out more about any children who may have remained and had children of their own and married in the parish.

Best wishes for a happy 2017

Clare Doyle

Genealogy Support

 

IrelandXO member

Dear Ms. Doyle,

Thank you for your most helpful and kind reply.  I have dabbled with the Tithe Books, Census, and Griffith's Valuation, but now I shall dig into them more deeply.

I wish you a happy and rewarding 2017 as well.

Warmest regards,

Paul O'Rourke

IrelandXO member

Reply

Reply
One image file up to 2 MB.