Hi Charles,
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.
I did a search for Michael Hanrahan in Griffith?s Valuation. This is a property valuation survey carried out in Ireland 1848-64. It doesn?t have any genealogical information but can sometimes be used to tie a person to a specific place. Here are the results:
http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=doNameSearch&Submit.x=25&Submit.y=7&Submit=Submit&familyname=hanrahan&firstname=michael&baronyname=&countyname=KILKENNY&unionname=&parishname=
As you can see from the above link there was a Michael Hanrahan recorded in 5 different parishes in Kilkenny. Although it is impossible to know if any of these are relevant to you they may offer a starting point for your search if you have no other leads.
Narrowing down h parish of origin will really help you in your search for information. Have you tried looking for church records online at:
www.familysearch.org has a huge database of genealogical records including some church records for Ireland.
www.rootsireland.ie have a large collection of Irish Church records, however you have to pay to use this site.
Have you tried looking into his emigration? Sometimes more infomation can be found at the port of arrival rather than that of departure. You may be lucky and find a place name here. For information on US immigration records check http://www.archives.gov/research/immigration/
Some other websites that may be helpful 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
The National Archives UK ? genealogy search: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/
The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm
Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/index.htm
Irish Genealogy Tool kit: http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/
Genealogy Links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/kilkenny/index.html
IGP: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik2/
From Ireland: www.from-ireland.net
Remember to post any new information that you find here. The more information you post, the more likely it is that one of our volunteers will be able to advise or assist you. Also include information concerning which sources you may have already used so others may further your search.
Kind regards,
Genealogy Support
