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Thomas O'Brien

KilkennyMuckalee Knocktopher (Kilkenny)

My 2nd great-grandfather Thomas O'Brien was born in Muckalee, Kilkenny about 1823. At 18 years of age he immigrated to Victoria, Australia on board the ship Ferguson. Eight years later, in 1849 he married Margaret Conran (Convan) in Melbourne, Victoria who is recorded on their marriage certificate as also being from Muckalee and born about 1828. There is no record of either of their parent's names. On board the same ship as Thomas O'Brien there was a family of Gareth and Catherine O'Brien and six children including a son Patrick (13 years), but Thomas was not recorded as a member of their family. Margaret Conran immigrated to Victoria in September 1849 aborad the ship Courier and listed as a single female. On Thomas and Margaret's marriage certificate one witness is a Patrick O'Brien (possibly a relative who immigrated with Thomas).

Any ideas on where to search for any further information regarding Irish records etc.

gailkeeing

2 replies

Gail:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

The RC records for Muckalee have a large gap which affects your research. There is a gap between 1806 and 1840 for baptisms. Marriages are available but you don't have his parents names. http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0997 ;

I checked the 1833 Tithe records and 1849 griffiths records and neither file had O'Brien records.

Have you considered autosomal DNA testing? Possibly you will match someone with more info on your O'Brien family.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thanks so much for your effort Roger.  I will follow up on your suggestions.

gailkeeing

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