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Fitzpatricks from Laois

LaoisLea (Laois)

My name is Pat Flaherty. I am searching for Thomas Fitzpatrick and Elizabeth Lynch who emigrated from Queens County. In 1851 they boarded a sailing ship called the Trimountain, in Queenstown (Cobh). They traveled to the United States with their five children. I have found their marriage record in 1831 and the baptisms for most of their children in the 1830's and 1840's in Portarlington.

I am not positive that their civil parish was Lea -- but I think it is certainly possible and seems a likely place for them to have left from. They settled in Boston, Massachusetts upon arrival -- I have found many records for them and their children in the Boston area. Thomas and Elizabeth are my 3rd great grandparents.

I have visted Ireland a number of times but have not been to Laois but hope to visit one day.

PatCarole

2 replies

Pat:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

The subscription site Roots Ireland has five baptismal records for children of Thomas and Elizabeth: Bridget 1832 Catherine 1836 Elizabeth 1845 Patrick 1847 Mary 1850. None of the records showed a townland for the family. Let me know if you don't have one of these records. Here is a link to the parish register https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0724

I have a reference book that indicates which civil parishes link to the RC parishes in a particular county. The only civil parish that links to Portarlington is Lea so your conclusion that they were from Lea civil parish is likely correct. The 1849 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing for Lea civil parish shows at least four Fitzpatricks but no Thomas. 

https://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/laois/lea.htm

You may want to add the story of Thomas and his family to our XO Chronicles site  https://www.irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/history-and-genealogy/ancestor-dat…

Have you considered DNA testing?

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Roger:

Thanks for confirming my suspicion about  the civil parish of Lea.   I did find the baptismal records you mentioned as well as one for Julia in 1833 .    Thomas is another of their children who came to the US and is listed as being born in 1843.  I couldn't find his baptism but when I browsed the records, it appears that the entire year of 1843 is missing.   Elizabeth that you mentioned did not make it to the US so I assume she must have died young.

I also looked at Griffiths and found a couple of Patrick Fitzpatricks.  Thomas's father was Patrick but given Thomas's age in 1850 -- it is quite possible his father would not be alive but it could be a brother.  

I'm thrilled to have found as much as I have.  

You suggestion that i put their story on XO Chronicles is a good one -- and I will plan to do that.

Take Care and thanks again for the information.

Pat

PatCarole

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