Looking for John O'melia and Anne Johnston 1800s

Thank you so much ffor responding and searching.  I have been searching high and low also.  I paid my subscription to rootsireland and have been trying every combination possible without success- a few possibilities perhaps. I have so many questions - sorry.  

Is the Griffith's data I found irrelevant because of the death date for John(1844) and the emgration date for Patrick(1846-7)?  Because these dates are estimates only based on stories passed down and the dates vary greatly in the stories.  If Griffith's was published in 1857, the actual info would have to have been gathered quite some time prior due to the massive undertaking that it was.  What date do you think the actual info was collected in Achill?

What  we know about Patrick is this: 

1) Patrick is found on the Canada Census in 1852, as an orphan, living with his adoptive(informally) parents.  He is listed as born in Ireland and Roman Catholic(adoptive family was Methodist.)  This is the earliest record we have to-date.

2) On Patrick's marriage record in 1865, he lists his parents as John Melia and Ann Mellia..  

3) Patrick lists his birthdate on many documents later in his life as March 17, 1839.  However, I have been told that this date is suspicious because of the holiday.  His age on the Canada census in 1852 is shown as 19 which does not correspond to the birthdate of 1839  So, I am thinking this 1839 date is probably just a guess and perhaps could vary 5 years either direction.  Would you agree? 

Perhaps I should broaden my "net" a bit.  For example:

Patrick's birthdate 1834-1844

Father's death date (John) 1834-1851

Father's birth date 1795-1810

Date of emigration(1835-1851)

Parents marriage date 1815-1830

 Also, in our family notes the Johnston surname is mentioned as "we think her name was Johnston."  So, perhaps that is incorrect.

Did church parish records begin in Achill in the 1860's.  If so, then the lack of a birth record or marriage record doesn't necessarily that they weren't there- right?

Thank you again for your assistance,

Kim

Hello

In fact, we are planning a trip to Ireland this spring. Wesport is as far north as we are currently planning to visit but Achill sounds beautiful.  Perhaps we will consider a visit there.

Writing letters is an interesting idea and thank you for the suggestion.  I may do that but I want to follow up on a couple of other leads first.

I have regrouped and started searching the tithe applotment records since my ancestors left prior to Griffith’s.  I found a couple of items and wondered if you would give me your opinion as to whether they are worth pursuing.  They are actually in Leitrim and although that is outside of your area, I wondered if you would mind sharing your opinion since you are familiar with the names, etc.

The only John Omelia found in the Tithe Applotments is located in Fenagh Beg(townland) in 1833.  He is not found there later in Griffith’s that I can find.  I searched for an Ann Johnston in the area and found a baptismal record for one in Kiltoghert(Church of Ireland), baptized 1810, father Robert, mother Jane.  Kiltoghert is within 15-20 miles of Fenagh Beg.   Robert Johnston is not found in Kiltoghert in the Tithe Applotments but is found there later in Griffith’s.  I searched for anything that could disprove a connection between John Omelia and Ann Johnston and have found nothing yet.  Do you think this is worth pursuing and if so what steps would be next?

Another note – some of my family stories indicate that Patrick’s mother and father might have been of different religions.  Were there religious prejudices at that time that could have impacted a Roman Catholic/Church of Ireland marriage in the 1830’s?  For example, would they have possibly been shunned by their families, etc.? 

Thanks again for your help.

kim

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