Hello from Downunder
I've hit a brick wall trying to research my great grandparents.
James Meenaghan born 1851 and
Catherine Meenaghan (nee Boylan) born abt 1859.
They lived in Gortmellia. If anyone can give me any information on them I'd be most
appreciative.
Thanks
Phil
Hi Phil,
I found a record for James Meenaghan on rootsireland.ie in Mayo births/baptisms. I searched James Meenaghan 1851 + - 1 the 2 but got no matches. + - 3 got a match James Menehan born 1848.
If you purchase the record (about $8 I think) it will give you the parents' names and the parish.
I couldn't find a marriage record or a birth record for Catherine Boylan however.
If you get the parents' names and the parish you could check the Griffiths Valuation (done in Mayo 1856-7) to see where they were living - there are 36 Menehans in Mayo on Griffiths - just google it - it is free to search.
The Tithe Applotments 1823-27 are also free to search.
Col
Col
Many thanks for that, I hadn't even considered a variant on the surname. I'll purchase some credits and
hopefully strike gold.
One question if you don't mind, is Knocknalower, where I've found some records, the same as Knock?
Cheers
Phil
Phil:
Gortmellia and Knocknalower are both townlands in Kilcommon civil parish. They are about 3-4 miles apart with Gormellia to the west in North Mayo. The closest village is Pollatomish. There is no connection with Knock. The 1901 census for Gortmellia shows three Meeneghan families. The third one is likely your family.
Roger McDonnell
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Mayo/Knocknalower/Gortmellia/1581310/
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Mayo/Knocknalower/Gortmellia/1581309/
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Mayo/Knocknalower/Gortmellia/1581313/
Thanks Roger
I've now got a map of Mayo.
You were right, my family is the third one on your list.
I've only just found out that there is no birth/baptism record or marriage record for either of my Great Grandparents. The only way for me to get through this brick wall is, if there is a civil record of their marriage.
The civil records office for Co. Mayo is in Castlebar. Has anyone had any experience in arranging a search at this office?
Any help would be most appreciated.
Cheers
Phil
Phil:
No luck finding a civil marriage index record. Is it possible that her name was other than Boylan? I did find what may be her civil death index record. If you want a copy of this record, you would have to contact the GRO www.groireland.ie Fill out their form and provide the quarter/year of death, registration district (Belmullet) and the Volume and Page number ( 4 and 41). Costs around 4 euros. I have never used the Castlebar office.
Roger McDonnell
First Name: Kate
Hi Roger
Fast work.
I found that one too on Family Search, I think it must be her. I also found one for James, died in 1939, I'm pretty sure that's him as well.
If the birth's of both of them had been civilly registered, should those records also appear on the Family Search site? If the answer is yes, I'm flogging a dead horse.
Cheers
Phil
Phil:
Both births occurred before civil registration started in 1864 so you should not expect to find a birth record on www.familysearch.org I did look at the catalog on that site and there were three RC churches in Kilcommon parish. I ruled out Belmullet because it is across the water from Gortmellia. Not sure which parish they belonged to: Kiltane or Kilmore. According to the catalog their records start in 1860 which eliminates baptisms but marriages may be in play. The Mormons have 1860-1880 records for one church and 1860-1881 for the other church. James and Catherine probably got married 1880-1882.
Roger
Phil:
Both births occurred before civil registration started in 1864 so you should not expect to find a birth record on www.familysearch.org I did look at the catalog on that site and there were three RC churches in Kilcommon parish. I ruled out Belmullet because it is across the water from Gortmellia. Not sure which parish they belonged to: Kiltane or Kilmore. According to the catalog their records start in 1860 which eliminates baptisms but marriages may be in play. The Mormons have 1860-1880 records for one church and 1860-1881 for the other church. James and Catherine probably got married 1880-1882.
Roger
Thanks again Roger
After what you said, I've done some digging.
Gortmellia was in the parish of Kiltane, which was later transferred to Kilcommon-Erris.
Catherine's family, the Boylans were a large farming family. There must be a record of their marriage somewhere.
The search continues.
Cheers
Phil
Hi Roger and Col
A very nice man in Dublin checked the Kiltane Parish records for me and said there was nothing for
James and Catherine.
I have now decided to go further back, in time, than their birthdates.
I have found a James Menaghan from Gortmellia in the Griffiths valuation but I'm having problems establishing his exact address and was wondering if you'd mind looking at the records (3 of them)
and let me know what you think.
MENAGHAN JAMES MAYO KILCOMMON
MENAGHAN JAMES MAYO KILCOMMON
MENAGHAN JAMES MAYO KILCOMMON
I tried to copy and paste the records but they were all over the place..
Cheers
Phil
Phil:
I went to www.askaboutireland.ie They have the Griffiths and additional details plus maps including a satelite version. I assume all three plots are for the same person. The first plot 13 has houses and about 8 acres of land, There are also other tenants. The second plot 27 is solely rented by James Menaghan and is over 200 acres. The third plot 28 has 20 acres and there are a number of tenants but James Menaghan is not listed.
Roger
Hi Roger
I'm amazed, I didn't know you could get all of that information from the Griffith's Valuation. I did study those 3 references for a couple of hours and I know I've still got a lot to learn. I did see the site of someone's castle and an Irish Church Mission schoolhouse, which was a surprise.
Is there any way to link these sites with the houses that the Meenaghan's (Meeneghan) lived in on the 1901 Census, namely 25, 26 and 29.
I really appreciate the help you are giving me.
Cheers
Phil
Phil:
More background regarding the area. The schoolhouse is mentioned. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlmayo2/kilcommon_erris_cp_characteristics.html
I'm not an expert on Griffiths but I presume the 1901 houses were part of plot 8. The 25, 26 and 29 numbers were arbitrary by the constable who collected the census returns. A constable would come into a townland and walk around and number the houses as he visited them.
Roger
Has anyone done a search of the Griffith’s Revision Books (Griffith's Valuation) for Co. Mayo?
The Northern Ireland ones are available on line but the others are on microfilm.
I was wondering what the procedure was for searching these ones.
Phil:
I've used microfilm in the past. The Mormon Church has the films. Film number is 0857681. Order online at www.familysearch.org and view the film at a local Mormon Family History Center.
Roger
https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/152816?availability=Family%20History%20Library
Roger
You are a font of knowledge.
I've ordered the microfim and will let you know the outcome.
Cheers
Phil