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What to do when the parish didn't keep records in the 1850/60's

MayoKilmeena (Mayo)

I was (and still am) trying to establish the birth date and location of my grand-father Thomas Garrity. His parents were John Garrity and Bridget Diver. Tom was born in 1860 and had two older brothers, Anthony (b: about 1857) and Michael (b: about 1855). The family left Ireland and settled in County Durham, England. I have very complete records of them from that point onwards, census, church and newspaper cuttings, etc., so do not need any assistance with that aspect. In the 1911 UK census Tom gave his surname as Geraghty (instead of Garrity) and stated that he was born in Mayo, Ireland.

Although I have contacted the North and South Mayo Family History centres, I had no luck. However I was told that two parishes did not keep records in the 1850/1860's. They are Kilmeena and Kilvine. It would just be my luck that my ancestors were from those parishes. Can anyone give me a clue on how to proceed? 

Donchad

2 replies

Hi Don

There are 5 birth/baptism records of Thomas Garrity with father John & mother Bridget (not Diver) in Mayo  1860 + - 10 years on www.rootsireland.ie/ ;

They are: Geraghty 1851 1869 & 1870 Gerahty 1869 & Geraty 1870

The parishes are Westport Civil Balla Civil Aglish R C and Oughval (2)

I don't know which is from which oarish.

I'm not sure whether literacy or transcription inaccuracies could make these relevant to an 1860 birth

No luck with Anthony with the same parents but there is a Michael 1842; however that record is from Burriscarra R C parish; I'm not sure if this parish is near any of the others or whether the family could have moved around a bit.

Griffiths Valuation site is down at the moment but it would be interesting to see if there were any John Garritys in Mayo and if so the parishes. The Valuation was done in Mayo in 1856-57 adn is free to search online.

Col

 

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Col,

Thanks for the information. I'll check it out and let you know how I fare. As I mentioned in my initial posting, Kilmeena and Kilvine parishes didn't keep b/m/d records in the 1850/1860's.and I'm wondering if there may be other ways to locate my kin other than visiting the parishes and wandering through the graveyards.. (Someone once told me that sometimes the priest would not record the occassion to avoid paying a fee, a sort of tax. Is that correct?). It's very fraustrating. From 1861 on I have very complete records but absolutely nothing for the years before the family left Ireland. If I succeed I plan to apply for Irish citizenship.

Donchad

 

Donchad

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