Tracing my g-g-grandfather Thomas Reilly home to Navan
Hello,
My name is Hazen and I live in Ballarat, Australia, and I am totally absorbed with tracing my Irish ancestors (thank goodness I am recently retired). My primary Irish family branches/lines are Cleary/Flynn; Reilly/Smyth; Walton/O'Brien and I haven't even touched the English side! I am concentrating on the Reilly/Smyth branch at the moment and my g-g-grandfather Thomas REILLY has led me to Navan. In 1838 Thomas was convicted of robbery, along with 3 others, and was sentenced to 15 years transportation to Australia. Once I connected with his convict past it opened many doors but where things have decidely slowed is because of the gap in Navan records from 1813 to 1842 for baptisms and marriage records not starting to 1853.I believe that Thomas was born abt 1817.
It would be great to connect with some family history buffs in Navan especially if they have some Reilly ancestors. I am planning my visit to the home country for next September. It seems a long way a way but I have a fair bit of researching to do before I go.
I have attached the information I have about Thomas as well as a letter prepared for his mother Bridget seeking leniency for Thomas, unfortunately it was not successful. In my notes there is reference to a 1821 Census which is most interesting.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Hazen.