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Valentine Rochfort b1792 Meath

MeathTrim (Meath)

I have traced my ancestry back to Valentine Rochfort, born in Meath (somewhere) in 1792. He migrated to Bradford, Yorkshire in 1813 where he almost immediately established a worsted mill. His occupation is variously hosier or spinner. He may have had a brother Walter and his father's name may have been Benjamin. Possible parishes are Kells, Trim or Navan. I would be grateful for any information as I seem to have come to a bit of a dead end.

Michael Rochfort, Sydney, Australia.

Rochfort

6 replies

Pat

Thank you so much for taking the trouble to reply. I will try the subscription sites, but I do fear I have come to a dead end. I know the Rochfort name goes back to the 13th Century at Rochfortbridge and I have also deduced there was a family scism during the Cromwellian times. The Earl of Belvedere Rochforts must have renounced Catholicism to keep their titles. There are pockets of the family name all over Meath, Wesmeath and Kildare, and indeed now all over Ireland it seems. 

The whole ancient family were very much associated with the Augustinian order and the name Augustine has long been handed down. The Valentine Rochfort in question had it as a middle name, and there has been a Valentine Augustine Rochfort in every generatoin since up until my father. We suspect the Valentine name began with Valentine b1792 as he was born on Feb 14th. 

Michael Rochfort

 

Rochfort

Hi Michael

thanks for the reply, I am amazed at the amount who do not. I still think you would have a shot with the wills thing as I assume there was some money or property somewhere.

It sounds like they came with the Normans in 1170 and these Normans became more Irish than the Irish themselves.

Belvedere House is now in state ownership I think, done the tour about 10 years ago and heard the story about the poor woman who was required to ring a bell when she walked in the garden.

The Augustian thing caught my eye and I hope I can attach the photo of the plaque on the Drogheda Church for you too see. Why I say this is the priest there is Fr. Iggy O'Donovan who is leaving next month probably as he is too outspoken for church comfort but some reason hinted at in the local media.

He ahs actually written and lectured on the Augustians in Drogheda but I see on the local paper reviewing his career he taught history on a national level and in Rome so I assume he is well up on the Augustian History but he is going away to reflect for a while so his current address to write would be Fr. Iggy O'Donovan, Augustian Church, Shop Street, Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland or I see you can email on the official site but not sure it would get to him. focal@eircom.net  The word focal at the beginning may be the Irish word which means word or just focal as in point.

I will contact a local who knows hom and maybe I could ring him but a lot of who ha around him just now. Hope the photo attached.

 

Pat

St Peters LouthIrelandXO Volunteer

Pat, thanks again. The pic is attached. I'll contact Fr Iggy soon.

Michael Rochfort

Rochfort

Our Ratchford's came to Quebec from Trim, Meath, in 1831, and they were called "ROCHFORT". The fellow who did the emmigrating was Philip, b. 1806, and his wife Mary O'Reilly, b. 1809. They wound up in the U.S., then all over the place, as Ratchford, one as Rachford.

Philip was preceded by 2 Thomas', both from Drogheda.

IrelandXO member

Neale

Thanks for the reply. All Information is valuable. Thomas is a name often used in my family, and noting their tendency to recycle names every generation this could be some kind of lead.

Michaek Rochfort

Rochfort

Neale

Thanks for the reply. All Information is valuable. Thomas is a name often used in my family, and noting their tendency to recycle names every generation this could be some kind of lead.

Michaek Rochfort

Rochfort

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