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Johnston family from Fortland townland in Easky

SligoEasky (Sligo)

I'm trying to verify some information. Some relatives have worked on a family tree and we can only go as far back as the early 1800s.

Thomas Johnston was born 1765 and raised in Sligo Ireland. He married Eliza Kim and then remarried to Ann Shaw born 1770 and raised in Sligo Ireland. Thomas died in 1865 and Ann died in 1870 both buried in Sligo Ireland. They raised eight children in this area. They were Jane 1799, Eliza 1801, Margaret 1803, Mary 1805, John 1807, James 1809, Thomas 1811 and Andrew 1813.

Their son John married Mary West in Sligo Ireland and raised two boys. Thomas born on December 2 1832 and William James born on June 20 1834 both born in Sligo Ireland. William and his brother Thomas emigrated to Canada in 1864.

There is some info on a baptismal certificate apparently:

"William son of John and Mary Johnston of Fortland was born June 20th, 1831. Registered June 22, 1934 by Mr. Art Hurston. I certify that the above is a true copy taken from the Baptismal Registry of the Parish. Gdw B. Wood, Vicar of Easkey, the Vicarage of Easkey February 19, 1864."

I suppose I'm looking for records that support this and also if there's any way to find out more information about William and hisfamily before he (and his borther Thomas)emigrated to Canada (possibly 1860 not sure). I'm fairly new to this so hopefully I've provide enough information :)

IrelandXO member

4 replies

Hello Sonja,

I went to www.rootsireland.ie and searched for a marriage record between Thomas and Eliza Kin, and Thomas and Ann Shaw.  Drew a blank on both counts but that is to be expected as most records don't go back that far.

I searched for birth records for their children buyt was unable to find any.

I then searched for a marrige between John Johnston and Mary West but couldn't find one.

I then searched for a baptismal record for either of their two boys Thomas or William.

A very unusual thing happened.  Usually when searching using the parents names we very often come up with a record with the correct father but the mother can often be wrong.  However on this occasion I found two records for the boys listing their parents using only John as father and Mary as mother.  When I input a surname everything comes back blank.

These records can be viewed on rootsireland.ie .  It will cost about €5 each.  The site is free to join.

Thomas Johnston, father John, mother Mary, baptised 1831 in Easkey, Church oif Ireland, Sligo

William Johnston, father John, mother Mary, baptised 1834 in Easkey, Church of Ireland, Sligo

You might let us know if these are your ancestors, as we don't open or view the records.

Kind regards,

Anne

 

IrelandXO member

I think the name on that document should be Edw. rather than Gdw. In 1863 an Edward B. Woods is listed as the incumbent of Easky parish in Sligo  If so it's church of Ireland records you are looking for.

There appears to be some transcripts for this parish on RootsIreland (pay-website), going back to 1822. The RCB lists the same starting date for the historic records it holds for the parish. A search of the index confirms that baptism for William in Easkey CofI parish. The index is also showing baptisms of likely siblings John in 1836 and Thomas in 1831. (note that CoI baptisms dont usually include mother's maiden name). I had a quick look for a possible marriage for John and Mary but didn't spot anything likely.

John seems to be listed in the Tithe records, with property in Fortland townland, but cant access the details for some reason at the moment..

There is just one Johnston/Johnson listed for Fortland townland at the time of Griffith's, which is dated 1857 for this area, a John occupying a house with 7 acres of land.

 

 

shanew147IrelandXO Volunteer

Hello Anne

Thank you so much for such a quick reply! It does seem as those two baptismal records are for Thomas and William. I will look some more on rootsireland.ie. 

Sonja

IrelandXO member

Thank you for this information! I will look into rootsireland some more too, it seems like it might be worth paying for.

Sonja

IrelandXO member

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