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Summers vs Sommers

SligoTawnagh (Sligo)

I'm researching my husband's (and my children's) ancestors who I believe are from Tawnagh. Our family arrived as 3 siblings, James Patrick, Patrick James, and Catherine. Our direct ancestor chose to spell his name as Summers and moved to Chicago after arriving in Massachusetts. His siblings stayed in Massachusetts and chose to spell the name Sommers. Does anyone know which spelling I should pursue? Is there a Gaelic spelling? I have not been able to trace past our immigrant James Patrick Summers.

ewolnski@sbcgl…

3 replies

Elizabeth:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

Exactness of spelling surnames was not that important in 19th century Ireland. Many could not read or write. I looked up the baptismal records of the children and the transcription of the records for the three children you mentioned showed SOMERS. I also located another likely sibling named Anne and as you can see below, the transcription shows SUMMERS. 

You can look at the records on the parish register here      https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0565 ;  

Roger McDonnell

Name:Anna SummersDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:28-Jan-1856Address:
Parish/District:RIVERSTOWNGender:FemaleCountyCo. Sligo
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:PatrickMother:Margaret SummersOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Henry Doogan Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Maria Samers 

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you Roger. When I click on the link, error says URL not found. Where did you find the transcriptions of the original three? Elizabeth

 

ewolnski@sbcgl…

Elizabeth:

Not sure why the link is not working (it did not work for me either). Second try.  https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0565 ;  If this link does not work, try the main NLI link  https://registers.nli.ie/ ;  Enter Tawnagh in the search box on the upper right.  

I found the baptismal records on the subscription site Roots Ireland. See transcriptions below. Riverstown and Tawnagh are the same parish.

Roger

Name:Catherina SomersDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:29-Jun-1853Address:
Parish/District:RIVERSTOWNGender:FemaleCountyCo. Sligo
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:PatrickMother:Margaret KellyOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Patrick Doogan Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Catherina Somers 

 Name:Patrick SomersDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:23-Jan-1859Address:
Parish/District:RIVERSTOWNGender:MaleCountyCo. Sligo
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:PatrickMother:Maria KellyOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:John Dignan Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Maria Bowles 

Name:James SomersDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:15-Sep-1861Address:
Parish/District:RIVERSTOWNGender:MaleCountyCo. Sligo
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:PatrickMother:Margaret KellyOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Patrick Dunleen Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Bridget Somers 

Notes:

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

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