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Spain family of Nenagh

TipperaryNenagh (Tipperary)

According to the 1901 census my great-great-grandfather Charles Spain, who was at that time living in Dublin, was born in Nenagh approx 1833. His second wife Margaret (aka Gretta) Birmingham or Bermingham also came from Tipperary, and they were married at Borrisokane in 1873 (I am descended from his first wife Mary Anne (or Marian) Martin from Dublin.) Charles Spain describes himself in the census as a 'landed proprietor'. He left a substantial estate at his death in 1908 (have found it in the probate records); unfortunately his daughters lost it to an investment scam, but that's another story. Can anybody give me any information about Charles's ancestors? I am having no luck at all with on-line resources, which are very patchy before the mid-19th century. Thanks!

Cornishfern

9 replies

Your Charles appears to be Catholic, and registers for the RC parish of Nenagh go back to the 1790s, (John Grenham / Irish Times) although there are a few gaps, so there may be a baptism for Charles included in these. Transcript for the parish are included on the North Tipperary section on RootsIreland (pay-website), or later in the summer you could check the Images of the register online, when the the National Library project is complete.

There are a number of entries for the surname Spain in Nenagh civil parish in North Tipperary on Griffith's Valuation (AskAboutIreland.com), father to your Charles be be one of these...  The valuations are dated 1852 for this area

p.s. do you have a civil marriage record for either of Charles' marriages ?
This should give his father's name and occuaption, which would bring you back one step and help narrow the search ..

shanew147IrelandXO Volunteer

Thanks ever so much! That's great news about the baptisms going back to 1790s and the National Library digitsation being so nearly complete. Need to do Griffiths Valuation next. re Charles's marriages, I have the index records for the civil marriage records, but nothing about father's name/occupation on those, so I probably need to look for the real thing? It's so frustrating to have a list of names and not know who any of the people were. No Spains mentioned in either index record.

Next up I need to look at Martin Maher of Boolareagh and the Mahers of Parkmore. - presumably both come under Roscrea.

Thanks again.

Cornishfern

There are a number of people with the Spain surname in the area at the time, so the marriage cert is a good way to be sure you are on the right trail back in Nenagh.  These research certs, cost €4 from the GRO, and order - download the order form from this link (it's an MSWord document), print out a copy. Enter your details in section 1, and your credit card details in section 3. Put the index references for the record you wish to order (name, reg. district, record type, year/quarter, page & volume) in section 2  - ignore the irrelevant sections on the form such as exact date or birth etc, the forms are more geared to modern official certs for legal purposes. In section 3 tick the 'photocopy' option to select the cheaper research certs. Post (or fax) the completed form to the GRO, the head office address is at the top of the form.

The GRO is overseen by the Dept.of Social Protection or Welfare which is why the website has the welfare.ie address.

Certs are normally delivered by post, but you can opt for delivery by email by ticking the option in section 1 and including an email address.

 

 

shanew147IrelandXO Volunteer

The name Spain also crops up in an adjoining parish of Silvermines (Kilmore).

GleesonSilvermines

Charles Spain was a noted landlord in Nenagh and died in Sandymount in Dublin. He donated a substantial amount of money to build St Mary of the Rosary Church Nenagh and I think that he had a son who became a priest having studied in Maynooth. There area various references to him in the archives of the Nenagh Guardian which is availble to view on wwww.irishnewsarchives.com for a subscription.

 

Tippgal

 

 

 

Charles Spain's father name was Roderick Spain and his mother was Julia Corbett and their address was, 1 Castle Street Nenagh. My family name is also Spain and I'm wondering if you would have any photos to see if there is any resemblance to my Spain.   Yours Gerry Spain

 

 

 

IrelandXO member

Hi, Gerry and Tippgal

No photos earlier than 1930s that I know about I'm afraid.

Re. Charles Spain donating money to the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary: I think Dr Thomas Spain gave a lot of money for that project too and is remembered in a big stained glass window  (his will was proved by the Bishop of Killaloe), but I'm still not sure how Dr Thomas fits in with the other Spains of that time.

Re. a priest Spain: one of Charles's grandsons, Rev Harry Spain, worked in Minnesota for his entire life from about 1920, having been ordained in ireland for Duulth diocese. But I'm sure there was an earlier Rev Spain too, as I've just turned up some newspaper articles about a huge row in Nenagh in 1849, and the Ulster Banner 4 Dec 1849 mentions in passing that the Rev Nicholas Power (whose removal from the parish after 20 years caused massive demonstrations, boarding up of the chapel, deputations, etc.) had two curates, Rev Messrs Spain and O'Meara, and all three of them had ministered to their flock during a cholera epidemic. Bishop Kennedy of Killaloe, who the townspeople were protesting to, allegedly said he had 'scattered the great men of Nenagh' by doing so. Presumably alluding to Rody Spain and Dr Thomas Spain who were much invovled in the protests, as was a Mr O'Meara. Recommended reading - it's a fast-moving story!

So, has anybody got any idea of the given name of Rev Spain who worked in Nenagh in the 1840s or how he was related to Rody and/ or Thomas?

Thanks!

Cornishfern

Hi

Just read your query re Spain Family.

Charles Spain Son of Rody Spain and Julia Corbett married Marianne MArtin of Baggott Street circa 09.09.1865.

His Sister Mary Spain MArried Denis Gleeson, Shalee, Silvermines In Nenagh circa 16.02.1859.

I feel that Rody Spain's brother Rev Fr John Spain who among other postings was Parish Priest of Birr when he passed away circa 18.06.1875.

Charles Spain had a sister who joined the Sisters of Mercy, Pasonstown, Birr, Co.Offaly circa 13.05.1848.

Rev Fr Michael Spain who was Parish Priest of Kilcoleman and Sharavogue, Birr, Co/Offaly died at Boveen, Birr in or around 24.01.1844 aged 87 years and was formerly from Nenagh.

 

I hope that this helpful to ur research.

P.J. Maxwell

IrelandXO member

Hi PJ & Gerry

the aarchives section of Maynooth College , which was the training college for the priests for the Diocese of  Killaloe have details of all the priests that were ordained there since the late 1700s. Also the Archivist with the Sisters of Mercy may have also some information for you www.sistersofmercy.ie .

There is also a very active group researching the Gleeson families ( and those who they married) from the North Tipperary area and they can be contacted through either their facebook page- Gleeson Genealogy Forum or through their blogspot http://gleesongathering.blogspot.ie/

hope that helps

Tippgal

 

 

Tippgal

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