Hi Kitt,
Thank you for your message.
Unfortunately, given John?s early birth date, it may be difficult to verify that he was born in Omagh. Civil records do not start in Ireland until 1864 so prior to this we have to rely on church records. Using the Irish TImes website you can see that Catholic records for Omagh/Drumragh Catholic parish do not begin until 1846.
http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/fuses/rcparishmaps/index.cfm?fuseaction=showidrecords&CityCounty=Tyrone&parish=Drumragh&churchid=365
Church of Ireland records generally tend to have an earlier start date. Most surviving Church of Ireland records are still held by the local clergy, although some are in the National Archives of Ireland and others are in the Representative Church Body Library in Dublin. Here are their websites: http://www.nationalarchives.ie/ and http://ireland.anglican.org/about/42
Lists of these surviving registers can also be found at the National Library of Ireland.
Have you looked into John and Isabelle?s emigration? Sometimes more inforamtion was given at the port of arrival rather than that of departure so you may be able to find some new information there. For information on immigration records in Canada check the National Library and Archives at:
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/index-e.html
Some other websites that may be useful to you are:
The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/
The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx
The National Archives UK ? genealogy search: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/
The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm
Genealogy Links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/tyrone/index.html
It may also be an idea to contact the Irish World Heritage Centre in Tyrone for assistance, however a fee may apply. Here is their email:info@irish-world.com
Remember to post any new information that you find here. The more information you post, the more likely it is that one of our volunteers will be able to advise or assist you. Also include information concerning which sources you may have already used so others may further your search.
Kind regards,
Genealogy Support
