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Dempsey's of Ballytarsna

WexfordMeelnagh (Wexford)

I guess I'll be the first to post a message to the Meelnagh group! My gr.gr. grandfather, William Dempsey, was born in Co. Wexford and emigrated to first to Canada, then to New York, then to Baltimore Maryland. He was born in the mid- to late 1820s. His obituary indicates that he was from Co. Wexford and emigrated when he was 12, so it is likely that his entire family emigrated with him, but I have no evidence on their immigration. He was a blacksmith. Although, I have no direct knowledge of his origin in Wexford, there are church records for a John Dempsey in Baltimore (who I believe is William's brother) indicating that he was fromBallytarsna. I'm wondering how to track William's origin in Wexford. I see that Meelnagh church records do not begin until quite late. I wonder if early baptisms and marriages for the people of Ballytarsna may be located in adjacent parishes? Thanks for any thoughts!

IrelandXO member

4 replies

John:

Hello again!

There are there are three Ballytarsna townlands in Co. Wexford. Besides the one in Meelnagh civil parish, there are also Ballytarsna in Carnew and Owenduff parishes. The three parishes are spread out within Wexford. 

Looking for Co. Wexford RC records is difficult because Roots Ireland (subscription site) only has about 25% of the parishes on their data base. I looked on Fin My Past (another subscription site) and there were two William Dempsey baptismal records in the late 1820s. (see below). One of the two was in Carnew RC parish which matches one of the three civil parishes.

So you have a lead. I did not find a record for a John Dempsey with the same parents. Have you considered autosomal DNA testing?

Let me know if you have any questions.

Roger McDonnell

First name(s)WillLast nameDemsyBirth year-Baptism year1826Baptism date26 Nov 1826ParishTomacorkAlternative parish namesCarnewDioceseFernsCountyWexford, WicklowCountryIrelandFather's first name(s)MickFather's last nameDemsyMother's first name(s)MaryMother's last nameDoyleRepositoryNational Library of IrelandNational Library of Ireland linkhttp://registers.nli.ie//registers/vtls000634036#page/1/mode/1upRegisterBaptism

First name(s)WmLast nameDempsyBirth year-Baptism year1829Baptism date19 Oct 1829ParishEnniscorthyDioceseFernsCountyWexfordCountryIrelandFather's first name(s)WmFather's last nameDempsyMother's first name(s)AnnMother's last nameFenlonRepositoryNational Library of IrelandNational Library of Ireland linkhttp://registers.nli.ie//registers/vtls000634057#page/1/mode/1upRegisterBaptism

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thanks once again Roger.  I had no idea that Ballytarsna could be such a popular name for a town land.  Do you know how it translates?  Thanks for looking up those two baptisms.  The first in 1826 fits some of the estimates of William's birth year.  Census records alternately list his birth as 1825 or 1830 or even 1835.  I tend to think that the elder age is the most likely (also since it was from the earliester census).  However, the parents names (Mick and Mary) don't connect well.  William had 11 children (6 boys) and none named Michael.  Doesn't make sense with Irish naming patterns.  The eldest boys are either Patrick or John (their ages flip back and forth).  The second record is a bit young and the names William and Ann fit (William's eldest daughter was Ann).  However, it's slim evidence and probably not the right one.  You've suggested autosomal DNA in both posts.  One of my Dempsey cousins has done this and has connected with a line.  I should consider doing it for my "non-Dempsey" lines I suppose.  

IrelandXO member

Hello Roger:  I should also add that William Dempsey's obituary indicates that he left Ireland at age 12.  There is a passenger record for a Patrick (age 60) and Mary (age 56) on the ship Hibernia arriving into New York in May 1839.  Their son, William, is listed as 14 in that record.  I've often wondered if this William is mine.  If so, we'd be looking for a William Dempsey born between 1825 and 1830 in Wexford whose parents are Patrick and Mary.  Just a thought.  JK

IrelandXO member

John:

I found this translation for Ballytarsna.

Ballytarsna, Ballytarsney ; cross-town; i. e. the village
or townland had a cross or transverse position.

The two records I provided were the only William Dempsey records I could find for Co.Wexford.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

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