RootsChat.Com
Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Donegal => Topic started by: benfed on Tuesday 06 August 24 21:27 BST (UK)
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Good day,
I will be visiting Co. Donegal next month in the hopes of tracing my Breslin/Breshlin/Bresland line. I've been having an exceedingly difficult time pin-pointing my specific ancestors as the names seem to be very common in the area, and record coverage has been a hurdle. Based on DNA testing and other research, I believe the Ardara region seems to be the likely region of origin.
Cornelius Breslin and Margaret Sheerin had the following issue:
Mary Breslin b. 1817
James Breslin (my direct ancestor, changed to Bryson in America) b. June 1825
Any advice or knowledge of these surnames would be much appreciated.
Ben
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Hi,
You are probably on your Irish trip at the moment.
Unfortunately your search is like looking for a needle in a haystack!
Do you know when James arrived in the US? Have you checked the ship's manifests on Ancestry? You might be lucky and find that a parent 's name and address as next of kin may be found on them.
Have you been able to access James' Naturalization records? Often on these records the location of the townland area and the parents names were recorded on these documents. Sometimes they might just say Donegal.
Did you have any very close DNA matches that currently live in Donegal? Have you contacted any of them as they might have information on the area/parish your Breslan/Sheerin families came from.
Headstones can be another valuable resource in trying to find Ancestors however in the early to mid 1800's most of the poorer people would mark a family grave with a simple stone. Later on when their family who emigrated to the US would pay for a lovely headstone to be put up in their memory.
Some Headstone sites www.igp-web.com/headstones index searchable
www.historicgraves.com also searchable
www.findagrave.com/donegal
As you already know these surnames are so common in Donegal it is so difficult to pinpoint the parish/district where James came from.
Donegal is a stunning area and even if you don't find your relations there you will still have a wonderful time.
Best of luck,
Mary
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Just seen this post I'm in the same boat unable to locate my Bridget Briesland who married my 3x grandfather' James harkin.
Have you done a dna test
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Just seen this post I'm in the same boat unable to locate my Bridget Briesland who married my 3x grandfather' James harkin.
Have you done a dna test
Are you wanting us to look or are you making contact with benfed the OP?
If you need a hand could you provide more details such as some apx dates and religion
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Have you looked on find my past?
http://www.findmypast.co.uk
lots of Breslin/Breshin/Bresland on donegal genealogy
http://www.donegalgenealogy.com
then type in green box family name or Ardara
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If you are referring to the OP, he/she only made one post and hasn't been online here since last August.
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Thanks for that I've have got my wires crossed on Bridget Bresland