RootsChat.Com

Hi. First time on the site for me. Your post about Thomas caught my eye. My Gr Gr grandfather Dennis  (Denis) Rourke was likely from Galway and I have been searching for years for the exact spot. He was born in 1834. His parents were James Rourke and Cecelia Heath (this information comes from his death certificate). He had a younger brother James (born 1843) who also emigrated to New York State. The obituary of Dennis says he also had brothers Thomas, Patrick and James all living still in Ireland. Dennis died in 1901 and is buried in Williamstown, New York. He was a prosperous farmer. I have never been able to find birth/baptismal records for him. The only information I have that he was from Galway is in a local history book for the town of Williamstown written during his lifetime that states he was born in Galway, Ireland.
I do not know if your Thomas is a brother of my Denis. I have found information on some Rourkes living near Cloonfagna in the Parish of Ballynakill including a James Senior and Junior and a Patrick.
Another possibility  is from Griffiths Valuation list that a James, John, and Thomas Rourke were tenants in the Parish of Kiltartan, Town of Lissatunny near Gort from 1847-1864.