How do I find?

[Norma]

My Gr.Gr.Grandfather Patrick McGrath came from Ireland is all that Iknow.  I have no idea where or what year.

Is there any way to find out where in Ireland he was from?

[boblyles]

If you take your year of birth and subtract 25 years for each generation you go back, you can find an approximate year that someone was born.  The big event in Ireland was the Potato famine, which triggered a lot of immigration.  I like to study history of a country before tackling geneolgy questions.  I search for names of places for a persons name to help me guess where the most likely place someone is from.  Street names and names of rivers, creeks, and other places can be found through searches.  There are many search engines available.  If you need futher help, then ask questions through this forum.  There are many people willing to help.  Obviously you have the ability to discover many things, since you were able to find this web site.  Good luck  Bob Lyles  Mississippi, USA

[Norma]

Thank you for your reply - I guess I should have been a little more specific in my query.
I know that Patrick was born around 1858 and was naturalized in the US in 1874.  He married in Conn. the year 1878.
I also know that it takes two to five years for naturalization so that would mean he came to America sometime between 1869 and 1874.
Now, with that information, is there anyway for me to find out where my Patrick came from in Ireland and how and when he came to US of A

[boblyles]

Mr mcgaff came to the USA prior to Ellis island, so that is not a solution.  Passenger ship lists are almost hopeless - I've never found anyone there.   There are census records of Ireland back to the at least 1821.  some mcgaff's have occupations listed  as shoemaker, mason, and even priest.  So I've been no help, but I still wish you luck.  Bob

[Norma]

Thank you again for your reply Bob.  I have discovered that the majority of McGraths and variants of that name, came from County Clare.  Griffith's lists at least ten Patrick McGraths.  Not knowing the parish, leaves me practically nowhere!

[boblyles]

Sorry for misspelling Mcgrath.  I did my searching using the correct spelling.  The Mcgraths are in many places in Ireland and England, still today.  I read somewhere there were 80, 000 families worldwide.   Geneology is very challenging, but very rewarding, especially when you find someone important with your family name.  My father wanted me to find out about the relative that was hanged for stealing a horse.  I didn't find him, but I did find one who printed counterfeit money, before the american revolutionary war.  LOL  Bye  Bob  

[Berlin-Bob]

Hi Norma,

just looking through some older postings, while "spring cleaning" .... and moved your post here, as I thought with all the "new" members on RootsChat since you posted  this query, maybe someone here could help you out ....

Just an idea:  You say he was naturalized, and you also say that married in Connecticutt - did he also get naturalized in Conn., maybe you could find his naturalization records there, which should supply some more information  ... ?

Good luck,
Bob

[Norma]

Thanks Bob
I haven't searched for the Naturalizatin papers for him yet, because I have so many unknowns on him, including an exact age.  His headstone says one thing and Census records vary as much as eight years.