Have initial and surname from Griffiths, now what??

[Judy B.]

I am having trouble getting to Ireland from West Derby.  Great grandfather Michael McDonald/MacDonald/McDonnell/MacDonnell was born somewhere in Ireland, in the 1840's sometime.  He appears in the English census and on marriage and birth certificates (for children) under any of these versions.  His age is not consistent on any of them.

I believe I have his marriage certificate of 21 Aug 1876, West Derby.  He is showing as Michael McDonnell with father James McDonnell (deceased) farmer.  Michael is shown as a widower.  Census only show his birthplace as Ireland.  Family members (now deceased) always claimed he was from Ballymena.  His death certificate (Canada) says Sligo.

I have the entries for J or  James (McDonald) from Griffiths and there are so many from numerous counties, I don't know where to begin!

I am not even sure of the surname, given the variations I have found on documents.  Any help, suggestions would be appreciated.  I have been going in circles with this for years, putting it on the back burner and dragging it out again. 

Thanks.

Judy

[shanew147]

edit : removed incorrect info re inclusion in Griffiths

With a common surname it might be risky to depend on Griffiths alone to locate a family.

do you have any other clues ?

sometimes even vague place names of memories or local landmarks or events can help to make a link..



Shane

[akanex2]

Griffiths includes ALL occupiers of land and householders, regardless of the size, value or lease terms for the property.  This means that provided the family lived in a separate house, the head of the family should be listed even if they were renting week to week. 

The purpose of the survey was to identify people for tax purposes so you can imagine the giovernment were keen that no one was missed out!!

[shanew147]

not sure where I remembered the land owner or long lease rule - must apply something else entirely.... as akanex2 mentioned Griffiths should include all housholds..

"...detailing the names of all the property occupiers (not simply owners) in Ireland and the value of their house and land."

my mistake..


Shane

[akanex2]

Judy

I suffered a similar problem looking for my gt gt grandfather as his name was John Davidson (very common) and I didn't know where the family came from before 1865.  I eventually tracked him down via his eldest son's birthplace (Belfast) on a census return.

I then listed all John and J Davidson/Davisons in Belfast from Griffith and compared them to street directories on the Lennon Wylie website http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/BSDStart.htm for 1861 (closest to Griffith date) to get street addresses and occupations.  When I eliminated all those who were still in Belfast after 1865 (when I knew they had moved away) I had only one possibility whose occupation fitted the information I knew from marriage and birth certificates.

Hard work - but it eventually clicked!

If you have James's former occupation and can find directories for Sligo and Ballymena, it might be worth a try.  Good luck

[akanex2]

Shane

Are you thinking of the Tithe lists from the 1830s?

[shanew147]

Shane

Are you thinking of the Tithe lists from the 1830s?

I've no idea where I remembered that from - I'll have to go and find out now so I get the picture straight. I also have to check my other posts as I've a feeling I may have posted a misleading reply at some point. 


Shane