ROGAN of County Down

[nelyducks]

I am searching for my G Grandfather James Rogan from County Down. There isn't much information that I can give other than he immigrated to America in 1870 and went to Pittsburgh to live. There he met Ann Hughes from Armagh and married, raising 6 children one of which was my grandmother Rose. James had 2 brothers that I know of, Patrick, born Nov 1858 and Michael. I do not know his birth date. The parents of James were Patrick Rogan and Kati Smith. Kati is what the family in Pittsburgh has written to me, but her name could be Katherine/Catherine. Kati was born in County Down in 1824 and Patrick in 1822. The family is Catholic so the children must have been baptised. Not sure if there was a brith registration for the children. Any help that you can give will be greatly appreciated. I am hoping that I can trace the family a little farther back in time.

Thank you
Art

[aghadowey]

Civil registration of births in Ireland started in 1864 so there will be no birth certificates for earlier dates. Registration of Catholic marriages also began in 1864 (from 1845 for other marriages, including Registry Office). Therefore you need to search for existing church records (pre-1850 many records do not survive, not all that do will be found online). To search Irish records you need to know fairly precisely where the family lived (parish if not actual townland).

Any idea if Patrick and Michael Rogan stayed in Ireland?

Have a look at Introduction to Irish Records and My Ancestor came from Ireland - where do I start?.

[nelyducks]

Aghadowey, Patrick and Michael immigrated from Ireland and became police officers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am trying to trace them now. One other item that is from a history letter from one of the family back in Pittsburgh. James Rogan was to have mined coal under the Irish Sea. I don't know how that is done or if it is done. But could be a hint as to where the family might have came from. He was living with a aunt in Wales while digging coal. It is hard to trace James as he had a run in with a minister who was saying bad things about nuns and a altercation ensued. James had to leave Ireland on a freighter and get to America, as the police werer after him,  so he is really hard to trace thru the transcribers guild. All of this was in the little history that was sent to me.  I will look at the sites you mentioned in you last mail and see what I can find. This is not much, my only hope is to find a record that has Patrick Rogan and Kati Smith in it, or this is the end of my quest. I have sent the only picture of James Rogan that I have. Not in too good a shape.

Thanks again

Art

[aghadowey]

Not sure about police pension records for Pittsburgh but I was trying to trace an Irish relative who was in Bronx (N.Y.) police dept- all I had was a photo with his name written on the back but his numbers could easily be seen on uniform. I wrote a letter and was sent information from pension record (date joined, date left, address, next of kin, when he married, etc.).
Might also be worth checking Pittsburgh newspapers for obituaries of Patrick, Michael and James (in case they mention a birthplace in Ireland).
Shame James' photograph in in such bad condition- do you have the orginal? If you can post a good scan the people on Photo Restoration board can probably clean it up for you.

[nelyducks]

I wish I did have a better photo, I really like the old photo's of the Irish. They look so intent. That is a photo that was sent to me by cousin's in New Eagle, Pa. I know that there must have been more photo's, but who has or had them. Like most, they were probably thrown out.  My side of the family, Neely's who I thought were German when I first started out researching 10 years ago,  are 100% Irish. I have found many pictures, but can't tell you where in Ireland they are from. As for the Rogan's, I will try to see if there is anyone in the family back in Pittsburgh that knows anymore. I haven't visited them in many years and the last of the Rogan daughter's family, just passed away before Christmas.
Thanks

Art