the rourkes

[julius72]

I have been researching my Irish heritage. The family were last traced in 1841 in Prescot,Eccleston. The family were in an Irish household in Liverpool st but my problem is tracing the family back to the Irish county they come from. Any ideas of how to progress further? Does anyone know about Irish immigration to the area?

[CaroleW]

There was free passage between England/Wales/Scotland/Ireland so no passenger lists etc

Have a look at

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,442233.0.html

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,498742.0.html
 

[julius72]

Thanks Carole, I will have a look at the sites.

[winnie brown]

My relations were Rourkes and came from C Sligo My g grandfather had a farm in Harry Town in Romily Cheshire  . They were called Mary and Peter Rourke and had a daughter Anne born 20/4/1884 if i have the right family for you let me know

[julius72]

Well thanks for that Winnie; the family I am looking for came to Prescot/St Helens in 1841, if we can trust the census figures. There was great Irish immigration  in that area from 1800 onwards. The problem is,as you probably know, the census figures rarely give the places of birth apart from 'Ireland'.
I am now looking at the charge sheets that the police force is known to have, where a more detailed account might have been written down. Obviously the people needed to have committed an offence! Many Irish people worked at the chemical works nearby and there might be some added information on the employment record if,indeed, they exist. Thanks once again for the reply. 

[winnie brown]

No probs good luck my family were connected to smithfield market in manchesterand had a shop there selling fish and poultry until they all retired and guess what went back to Ireland they are all dead now and are in a cemerty in s ireland Nice chatting with you 

[garstonite]

I have been researching my Irish heritage. The family were last traced in 1841 in Prescot,Eccleston. The family were in an Irish household in Liverpool st but my problem is tracing the family back to the Irish county they come from. Any ideas of how to progress further? Does anyone know about Irish immigration to the area?

Could you give us some names ? ...St Mary The Virgin ,Prescot is the local C of E church ...I presume that any marriages would have been in Liverpool in Catholic churches ...
www.liverpoolhistoryprojects.co.uk
Roman Catholic Marriages 1837 -1901
may have some details for you ....125 Rourke marriages on record on that site
good luck
allan

[garstonite]

Might I suggest you Personal Message Stephen Nulty ...a member on this site who is an expert on bmd`s in Prescot ....and is very very helpful .....very knowledgeable on Prescot ...

allan

[julius72]

Thanks for the interest re. Rourkes. I have traced the family back to 1841. The census shows the family living in Liverpool St, Prescot, Eccleston together with other families born in Ireland. The family comprises of James & Margaret and the children, Michael,William,Maria,Margaret,Catherine,Julia. Julia has an indicated age of 2 months and the birth took place in Ireland. This is the problem. The census figures say 'Ireland'. If this is true, then the family have just arrived from Ireland, but from where? I asked the original question because I thought it was possible that the 'Rourkes' came from a particular part of Ireland. Inconveniently
they don't!

James, one of the children above, was 16years old in 1841. I have a marriage certificate showing that he married Mary Kearns in 1852 in the Lowe House Chapel according to Roman Catholic rites. Thanks again for your tips.