Sullivans of Thurles

[emeloe1]

Was wondering if someone could help me find the parents (I think I have the father but not the mother!) of my great grandfather John Sullivan.  He was born in Thurles about 1864.  I know for sure he died 23 June 1942 in Thurles (the gravestone said he was 81) which makes his birth date 1861 but in the 1901 and 1911 census when he lists his age-the birth year comes out to be 1864.  I have tried to search the parish registers with little success.   He married Bridget Walsh (born: 24 Sept 1865) on 6 Feb 1888 in Drom Church, Templemore.

I think from what I remember he lists on the marriage certificate that his father's name is John O'Sullivan.  I am trying to find out the exact birthdate of my great grandfather and who exactly are his parents.  I have done a search as well on family search.org and there are very few matches.    They lived all their lives in Thurles, which is where the Sullivan (at least those early generations are from).
I know he was a farmer as well.  I was going to order the death certificate in the hopes that the parent were listed.
Thank you so much!   
Erica Meloe

[annclare]

Its possible John Sullivan's birth was just before civil registration 1864- what parish records have you looked at as if you are searching on line Thurles R.C. parish records are not on line. What townland did he live in - it would help to get the correct parish just in case its not in Thurles parish. Also Irish death records do not give parents names.
Regards
annclare

[graham saunders]

if your relatives were farmers it may be they are listed in The Griffith Valuation a survey carried out of landholders and tenants in Ireland in the mid 19th c for tax purposes  good hunting

[emeloe1]

Hi Graham and Annclare,
I did not know that Irish death records did not list parent's names. That is different than the US.  I guess I would have to get the birth record.  The only thing I know is that he was born in Thurles.   I believe he was from the Inch area-not sure though.

I do not know what parish-I could ask my cousin.  I have checked Griffith's valuation and  I saw him in there -but it does not list anything else but the name.  Wow, I can't believe it is so hard to get his mother's name-this is crazy! 
Erica

[annclare]

Is this the correct family in the Irish 1901 census?
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Tipperary/Annfield/Lissaroon/1715024/
If it is - according to the details given John may have been working for a farmer in the area rather than having his own farm. While Lisaroon townland is in Inch Civil .Parish  and the R.C. parish for this area is Inch and Drum parish - its records are online at www.rootsireland.ie so it shouldhave been possible to find his Baptism/birth record there.
However as this John did not have a land-holding it is possible he moved to the area to get work and it is possible his baptism/birth is recorded in Thurles R.C parish records - the adjoining parish. See Map for parishes in North Tipperary.
http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/browse/counties/rcmaps/tipperarynrc.htm
What parish records you have you searched ? Also what was Joh's residence given on his marriage cert - it might give some more clues.
Regards
annclare

[emeloe1]

Hi Ann Clare,
Yes, that it is him.  Margaret Sullivan is my grandmother.  I have tried to search the parish records but I do not think I had the right link as I was coming up nothing.

I do not have a copy of the marriage certificate yet -am waiting on it.  I do know he got married in Drom, Templemore on 2 Feb 1888.  His wife name is Bridget Walsh.
Thanks! 
Erica

[graham saunders]

as well as parish records south tiperary county library have an archive department with a very knowledgeable archivist called mary the library itself is based in thurles  a website www.southtippcoco.ie may give you an internet address for the library

[emeloe1]

Thanks all for the links! The parish map was very interesting!  I know John Sullivan had a sister named Catherine so I went on the www.rootsireland.ie website and did a search for him with an 1861 birth- found 1 in Tipperary. And then did one for her with about a leeway of 5 years around 1865 or so.  I found one also in Tipperary. (1867)  The parents matched and the address matched.  So I assume that it is him. I guess it could be someone else.  I know Catherine got married to a man with a last name Hickey but I do not know the marriage year.

If I am missing something just let me know! 
Erica

[graham saunders]

if you have catherine and a mr hic189key i would suggest u look at irish B.M.D. for a marriage about 1897 i know these recrds are available on ancestry so are probably available to other sites if you estblish a marriage the cert contains details of both fathers wether alive or deceased at the time