James & John Merrin, Tintern, Saltmills, Fethard-on-Sea

[Feliss]

Good evening everyone,

I am back researching my Merrin family ancestors after a break.

My John A Merrin came to Australia in 1856 to be a policeman. It seems his uncle, Patrick Larkin, was already here and paid his deposit.

According to the Griffith Valuation of 1853, John's father, James Merrin was a tenant at a property in Saltmills as follows:

County: WEXFORD
Barony: SHELBURNE
Union: NEW ROSS
Parish: TINTERN
Townland: SALTMILLS
Place Name: SALTMILLS

James was married to Mary Ann (nee Larkin). There was also a John Merrin living in Saltmills at this time, married to Catherine Larkin. It seems John may have been James Merrin's brother and that the two brothers had married two sisters.

I've read all the info about finding Irish records but I wondered about a couple of things and hope someone might have a suggestion or two.

First, does anyone ever have any success contacting a local historian or just a local history expert in small villages like Saltmills or Fethard-on-Sea? Is it common for there to be a person who has lived there all their lives and is a sort of custodian of local knowledge about the area? If so, how might one locate such a person? I've used this strategy with some success in Australia.

I am wondering about burials and Catholic churches in the area since there doesn't seem to be a Catholic church currently in use in these villages. Yet there must have been a Catholic church or two in the 1800s. I have searched online for hours and can't find any record of any.

I'm planning on visiting Ireland soon (I'm in Australia) and am interested in wandering around the old church yards.

Any ideas, thoughts, etc very welcome!

Many thanks,

Felicity

[athacliath62]

There's an old church beside the road about halfway between Fethard and Saltmills, not sure of the name but easy to find. The parish was probably Templetown.

[athacliath62]

The films of records for the parish of St. James and Templetown on the National Library http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0608

many parishes did not keep burial records, but this one include some

[Sinann]

You can see that church on this map http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V2,678133,606673,7,8
It's in the townland of Dungulph
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai003590638/
Called Poulfur
http://ferns.ie/poulfur-templetown/

[Feliss]

Thanks everyone. Much appreciated!

[dathai]

Worth following up ?
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/WEXFORD/2009-02/1235172244

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Wexford/Inch/Bryanstown/1796557/

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Wexford/Inch/Bryanstown/687188/

married 1876 New Ross
http://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details-civil/de80fe10479129

[G Tracey]

Hi fellas . Pardon lower case not a typist by any means.
Still trying to navigate roots chat. On  list of immigrants.as inspected by the immigration board . Kate. . Merrin John 18. Gardener. Tinteran?
Parents James and Mary. RC . Reads and writes . Relations in colony. .uncle Patrick Larkin, living Bathurst.health good . 5pounds r and r paid by Patrick Larkin......
I have details of some of Johns exploits as copper... Also .
Nsw police gazette 29-6-1910 Merrin John missing from 138 Glenmore rd Paddington since 5th .
John Merrin 68 y old 5 feet 10 , grey hair , whiskers , moustache . Dark suit , fawn overcoat , grey felt hat , an ex Sgt. Police..
Seem to have note somewhere not found yet , where he is found wandering....on death certificate in 1912 , stated police inspector , 16 womerah ave Darlinghurst..
As I said , I will be away out west till end of next week , so will book in after that. Any chance of a talk by phone? ^(*)  Ps Michael Merrin came out with Eliza , was in Dubbo as mounted policeman , died there at 22 y old ...

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[annclare]

Have a look at this baptismal register 31 July 1837 Looks like baptism of John Merin parents James Merin and Mary Ann Larkin.
http://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000634121#page/109/mode/1up

annclare

[athacliath62]

'Tinteran' is probably Tintern, a few km north of Fethard. If you are searching for the location online check for the old Abbey