Irish Ancestry

[aj]

thanks again Pat! keeping this one running!

My Roe gang seem to have stopped along the road (railway?) to Southport at Elswick, got married, died etc gone to Southport, back to Elswick (same gardening job) and returned and finally settled in Southport!

 In Elswick and then in Southport and back again if you see what I mean, they are gardeners and then later fixed occupations linked to the railway (up to and including my grandfather) - then strangely my Dad (Roe side of the family) though he escaped his heritage ( railway trade by this time!)and made it to an extended education! guess what.. he marries a market gardener's daughter! Blimey, race memory is the term that springs to mind...

But I know the obvious more recent stuff, want to go back to Ireland!

Ahh... good luck to anyone else hitting the Ireland word! and big thanks for help here trying to work it all out.
I know that I really do have to go and try some serious research now, rather than hoping that there is an easy forum answer!

Amanda

[Patk]

Dear Bunny and Amanda

That is bad news that the files are being shifted to the NZ National Archives and that one has to now pay!, but I guess that is still quite inexpensive if you do find an ancestor. Good luck anyway, I had never previously heard of your family name, but I do think it is unusual, has a French ring to it. Have you tried the CMC boards, they seem to be listing a lot more records and it might help you to list on all the County forums, where your name occurs.
Amanda, thanks for the update. That is what I really love about the Irish, they worked so hard, and each generation afterwards improved their lot, I am sure this is because of their ancestors hard work ethic. Do not knock the forums!!, you never know a connection may yet read about your endeavors and have all the answers. Hope beats eternal etc.
Regards to you both,
Pat

[Jillie42]

So frustrated! Arrrhhh (ahem - sorry about that ) I've been trying to find my Catholic Harrington ancestors. Initially I thought "Cornelius" would be an easy person to locate since it was an unusual Christian name. Ha! not with the Irish it wasn't! my Gt Grandfather was born in Westminster but his birth was never registered. Consequently I can't find out the maiden name of his mother. Both his parents came from Ireland but didn't give a county.

Eventually, I managed to track down his Christening and his first and second marriages to St Mary's, Horseferry Road in the Westminster Catholic Archives ( not an easy place to locate!) he wasn't born in 1856 as his marriage certificate and subsequent census returns indicate - he was born in 1854. The records are all in latin of which I have only a limited knowledge. His mother's madien name was Collins - no first name . His sponsors were Dennis Collins and Johanna Conolly. Both obviously very common Irish names.

At his first marriage his wife was Mary Sullivan, her father was Daniel and the witnesses were James Harrington and Anna Sullivan. Again, there weere loads of Sullivans in the Westminster area in 1875. At his second marriage both witnesses were Williams and seem to have no irish connection.

I'd hoped that the other Irish surnames would state a County in Ireland - but they haven't. They just state Ireland

[MarieC]

Jillie42

You are the first person I have found on Rootschat who has said they've been to the Westminster Catholic Archives!

Would you mind telling me something about them?  I've been told they are only open part-time and don't have an email address, and as I am in Australia, that is not helpful!

I am searching for ancestors called Martin who lived in London and were Catholic (therefore C of E records are not helping me, except for marriages).  Do you know if these Archives hold Catholic parish records for the areas of St Pancras and Marylebone?

This brick wall is driving me mad!  Any information at all about the Catholic Archives will be most gratefully received!! 

MarieC

[liverpool annie]

Hi Marie!

This might seem a bit overwhelming - but it's Catholic!! 

http://home.att.net/~local_Catholic/Catholic-Ireland.htm

Annie 

[MarieC]

Thanks Annie!!

That's a terrific resource and I'm sure it will help many people.  Unfortunately, my Catholic ancestors were in London (which is why I need to know about the Westminster Archives) and my Irish ancestors were Church of Ireland!!  Can't win, can I?

MarieC

[liverpool annie]

Heres information !!

About the Westminster Diocesan Archives

The Westminster Diocesan Archives contain material relating to the history of the Diocese and also to the history of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. The Archives also hold a small number of sacramental registers, mainly dating from the nineteenth century. However, the majority of sacramental registers are kept by individual parishes.

If you wish to consult the Archives, you must make an appointment with the Archivist. A letter of recommendation is normally required, for example frim an academic supervisor. Since the Archivist is a priest with parish duties, the collection is normally only accessible two days a week. It is also closed for a month in the summer and during Holy week, the Christmas and Easter Octaves and other holydays. The collection is the private archive of the Archibishop of Westminster and certain other Catholic institutions. Therefore no 'right' to access exists. As with other archives, material from the last 30 years or containing sensitive information is not available for consultation.

Just in case you ever get to England!!!!!!

and check this !!

http://ireland.anglican.org/library/libroots.html

Annie 

[Jillie42]

I got in touch with the Westminster Archives and emailed a very nice priest there, the archivist. I didn't need a letter of recommendation and when I got there he was extremely helpful. It's just a very difficult little place to find. Down a side alley with a tiny brass plate stating "Westminster Diocesan Archives" hidden behind foliage . They will do a search for a fee.

 email Father Nicholas at

archivist@rcdow.org.uk

Hope this helps someone out there.

Jillie

[MarieC]

Annie and Jillie

You are a pair of treasures!  Your blood's worth bottling!

Annie, I got an Irish researcher - at VAST expense - (why do they charge like wounded bulls in Ireland) to do some checking on my Irish ancestors.  RCB Library was one place that he visited.  I do now have some info on them - not as much as I'd like, but couldn't afford any more megabucks!! 

Jillie - thanks a million for that information!  I shall send a nice, polite, begging email to Father Nicholas, outlining my case and asking if he can do something for me.  Would be happy to pay a fee if they can do some research for me!  I shall be greatly in your debt if I make any progress.

Thanks very much, both of you!

MarieC