I discovered this thread last night and read it all in one sitting. Very informative.
Although I was feeling discouraged and thought I would find nothing about my Irish ancestors, I am feeling more positive after reading this. I am still a bit overwhelmed, but feel that I may at least have a starting point.
Mobo, I wonder if you might be kind enough to look up something for me in your "Census of the Townlands and Towns of Ireland" book please?
I am in Australia and my Irish relatives came here from Wexford in about 1884. The information I have about them has come from their marriage certificate (they married in a Roman Catholic church in Australia) and death certificates. Place of birth of one ancestor is given as New Ross, Wexford. Place of birth of the other is given as Wexford, Wexford. (Would this be Wexford City, Wexford?). From these certificates I also have names of both sets of parents and father's jobs.
Should I be trying to find out the churches in Wexford that the families attended and where they were probably baptised? If so, are you able to assist with the details you have in your census book (eg Townland, Barony, Parish etc) from simply knowing the names of these towns?
Am I correct in thinking that if I know these details, then I might be able to move forward?
Thank you very much.