Recently saw DNA evidence that Bolger cousins lived in Athone, Meath in mid-1800's. Other DNA relatives have roots in Kilkenny.
Have no idea where or when my great-great grandfather Thomas Bolger died, but assume he was born in the early 1800's. My great-great grandmother Mary Reilly Bolger died during the famine period. Their very large family managed a "famine relief farm".
Their eldest daugher Mary Bolger (born in IE in Nov 1834 or 35) raised her younger siblings before immigrating to the US (CT) in the late 1860's and joining a convent.
Their eldest son Thomas (born in IE between 1828 and 1831) immigrated to the US in mid-1850's; his wife Margaret Galligan Bolger was from Co. Cavan (her parents were Ellen Flood and Patrick Galligan), however, its unknown whether they met and married in IE or US (CT). Their first son Thomas (my father's uncle) was born in CT in Oct 1856.
Would greatly appreciate any help finding where Thomas Bolger, my great-grandfather or my great-great-grandfather, was baptized or married..
cabolger
Sunday 15th Sep 2013, 10:05PMMessage Board Replies
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Hi,
Thank you very much for your message. I hope that someone with information makes a connection with you and helps you to further your research.
In the meantime have you tried:
Searching online for records at:
www.familysearch.org has a huge database of genealogical records including some church records for Ireland.
www.rootsireland.ie have a large collection of Irish Church records, however you have to pay to use this site.
http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/ have begun a project to upload Irish church records to their site free of charge. However so far only Counties Dublin, Kerry, Carlow and parts of Cork have been covered.
Using land records:
You could also check for record of the family in the land records pertaining to Ireland in the 19th century. These do not give any genealogical information but can sometimes be used to tie a person to a specific place.There are two:
The Tithe Applotment Books (1823-1838) found at http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp
and Griffith?s Valuation (1848-1864) found at http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/
Looking in Immigration records:
Sometimes more infomation can be found at the port of arrival rather than that of departure. You may be lucky and find a place name here. For information on US immigration records check http://www.archives.gov/research/immigration/
Resources in the US:
Do you have any documentation pertaining to the family that mentions any place names at all? This can include wills, marriage/death records,census records, letters, diary entries etc. Sometimes a parish or county name may also be inscribed on a gravestone.
Some websites that you may find useful with your research are:
The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/
The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx
The National Archives UK ? genealogy search: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/
The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm
Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/index.htm
Irish Genealogy Tool kit: http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/
Remember to post any new information that you find here. The more information you post, the more likely it is that one of our volunteers will be able to advise or assist you. Also include information concerning which sources you may have already used so others may further your search.
Kind regards,
Genealogy Support
Emma Carty
Wednesday 2nd Oct 2013, 12:24PM