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I am searching for information about my great-grandfather, Thomas Fahy, who lived in Portumna in the 1800s.

He was born in either 1841 or 1843.  He is said to have apprenticed in the linen trade in County Sligo before emmigrating to the United States (possibly to Mobile, Alabama) in 1866.

Thomas' mother's name was Mary Jane Hibbets or Higgins.

I have heard that one of Thomas' brothers intended to also emmigrate to the United States but his ship went instead to Australia.  I have no idea if this is true.

Any clues or tips about Thomas and/or his mother would be much appreciated.  I hope to travel to Ireland in the next couple of years and will definitely plan to visit Portumna!

Thank you,

Evelyn

emfahy

Saturday 8th Jun 2013, 06:15PM

Message Board Replies

  • Evelyn:

    The Mormon Church microfilmed the RC church records for Portumna for 1830-1891.

    https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/529031

     

    You can order the film online at www.familysearch.org and have it delivered to a Mormon Family History Center near you. You can then review the film for your Fahys.

    You may want to look at www.rootsireland.ie  you can look for possible records but you do have to pay to see actual records.

    Roger McDonnell

     

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Saturday 8th Jun 2013, 06:49PM

  • Roger,

    Thank you very much for the tip!  I will definitely have to order the film to view.

    I also searched on the name of the record and discovered a partial transcription someone has done, that includes both FAHY and HIBBETTS records.  There is one record of a marriage between William Fahy and Jane Hibbetts that is a strong candidate to be my great-great grandparents.  I am excited to pursue this possibility.

    Here is the link for any others that may find it helpful:

    http://connergenealogy.com/files/Download/PortumnaParishRegisterBaptismsAndMarriages1830-1891.pdf

    Regards,

    Evelyn

    emfahy

    Saturday 8th Jun 2013, 09:21PM

  • Hello Evelyn,

    I live in Portumna and will try to get to the Parish Office to see if there are any records on your Fahy / Hibbetts / Higgins connection. Please keep me posted of any information you find out as the more facts I have, the better chance there is of finding a local connection.

    Please do let us know if/when you plan to visit Portumna.

    regards

    Dolores O'Shea

    irelandxo-offaly

    Monday 10th Jun 2013, 10:28AM

  • Dolores,

    Thank you for your kind offer.  Based on information in the link I posted above, it looks like Thomas' father's name may have been William and his mother's name may have been Jane Hibbetts or Hibbitts.

    Also, while one family record says Thomas emmigrated to the U.S. in 1866, a census record says he emmigrated in 1857.

    Regarding a visit to Portumna, what time of year would you say is the best?  I have thought May might be an ideal month.

    Best,

    Evelyn

    emfahy

    Thursday 13th Jun 2013, 10:41AM

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