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Denis James Rourke Sep 1876      Father James Rourke

Married in Southampton, England 1916 - Died in Southampton 1945

I have traced my Husband's Grandfather to Ireland. His Military Records state him as being from Borrisokane, Co Tipperary. On searching birth records I can find a Denis Rourke born to James Rourke and Mary Meara for this date but it states for Bellview, Terryglass. Can anyone confirm if this is likely to be the right record. Any info on the ancestry of these people would be very welcome. Thank you.

sarahorourke

Tuesday 11th Nov 2014, 01:25PM

Message Board Replies

  • Good Afternoon

    Quick check of 1901 census shows a James Rourke 54 and Mary Meara 53 living in Bellvue Kilbarron and also a daughter Hannah Bellvue or Bellview as it is sometimes spelled is in the District Electoral Division DED of Borrisokane so would often be used for military record purposes for example so I would imagine you have the correct address and Kilbarron Terryglass are the same parish.

    Still a lot of Meara's in the area am not aware of Rourke but will check

    Do you have any of his military history.

    Regards Bill Ryan

     

    Terryglass55, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Tuesday 11th Nov 2014, 02:58PM
  • Terryglass55, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Tuesday 11th Nov 2014, 02:59PM
  • Thank you Bill this is really helpful. It has been extremely dfficult to find out any information from the family as there is a lot of hearsay but no one left alive to verify. I was only able to get a birth record once the WW1 records were released recently. Denis James (the Grandfather of my husband) signed up to the Army in 1915 in Southampton at the age of 39. He was assigned to the Royal Engineers Inland Waterways and Docks Division. He also served in the 425 Agricultural Corp from 1917. He spent 23 days in hospital with Influenza in 1918 so was lucky to survive. Before 1915 I have no idea where he was or what he was doing. By finding this birth record I am trying to work from this. Yesterday I heard that Denis had fallen out with his family as a young man, but where he went is a mystery. His Father apparently went to Dublin and ran a pub possibly called the White Star, but I have nothing more than that.

    Is it possible to trace the Meara family any further? I would like to also find out where James Rourke came from. I haven't as yer found him to be local to the Borrisokane area. If you have any ideas as to where I could resaearch from here I would be very grateful. Thank you for your help.

    Kind regards

     

    Sarah O'Rourke

    sarahorourke

    Thursday 13th Nov 2014, 08:55AM
  • Hi Sarah
    Since last writing a collegue has came up with some excellent information including possible location of Rourke house in Bellvue and also that another person living elswhere in Ireland has been attempting to trace this family.
    Rather than put detailed information up here if you wish you can email me at ryan.bill68@gmail.com and can pass on what we have so far
    Regards
    Bill

    Terryglass55, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Friday 14th Nov 2014, 11:55AM
  • Thank you so much Bill I will.

    Kind regards

    Sarah

    sarahorourke

    Friday 14th Nov 2014, 03:52PM
  • Sarah I just came accross your post here as I am searching for my great grandparents who came from Kilbarron. My dad was Raymond O Rourke son of Patrick O Rourke. My grandfather had a brother Denis O Rourke who went to England fought in the war. Denis marroed a Catherine Duff. I have contacted other relatives and I am trying to put it all together but I think your husbands grandfather is part of the same family.

    Marie O'Rourke-Moran

    Saturday 26th Oct 2019, 06:18PM
  • Hello Marie

    I would be very interested in any info about your family tree, it has taken a lot of searching to get what little I have on the Rourkes/O'Rourkes of Kilbarron. Our Denis was born in Bellview, Kilbarron in 1876. His parents were James Rourke and Mary Meara/Mara. I have no details about his life from birth until 1915 when he signed up to the Army in Southampton in 1915. In 1916 he married a local girl and lived in Southampton until his death in 1945. He did have a brother Patrick. On quickly checking your info I have found one marriage record for Denis O'Rourke and Catherine Duff in Gloucestershire in 1944. This wouldn't be the same Denis is ours. Where are your Dad Raymond, and you from? I don't have a Raymond listed in my tree. If you would like to talk more, please email me at : orourkes@hotmail.com where I can give you more of what I know.

    Look forward to hearing from you.

    Best wishes

    Sarah

    sarahorourke

    Sunday 27th Oct 2019, 11:02AM
  • Sarah Denis was a brother of my grandad Patrick O Rourke because my grandads brother married a Cathrine Duff. I am getting more information this week from my dads first cousin so as soon as I get it I will email you what I have. Your husbands grandad Denis was an uncle to my dad Raymond. Denis was a brother to my grandad Patrick. This is exciting.x

    Marie O'Rourke-Moran

    Sunday 27th Oct 2019, 01:18PM
  • Now Catherine I just read again that its a different Denis. I wonder are they related?

    Marie O'Rourke-Moran

    Sunday 27th Oct 2019, 01:19PM

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