McGraths of Tyrone and Donegal

McGrath is a very common surname in Co. Tyrone. I looked at the 1901 Irish census and there are 534 McGraths, 46 of whom were named Patrick. So the position would have been much the same in the 1830s.

You really need some information on specifically where in Tyrone the family lived, as well as Patrick’s parents names from his marriage or death certificate. That might narrow the search. Even then not every RC parish has records for someone born in 1821.

DNA testing might be the only way of locating the family origins if you don’t have the other information.

I note that your family history suggests that the “Big Wind” in January 1839 may have been the factor that led to Patrick migrating. I obviously don’t know whether that’s the reason in this specific case but my general experience is that most people migrated for economic reasons, and did so when they reached working age. The population of Ireland went up from 3 million in 1741 to 8 million in 1841, and there simply weren’t enough jobs or land for that number of people. In addition to that, there were partial famines all through the 1800s. For most people it was a tough borderline existence. Ireland didn’t benefit from the industrial revolution because it has almost no natural resources eg coal, oil, iron ore, gold etc. Consequently none of the heavy industries that would develop those resources in England, the USA or Australia and so create employment were started in Ireland. So folk had to leave. They had no choice. (The population today is only 6 million). People were pouring out of Ireland all through the 1800s because of the economic situation. My guess is that’s the background to Patrick’s departure.

Hi Michael & Elwyn

These are the only 2 baptism records around 1821 for Patrick McGrath Tyrone from www.rootsireland.ie/:

Name:Patrick McGrathDate of Birth:

Date of Baptism:24-Oct-1824Address:Upper CorrParish/District:DUNGANNONGender:UnknownCountyTYRONE
Denomination:Registration District
Father:John McGrathMother:Sara MallonOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:CharlesSponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Sara Cullan

Name:Patrick McGrathDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:26-Oct-1826Address:L CorrParish/District:DUNGANNONGender:UnknownCountyTYRONE
Denomination:Registration District
Father:Thomas McGrathMother:Margaret McGuckinOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:MichSponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Bridg Connolly

Col