Ireland's genealogical gazette jan. 2008

C u m a n n G e i n e a l a i s n a h É i r e a n n
(incorporating “The Genie Gazette”) www.familyhistory.ie
On-Line Access to 1911 Census Returns
An Immediate Success with the Public
line facility offering “free-for- view” access to the 1911 Census genealogical resources in a “pay for view” facility was advocated this service as a “free for view” CONTENTS
issue, Senator Alex White will
shortly publish the Genealogy & Heraldry Bill, 2008 and enter the cords. The Bill has a facility for Monthly Newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland IR E LAN D ’S GE N E ALO GIC A L G AZ E T T E (IN C OR P O R AT IN G “T H E GEN IE GAZ E T T E ”) North Dublin Vestry Records
“The Vestry Records of the United Parishes of
contain the names of parishioners, whether actively vestry book. The provision of an appendix detailing Finglas, St. Margaret’s, Artane and the Ward
involved in the administration of the parish or indeed, statistical information on population and housing in 1657-1758”
in receipt of alms and assistance from the parish. The each of the united parishes makes for a valuable and an editor Maighréad Ní Mhurchada.
local education needs were also meet from the vestry interesting social history resource. The importance of ISBN 978-1-84682-052-6 price €55.00. With the funds which included the employment of schoolmas- these publications by Four Courts Press to the study of vestry books for the parish of St. John the Evangelist, ters etc. The names of the poor in receipt of assistance Irish local history, genealogy and social history cannot Dublin and the parishes of St. Catherine and St. James, are of particular interest as they may be otherwise be underestimated. Indeed, arguably no other Irish Dublin previously published by Four Courts Press in unrecorded elsewhere. Though, the majority of the publishing house has contributed more over the years conjunction with the Church of Ireland’s Representa- surnames recorded are of English origin, native Irish to these areas of study than Four Courts Press. For tive Church Body Library, this third volume of vestry surnames, though few, appear at all levels of parish records is, once again, an immensely important contri- further information see www.fourcourtspress.ie
society from curates and vicars to the assisted poor. bution to the study of genealogy and social history. The various duties of the parish in respect of the local The area concerned is just north of the City of Dublin REVISED & REPUBLISHED
public infrastructure is particularly interesting as and stretching over three baronies, Nethercross, mainly Catholics were employed as overseers of the Mr. Tim Carey, Heritage Officer of Dún Laoghaire Coolock and Castleknock. These Protestant parishes highways. Evidently the collection of the cess payable Rathdown County Council has revised, enlarged and were linked from pre-reformation times, two are by all in the parish irrespective of religious affiliation republished his extremely popular “In Honour &
dedicated to Irish saints, Finglas (St. Canice) and the was a particularly unpleasant task as, once again, Memory—Memorials of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown”.
Ward (St. Brigid) with Artane dedicated to a saint of mainly members of the prominent Catholic were Originally published with the assistance of the Heri- the universal church (St. Nicholas). Vestry books are appointed for that purpose. Since no records survive tage Council and amazingly distributed free of charge basically the minute books of the parish containing for the baptisms etc of the Catholics in this area for by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council copies details of the day-to-day workings of the parish this period, the vestry books recording the names of quickly ran out. Calls for republication were loud and whether religious or secular. Subjects covered include individual Catholics is immensely important. An wide and thankfully, Tim Carey and the County Coun- the repair and maintenance of church buildings, the interesting entry for June 13th 1710 deals with the cil agreed to publish a revised edition. It has been provision of plate, books and necessaries for church allocation of the seats in the church at Finglas giving described as an on-going labour of love to record these services and, of course, the parish accounts. The parish the seating arrangement for the local families, no memorials and no doubt, a third edition cannot be had to collect the parish cess (tax) and to oversee and doubt indicating their social standing in the parish. ruled out. Copies are now available from most good audit the disbursements of this money. These pay- Some burials, marriages and baptisms for the same bookshops in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown and from the ments included to the parish clerk and other servants. parish for the period 1664 to 1668 are recorded in the County Council offices. Priced €10.00 contact Tim From a genealogical point of view, the vestry books Carey at [email protected] for postage rates. “Love Tokens”
On a recent visit to the United States I encoun- across in the States included a copper halfpenny 1803; John, 12th Dec. 1804; Janet, 29th Apr. tered some coins which sometimes are referred with the engraving Charlotte Mills York Dec. 1807; Alex, 30th June 1809; Alex Thomson, to as “Love Tokens”. The name derives from 18th 1788 on one side with the letters “CM” on 28th May 1811; Christinia, 30th Apr. 1812; the fact that they were usually given as a “love the other; an early 1800s George III Irish bank John, 18th Jan. 1814; Christinia, 18th Jan. piece” but sometimes they were intriguingly token with the engraving From Miss Mary 1816; Eliz, 10th Dec. 1818. Then to my sur- engraved for other less romantic reasons also. Aiken to Miss E Angus / B. Shane and with the prise, on the reverse engraved we find Children These included the recording of events such as touching words “Dinna Forget” on a separate Dead including their names and the dates of the transportation of a criminal to the colonies line; and the last piece was a William III British death. These are: John, 23rd Apr. 1802; Janet, in the Americas—before that nefarious penal crown with the names of the husband and wife 1st June 1804; Alex, 26th Sept. 1810; Chris- traffic was closed off to the British by Ameri- John Lawson & Christian Thomson married tinia, 3rd Apr. 1813; Alex Thomson, 7th Febr. can independence. Never mind, Australia was 13th October 1797 and remarkably, also en- 1814. This is certainly a remarkable piece set to benefit from this minor inconvenient graved are the names of Children Born to this which could possibly date from the 1830s or setback. Some of the pieces depict scenes on- couple with their dates of birth. Their names later and was probably a much cherished token board the ships and others record elements of were James, 9th Nov. 1798; Helen, 9th Apr. of one of the surviving children. David Paling
family history. The three pieces that I came 1800; John, 15th Dec. 1801; Janet, 6th May (contact: e-mail: [email protected]) Support for County Placenames Policy
At the December 5th meeting of the Strategic part of the intangible cultural heritage of our sensical bureaucratic fabrications with little or Policy Committee (SPC) on Arts, Community nation and proposed a number of measures to no regard to topography, history or linguistics. Development and Amenities of Dún Laoghaire protect and promote this important aspect of our The quality of Irish language signage was also Rathdown County Council, a proposal by this heritage. The document sought to integrate the considered by the SPC which noted that the Society for the adoption of a County Place- policy with the objectives of the County Heri- Council was currently conducting a field sur- names Policy was discussed in detail. Commit- tage Plan prepared by Mr. Tim Carey, Heri-
vey. The issue of naming new developments or tee members, both County Councillors and tage Officer. During the presentation of the roadways was also covered by the document Sectoral Representatives, strongly supported the document several references were made to the and concern was expressed that old placenames call for the adoption of a County Placenames many incorrect and totally absurd Irish lan- could be lost in the process. The SPC adopted a Policy to protect the placename heritage of the guage versions of existing placenames includ- proposal agreeing to recommend to Council that county. The six page Draft County Placenames
ing, An Naigín (Sallynoggin), and Cábán tSíle a Placenames Policy be adopted and sent the Policy included the definition of placenames as
(Cabinteely) both of which are basically non- document to the Legal Dept. for examination. Monthly Newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland IR E LAN D ’S GE N E ALO GIC A L G AZ E T T E (IN C OR P O R AT IN G “T H E GEN IE GAZ E T T E ”) James Scannell Reports.
REGISTRY OF DEEDS
stance on land ownership many view him as an ex- Churches around the world. Although he was very The Registry of Deeds first opened in 1708 and is one treme nationalist. Nevertheless he went against the close to his brother, Charles and John did not always of the oldest continuous operating offices in the State. political mainstream and left his mark on Irish history. agree on questions of faith. Charles strongly opposed Established under the Registry of Deeds Act, 1707, He died in Dublin’s Newgate Prison in 1849. breaking with the Church of England into which the and later moving to King’s Inn Quay in 1805, it is two brothers had been ordained. The devotional nature now located in Henrietta Street, Dublin. The 1707 Act NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
of his compositions were more than just a testament to initially provided a system for the legal registration of Celebrating its 150th Anniversary in 2007, the Natural his faith and are an enduring musical and spiritual title to land confiscated earlier during the Williamite History Museum in Dublin has been closed since last legacy. On Tuesday December 16th 2007 Rev. Dud- Plantations. The Registry contains the history and August when a stairway collapsed. It is unlikely to re- ley Levistone Cooney, President of the Old Dublin provenance of all deeds registered from 1708. Cur- open to the public until 2010. Built in 1856 as the Society and a retired Methodist Minister, presented a rently some five million Memorials are filed. These Museum of the Royal Dublin Society it opened to the special lecture on “The Underestimated Mr. Wesley –
Memorials are an invaluable source for genealogical public in 1857. It’s a zoological museum containing Charles Wesley 1707 – 1788” hosted by the Dublin
research, especially for the 18th and 19th centuries. diverse collections of over 10,000 animals and it is City Library and Archive. EDITOR: A little known
Figures in these Memorials include Jonathan Swift, also a major scientific institution holding significant fact about Charles Wesley is that his distant relative Wolfe Tone, Henry Grattan, Daniel O’Connell, Wil- research collections from both Irish and international Garret Weisley of Dangan Castle, Co. Meath wrote to liam Butler Yeats, Lady Gregory, William Cosgrave scientists. The museum moved to the present building Charles’s father offering to provide for the boy’s and Éamon de Valera. The Registry of Deeds building in 1857 and became part of the National Museum of education and to adopt him as heir to his estate. Garret, is the third and last of James Gandon’s major public a Protestant, had secured title to his lands in 1702/3 buildings and the only one not to have been destroyed when other relatives Christopher, Joseph, James and CHARLES WESLEY
William Weisley (Wisely), as Catholics, lost their 2007 was the 300th anniversary of the birth of Charles lands in Co. Kildare under the Williamite confisca- JAMES FINTAN LALOR
Wesley, younger brother of John Wesley, founder of tions. However, Charles Wesley, it appears, was 2007 was the bicentenary of the birth of James Fintan Methodism, in Lincolnshire, England in 1707. While unwilling to come to Ireland so when Garret Wesley Lalor (1807-1849) an inspired political writer who John Wesley focused on preaching, Charles Wesley (Weisley) died on September 23rd 1728, a distant fostered a renewed sense of ownership of the land of was one of the most notable English hymn writers cousin, Richard Colley (Cowley) of Castlecarbury, Co. Ireland in the minds of the dispossessed peasants and composing over 6,500 hymns. Some of Charles Kildare inherited the Weisley estates and took the their leaders. He had a primary influence on Pearse, Wesley’s best known hymns are found in most con- surname. This Richard Colley’s grandson was Arthur Davitt and Connolly. Through his uncompromising temporary hymn books used for worship in Christian Wesley (Wellesley), Duke of Wellington. MM Précis of the December Lecture
On Tuesday December 11th Steve Butler an
vaults in which the primary resources are LECTURE PROGRAMME
Elder of the Church of Latter Day Saints stored. Steve very ably fielded questions on all Tuesday 8th Jan. Padraic Gallagher, Valuation
(Mormons) and his wife presented an overview aspects of the work of the GSU and members Office Records; Tuesday 12th Feb. Noelle
of the genealogical records of the Church of were genuinely impressed by his very affable, Dowling, Dublin Diocesan Archives; Tuesday
Latter Day Saints. This overview went further 11th Mar. John Colgan, Forensic Genealogy,
that just looking at the microform collections candid responses. Steve also based much of his Origin of Family Names; Tuesday 8th Apr.
available through the various Family History explanations on his own research into his Irish Frank Pelly, Records of the Commissioners for Centres throughout the world. Steve provided origins by taking us through the resources of the Irish Lights; Tuesday 15th May. Patricia Boyd,
an insight into the reasons and philosophy be- GSU which are available at the LDS centres Registry of Deeds. All meetings are at 20.00hrs hind the LDS Church’s interest in genealogy. around the world, including Dublin, Cork and at the Dún Laoghaire College for Further Edu- He briefly brought us through the origins of his Belfast. In thanking Steve and his wife, the cation, Cumberland St., Dún Laoghaire. Buses Church and especially, though the history of the coordinator of the Guest Speaker Programme no. 7, 46A & 75, DART, Salthill & Monkstown Genealogical Society of Utah. His presentation Séamus Moriarty, MGSI explained that he is
Station. Any suggestions or comments on this showed the development of this society and its currently arranging the speakers for the coming programme, please contact Séamus Moriarty by vast collections, including the very secure year and hopes to focus on the primary sources. Membership fee renewals fall due in January Members’ prices of up to 50% off selected sations faced with the same problem, the Board each year. The Board of the Society at its No- publications. This also includes an optional decided to keep publishing the Society’s journal vember 2007 meeting conducted the normal second Membership Card for a household mem- but as an annual publication only. The Member- annual review of the Membership Fee struc-
ber, including voting rights, for an all inclu- ship Fee is now in line with similar organisations ture and under Res: 07/11/573 the Board
sive cost of just €40.00 per annum. The modest in Ireland. However, in many respects our Mem- adopted the following equalised Membership increase in the Membership Fee, which hadn’t bership Package, offers considerably better value Package for 2008:- Ireland & Overseas: Of-
changed since 2004, was unavoidable as costs for money. Remember, you can download the fering ordinary membership of the Society, continued to rise sharply. The production of a Membership Renewal Form from the Society’s
Membership Card, voting rights, use of the biannual Journal became prohibitive when website www.familyhistory.ie and forward it with Society’s Archive, monthly newsletter by mail, printing and postage costs eroded any savings your remittance to the Society’s Hon. Treasurer, Annual Journal by mail, and the right to pur- that were to accrue in the change from a quar- Mr. Denis Ryan, MGSI, 6, St. Thomas Mead,
chase the Society’s publications at Special terly journal. Unlike many other similar organi- Monthly Newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland IRELAND’S GENEALOGICAL GAZETTE
Genealogical Society of Ireland
11, Desmond Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland Denny McMahon, 914 Belmont Ave., North Vancouver, BC, Canada, V7R 1J8 E-mail:
[email protected] Wrote:- Seeking info. on my great grandfather Francis McMahon,
born in Co. Dublin c.1843 and was the cousin of Michael Connolly, the musical director of the
Theatre Royal in Dublin in 1901. Francis was an actor and musician and performed throughout the UK in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His sister Ester McMahon was born around 1835 in Cabinteely in County Dublin. Her father Henry McMahon was a coach maker for the JOIN ON-LINE
[email protected] Wrote:- Seeking info. on Francis McCready. Born c. 1819 in Ireland
moved to Northumberland, ENG. Wife Sara born in Alwork, Northumberland, 1921. Children: Francis 1850, Edward 1854, George 1856, Patrick 1860, and Elizabeth 1863 all in Durham, www.familyhistory.ie/shop
Sunderland, England. George’s daughter, Sarah Elizabeth, was my Grandmother born in 1877. Patricia Rush Gilbert, 52167, Worthington Lane., Chesterfield, MI 48051 U.S.A E-mail:
[email protected] Wrote:- Searching in Bryansford, Co. Down, for info. of a possible
marriage of John Rush to Susan Cummings and their children Mary Rush born in County
Down c. 1839 and son Peter Rush born in Co. Down c.1841.
DIARY DATES
Tuesday Jan. 8th & Feb. 12th 2008 Sullivan,
8495 Church Road, Grosse Ile, MI, 48138, USA E-mail: Evening Open Meeting
[email protected] Wrote:- Seeking info. on Sullivan great uncles and aunts. Patrick (1860),
Mary (1863), James (1869), Martin (1861) and Anne (1873). They were all born in Cloonlaheen
Dún Laoghaire College of Further East, Kilmurry, Ibrickane, Co. Clare. Their parents were Laurence Sullivan (died 1897) and Margaret White married in the parish of Miltown Malbay 7th March 1859.
Cumberland Street, Dún Laoghaire E-mail [email protected] Wrote seeking info. on Winifred Mary Minnie Callaghan born
c. 1836, Famine Orphan of Dublin Workhouse, parents dead (William and Mary), was shipped Wednesday Jan. 23rd & Feb. 27th 2008 to Australia in 1850 on the Maria. Morning Open Meeting
Weir’s, Lower George’s St., Dún Laoghaire Ash McKnight, 329 Main Street, Sussex, New Brunswick, E4E 1R8, Canada
E-mail: [email protected] Wrote: Seeking info. on William McKnight, b. 1801 married Marga-
ret, b. 1799 both from Co. Waterford. 4 children Ireland and 2 in Canada. I am descended from their son George McKnight (1831-1903) married Elizabeth Patterson (1835-1932) and George's
son Charles E McKnight (1874-1950) married to Laura Anderson (1885-1918). Their son,
Thaddeus (Ted) Phillip McKnight (1909-1990) was my grandfather. NOTA BENE:- Queries are only published at the discretion of the editor and where a mailing
address and e-mail address are provided.
“Tracing Your IRISH Family History”
New Collins Publication by Anthony Adolph
Occasionally new books on the subject of trac- sources and historical topics of interest. After well with a subject that is often seen as inac- ing your Irish ancestry appear from publishers describing the Irish connections with each of cessibly stuffy and arcane. He even mentions at home and overseas, but few are genuinely the main areas of emigration and following by a the Genealogy & Heraldry Bill and the issue of aimed at the widest possible popular interna- brief but informative chapter introducing Ire- “Emeritus Arms”. Ancient Irish roots and the tional market. With a foreword by Irish radio land from a genealogical point of view, the emerging use of DNA is also covered with and TV personality Ryan Tubridy this new reader is brought through each of the primary reference to current studies undertaken at Trin- book by Anthony Adolph published by Collins sources with a chapter devoted to each. Again ity College Dublin. He deals with the modern of London is certainly designed to meet the each is wonderfully illustrated and the author’s Gaelic chieftains and doesn’t, to his credit, shy needs of an international readership in the age style is flowing direct and immensely informa- away from the MacCarthy Mór scandal. Gener- of the Internet. Its layout is cleverly designed to tive. He avoids burdening the reader with, at ally in dealing with the sensitivities of Irish capture the on-line experience with windows this stage, needless minutia, however, he pro- history and identity the author is carefully sym- and textboxes and yet, all in the print format so vides information on where to find such. Be- pathetic and in some ways, emotionally con- familiar to us all. Its illustrations, photographs sides dealing with the major sources, in Chapter nected with our turbulent past of invasions, war, and diagrams are wonderfully presented in a 17 he provides a well presented “dictionary” of dispossession and famine. However, it is unfor- style that would normally grace an expensive Irish sources, each in a very readable manner. tunate that the nomenclature employed for the full colour catalogue. All this is quite surprising We in Ireland often underestimate the fascina- State and the neighbouring island, both geo- considering the cover price for this hardback is tion that others, especially our Diaspora, have graphically and politically, is disappointingly just Stg£17.99 from www.collins.co.uk But with Irish names and the origins of our sur- inaccurate. For example, he has the Irish Free what of the actual information on the subject names. The author caters for this interest by State appointing the first Chief Herald six years itself? Well, given the target readership for this explaining the nature of these names, their after that state ceased to exist. He uses terms book, its layout and content does not follow the construction, history and meaning. Dealing with such as Éire, mainland Britain, British Empire more specific county by county resource infor- the more ancient recorded pedigrees, the author etc instead of Ireland, Great Britain and Ireland mation, but yet deals with the subject compre- takes the reader through the manuscript sources left the British Commonwealth in 1949 not the hensively giving a flavour of the many aspects and provides details on the published sources. British Empire. But these issues do not take of genealogical research. Whether you’re based The illustration of the Uí Néill pedigree in the away from this very well researched and won- in any part of Great Britain, Canada, Australia, typical family history computer program format derfully produced book and, indeed, the format New Zealand, the United States or Argentina, is, once again, ensuring accessibility and clarity employed for the delivery of the information the book aims to provide information on re- for the reader. The format is again employed in will greatly influence future publications on the search avenues back to Ireland. At each stage, Chapter 21 to explain the mythical connections topic. All in all, Anthony Adolph has produced websites and further reading material are sug- Irish Septs have claimed to Milesius and his a very enjoyable, informative and accessible gested to provide more detailed information on sons. The chapter on heraldry again deals very read for anyone embarking on the roots quest. Monthly Newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland

Source: http://www.familyhistory.ie/docs/gazette/2008/GSI_January2008.pdf