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I was at an Irish Festival recently and was told of your website. 

I have been searching for the birthplace of my GG Grandfather – Patrick J Murphy born in Ireland about 1838 (on his death certificate it shows October 17, 1837 as his birthday).  I have a Virginia Marriage Certificate from 1862 which shows he married Margaret Tierney born in 1842, also from Ireland; his parents were Edmund Murphy and Hannah (no last name); her parents were John Tierney and Hanna (no last name).  This is documented proof and I know this to be true as I followed his journey to Baltimore, MD and worked for the B&O Railroad his whole life, retired and died in 1925.  His son Edward married Annie O’Connor whose father was William O’Connor from Ireland. Edward is my great grandfather. His son, my grandfather, was Basil Patrick Murphy who married Mildred Campbell and her mother was Mary McCaffrey whose father was Daniel McCaffrey from Ireland.

I have searched each surname and hit a wall as to where in Ireland these ancestors were born.  It’s very frustrating and I have just about given up. 

My family is going to return to Ireland this year and our hope was to visit the area where our ancestors were born.  Our DNA shows Galway and Ulster (Louth, Monaghan).  However, my mom had told my daughter that the Murphy’s were from Cork.   

I have searched Ancestry and My Heritage, looked at Geni World and Family Search  and Roots Ireland to no avail.  I’m writing to ask if there is any other site or heritage center that would help in my search.

Thank you for any assistance you may provide.

Linda

Saturday 11th Feb 2023, 03:26AM

Message Board Replies

  • Linda,

    Griffith's land Valuations - 1850's to 1860's have a Daniel McCaffrey in Dundalk in 1864; Newry; Cavan - Killinagh 1857; Leitrim - Carrigallen1856; Monaghan - Tedavnet 1860.

    The name "John Tierney" is common in County Galway and Tipperary with small numbers in other counties. William O'Connor c18 various counties.

    Those records can be found at  www.askaboutireland.ie/Griffith's  - Free site.

    From experience I have found that the answer to your query can be found in the USA by checking with in-laws and other relatives - Work record numbers and citizenship applications.

    State records in Ireland are from January 1st 1864 and may BMD's were never recorded in the civil record.

    Regards,

    McCoy

    Saturday 11th Feb 2023, 07:48PM
  • Linda,

    Correction: "Daniel McCaffrey" should read "Newry" - Not Dundalk.

    Regards,

     

    McCoy

    Saturday 11th Feb 2023, 07:58PM
  • Linda:

    I searched on two different subscription sites and could not find a good lead for either Patrick Murphy or John Tierney. Maybe Patrick was from Cork but I have seen a number of situations where the emigrant left from Queenstown Co. Cork but was from another county and over time the family stories were that he was from Cork rather than the actual county.. Records for Co. Cork parishes usually go back to the early 1800s which also points to a different county and maybe a record is not available.

    My wife has a Murphy grandmother and we have been struggling for years trying to find the home place. My wife's mother was a Tierney and we know her family was from the Clare/Galway border but so far no luck in finding the exact location.

    Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Sunday 12th Feb 2023, 01:21PM

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