Thomas May

Derrynoose RC baptism records only start in 1814 and the earliest marriages date from 1808. And there are gaps in them.

I wouldn’t worry about the spelling of O’Donnell (and variants). The idea of correct spelling is not one our ancestors would have recognised. The O’ prefix is detachable (as is Mc). Spelling generally varied according to the whim of the official recording the information. Expect it to vary. Most of our ancestors at that time were illiterate, so weren’t going to worry too much about how official records spelled their names.

There are no earlier church records so it won’t be possible to get back earlier that way. If you family were farmers with a lease or similar then there may be land records in the Registry of Deeds or in PRONI in Belfast. But if they were labourers and weavers, then there may not be any records to consult. Do you know what their occupations were?

Thanks for the reply Elwyn! Unfortunately, so far, the only occupation I have for any of the family, is for my great grandfather, Bernard May. When he immigrated to the United States in 1863, he was listed as "groom". His occupation in Yonkers, NY, was "blacksmith".

He immigrated by himself, and I have found no one in Yonkers that appears to be a relation, so I think the rest of the family may have stayed in Ireland. I have his siblings baptisms, and his parents marriage and baptisms, in Armagh, and I might be able to find out what the family did by working forwards and backwards through them.

I have tried to locate some current day "Mays" in Armagh, but not having any luck so far.

I have to apologize, I meant to write my "GREAT GREAT" grandfather, Bernard May and goofed.

Sounds as though your family were in trades like groom, agricultural labourers, and weavers (as were half the population). Makes them hard to trace as they didn’t have any land and tended to move about a lot to find employment.

I looked in the current phone book for Northern Ireland. There are only 6 people named May listed. 5 live in Belfast, 1 in Antrim town. None in Co Armagh. I checked the electoral register and there’s no-one named May in Armagh on it at present.

I suppose you could try DNA testing. Otherwise I am at a loss to suggest where you could try next.

Thank you so much for checking!

Would it be asking WAY too much to ask for a copy of those names in the phone book? I am going to do an autosomal DNA, but I can't do a YDNA; all my male family died with my great grandfather - only females from then on. If I can find a male in the northern Ireland area who has the same family, it would be great!!!

I am profoundly thankful for what you have done so far, 

Sherrie

Sherrie,

We don't give out personal information about living people on the open board for reasons of confidentiality. but E-mail me on Ahoghill@irelandxo.com and I may be able to assist you.

Thanks Elwyn, I wasn't thinking. Will do.