PARISH RECORDS

Hi Geoffrey,
Happy New Year.

To find ancestors of Peter born in 1836, would be difficult as civil registration started in 1864. There are some church records on http://ifhf.rootsireland.ie, it is hoped that these original records will go online by summer 2015.

Perhaps a way around it is to widen your search and look for younger members of the family & that way you may get back another generation through the death records or through wills http://www.willcalendars.nationalarchives.ie/search/cwa/home.jsp

While you may not be able to see the originals of the early ones, you might be surprised to find names and townlands that sounds familar to your own.
It is also hoped that the rental valuations will also go online and it can fill in the gaps as to who was renting the land prior to the census.
Do you know if there were any priests in the family as they are better documented and may give you another lead. The graveyards are not all recorded, but do search for Cootehill, Drumgoon, Middlechapel graveyards, regularly as there is work being done all the time on them. I have some photos of some local graveyards under Bailieborough, Co Cavan, which may give you some leads.
Look up Griffiths Valuations,http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/ it also gives you the names of tenants and the same goes for the Tithe Applotments available here http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp.
I hope that will give you some more avenues to pursue.
Regards Carmel

Thanks Carmel! Keep us updated on your progress Geoffrey

Best wishes

Clare Doyle

Genealogy Support 

Drumgoon Hill old graveyard facebook page is now available. A lot of work done last year to record info on 736 graves there. All info on historicgraves.ie
Best of luck