I am looking for Francis McCloskey, born 1840, emigrated to Philadelphia, PA.
He may have had a brother James.
I am looking for evidence of where he lived in Ireland.
He married in Philadelphia in 1863 to Ellen Lafferty. They had seven children - Ellen, Mary, James Eugene, Francis, and three Davids.Ellen and the Davids all died in infancy. Mary was adopted by her uncle Edward Lafferty and lived with her cousins all her life. Francis, Jr. died at age 15.
James Eugene, my gggrandfather, was put in an orphanage for five years then adopted by the Hughes family.
When looking at the cemetery records for this family, I found three different families in the same grave.
The earliest interments are for Ellen McCloskey, then the three Davids, then the mother Ellen Lafferty McCloskey. The next people are Cassidys - Ann Cassidy and her husband Rodger Cassidy. This suggests that the Cassidys are related to the McCloskeys who purchased the plot. Could Ann Cassidy have been Ann McCloskey who then married Rodger Cassidy? After that, the grave is filled with McBreartys. I can't find any connection between McBreartys and McCloskeys. I am assuming that the McBreartys inherited the grave after the McCloskeys died out.
Anthony McBrearty, the patriarch of that family, is known to have come from Killybegs. That said, I believe that the McCloskeys and Cassidys came from the area as well. But I cannot prove it. I know that there are still McCloskeys in the area. Does anyone there remember or have any notes about family members who went to America in Famine times?
Thanks for your help!
Colleen McCloskey
Colleen McCloskey
Friday 28th Feb 2014, 06:14PMMessage Board Replies
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Dear Colleen
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out and apologies for the delay in replying to your message.
As you can see from the link below, Killybegs is a Civil Parish in Co. Donegal: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/fuses/civilparish/index.cfm?fuseaction=GetMap&CityCounty=Donegal
The records for the corresponding Roman Catholic Parishes of Arda and Killybegs begin in 1869 and 1845 respectively. There are some places where you can search online, however these websites do not have complete collections and many do not cover the period after 1900:
www.familysearch.org has a huge database of genealogical records including some church records for Ireland.
www.rootsireland.ie have a large collection of Irish Church records, however you have to pay to use this site.
http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/ have begun a project to upload Irish church records to their site free of charge. However so far only Counties Dublin, Kerry, Carlow and parts of Cork have been covered.
Some other websites that may be helpful are:
The National Archives of Ireland: http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/ - you can search the 1901/1911 Census on the National Archives page too
The National Library of Ireland: http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx
The National Archives UK ? genealogy search:http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/
The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland: http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm
Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/index.htm
Irish Genealogy Tool kit: http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/
You could also check the Tithe Applotment Books 1824-1837 and the Griffith?s Valuation for your ancestors. Even though these records only name the head of household, the information can be useful: http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/
Remember to post any new information that you find here. The more information you post, the more likely it is that one of our volunteers will be able to advise or assist you. Also include information concerning which sources you may have already used so others may further your search.
Best of luck with your search
Clare Doyle
Genealogy Support
Thursday 27th Mar 2014, 12:46PM