Michael Gillespie / Andrew Gillespie / Hugh Harkin (Co. Donegal)

Sadly the RC parish of Inniskeel doesn’t have any baptism records earlier than 1866. So it doesn’t appear likely that you will find either Peter or Michael’s baptism dates from that source. You might just find any siblings born after 1866 though.

The RC parish records are on-line free on the National Library site:

http://registers.nli.ie/parishes

What were Peter and Michael’s townlands as per their marriage certificates? Also what was Andrew Gillespie’s occupation, as per the marriage certs?

Elwyn

That's what I was afraid of concerning the parish records. I did a quick search & found some of the Harkin family, but Michael was born earlier than the keeping of the records.

The marriage registrations as shown on RootsIreland say the address for Michael is Loughfad, his wife Catherine Harkins is Kilclooney. His brother Peter's says Loughfad & Peter's wife says Ballykilduff. 

Andrew is listed as a Farmer on both. 

Please let me know if you need anything else. Thank you for all your help.

Colleen

Colleen,

I had a look at Griffiths Valuation for 1857 and there were no Gillespie farms in the townland of Loughfad at that time. So either Andrew farmed elsewhere or he arrived in the townland after that year. Ballymackilduff doesn’t have any Gillespies either at that time.

On the basis that Andrew Gillespie probably lived in the Glenties civil registration area, I searched deaths 1864 to 1900. There were just two of an age to be Michael’s father. One was registered Apr – June 1887 aged 81, Vol 2, page 84. The other Jan – Mar 1885 aged 67, Vol 2, page 70.  You could order copies of those to see if either was a farmer, with other personal information that fits. Informant might be useful, as will marital status. Of by any chance Andrew died before 1864, there probably won’t be a record of his death.

Looking at Griffiths for Kilclooney Beg, again in 1857, I see two Harkin farms. James had a third share in plot 2, and John (likely to be a relation) was next door with a one third share in plot 3. Presumably Hugh inherited one of those farms as here he is in 1901:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Donegal/Dowras/Kilclooneybeg/1174817/

& 1911:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Donegal/Dawros/Kilclooney_Beg/485446/

Some information on Inishkeel on this site:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~donegal/inishkeelproj.htm

The revaluation records in the Valuation Office in Dublin would tell you when the Harkin properties changed hands between 1857 and 1929.

What may be Hugh Harkin's death was registered in Glenties Jan - Mar 1904 Vol 2, page 71 age 95.

Elwyn, you've given me several new directions to research concerning both sides of the family. I'll definitely look into all the links & collections you mentioned & also send for copies of marriage and death certificates.

I'm very greatful for the time you spent on helping me with my research!. Many thanks!

Colleen