Looking for McGarvey and Cowan family

Hi Cheryl,

Thank you very much for your message. I hope that someone connected to the family or with information on them contacts you.

Have you tried looking in the 191/1911 census records to see if there were any McGarvery?s or Cowan?s still in the areas at the time? You can check these here:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/

Do you know anything else about the family?s move to Canada, eg. when did they go? Also, who remained behind?Remember to post as much information as you can with regard to the people you are researching. 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.

Kind regards,

Genealogy Support

Thank you for writing to me about my search.

Since James was born in 1822 and the only Irish relative I know is his father, also James, any names in the census 80 and 90 years later  would be nephews and nieces, wouldn't they? I am not sure how to proceed with that little information.

Here is additional information on James.

Records obtained from the Kew followed his career from 1840 until his discharge in 1859 in North America. I also obtained a copy of their marriage certificate through rootsireland. It tells they were married in Lurgan, Shankill Parish,  in the Church of England. She was a dressmaker. Both of their fathers were farmers. The witnesses were Thomas and Amry Warren. The marriage was conducted by a Sergeant of the 76th Foot. (I also found a baptism record on rootsireland for a James McGarvey, b 29 Jan 1826 in Gortnacall, Tullyaughnisn, CO. Donegeal to James and Elinor. The date is a little off but the father's name was correst, and James and Lucinda had a daughter nemed Nellie.)

He enlisted in Londonderry as a foot soldier in the 76th Regiment of Foot. He was stationed in Londonderry from 1840-41 then to Bermuda, then to Halifax, NS, to Portsmouth and Manchester, England. He arrived in Kesh as Cpl in 1846 where he was a recruiter and rose to Sergeant status. With wife and children he was sent to Corfu, Greece, stationed in Malta. In 1853, he and the family were sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia. with his detachment.

In Apr 20, 1858, Janes now a Cpl (he was demoted) returned to Dublin where he was discharged from the 76th.He immediately enlisted with the Royal Canadian Rifle Range and joined the Red River Detachment in1858.

In July 1859, due to consumption, he was discharged and awaited passage to Annapolis, Nova Scotia with his wife and three children. He died in Annapolis in 1860, his last son born four days after his death. Lucinda endured hardships, remarried, and her McGarvey children's descendats have a strong presence in Annapolis County today.

I have many interesting documents that pertain to their years in the army.

I hope some of this might lead us to more about this family.

Thanks, Cheryl