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Greetings,

I am researching more information for John Hanrahan, born in 1807 (+/- 1 year) in what is written as "Clonlosard" on a military document.  It lists the parish being "in or near" Ballinasloe, Galway.  There is no such parish that I have been able to locate. 

In 1825, when he turned 18, he enlisted in the 66th Regiment at Eyrecourt, Galway.  So I am researching possible town name connections between the two towns, with closer proximity to Ballinasloe.

As he was illiterate, and the document I have is a military document that was written by someone in Canada, when he was stationed there serving the Regiment, it is likely that the parish name was mispelled and written incorrectly, especially if he had an Irish accent and they weren't used to hearing one of those in Canada at the time.

The closest town names I have found would be Clontuskert, and possibly Cloonascragh or Clanricarde.  Clontuskert when sounded out sounds very much like it could have been mistaken for Clonlosard.

I do not live locally, so I cannot do research there.  I am wondering if there is SKS that could take a peek into any available records.

Private John Hanrahan, born abt 1807.  He joined the military in 1825 and served through 1828 until he was discharged with blindness.  He married roughly about 1825 to Mary (surname not known yet).  They had 10 children: Bridget abt 1825, Catherine abt 1826, Ellen abt 1828, Mary abt 1829, Michael abt 1832, John abt 1834, Lawrence abt 1838, Anne abt 1839, James abt 1842 and Patrick abt 1844.  The family immigrated to Salford, Lancashire, England after 1844.  He died in 1851 in Salford.  I would love to find a confirmation that this is the correct birthplace for John. 

 

Thanks for any help or advice/links.

Cheers,

Kristin

 

Tuesday 30th Jul 2013, 07:40PM

Message Board Replies

  • Hi Kristin,

    Thank you for your message. I hope that someone who is will ing to assist you contacts you.

    Unfortunately, church records for Clontuskert do not begin until 1827:

     

    http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/fuses/rcparishmaps/index.cfm?fuseaction=showidrecords&CityCounty=Galway&CityCounty=East%20Galway&parish=Clontuskert&churchid=330

    However, in the19th century new Catholic parishes were created so starting dates can sometimes be misleading. Many parishes changed their geographical spread so you may find earlier records relating to your family in the records of adjoining parishes. It is always a good idea to spread the search into neighbouring parishes.

     

    http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/browse/counties/rcmaps/galwayerc.htm

    Just click on each parish to see what is available there.

    It may be an idea to contact the local parish priest directly for possible assistance as most Catholic records are still held locally.

     

    Here is a link to the parishes and their contacts:

    http://www.clonfertdiocese.ie/html/parishes.asp

    Alternatively you could contact the East Galway Family History Society to see if they have records available. However a fee may apply. Here is their email: galwayroots@eircom.net

     

    All the best,

     

    Genealogy Support

     

    Wednesday 31st Jul 2013, 12:40PM

  • Thank you Emma.  You have been very helpful.  I have written to the East Galway Family History Society also. 

    I did find an 1823 Tithe Applotment Book image that shows an M. Hanrahan listed in the townland of Somerset, Clontuskert, Galway - so the family name exists there at that time frame at least.  Not sure if this is a relation or not (perhaps his father or uncle), but it's something to bookmark.

    I'll post the cropped image file showing the names for my 4th great-grandfather, John Hanrahan.  He was illiterate (and later blind) so they would have written the townland by what they heard him speak. 

    Again, many thanks for the links and advice.  Looking forward to this journey.

    Wednesday 31st Jul 2013, 03:30PM

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