My gggggrandfather John McFarlan (Macfarlan, McFarland, McFarlane) was a tailor who went to Lancaster presumably to work within the cotton industry - he was arrested for "privately stealing" and transported for 7 years to Australia on the Minerva in 1824. Tried on the same day was Owen McFarlan who was convicted of "receiving" and given 3 months gaol. John married Margaret McRedmond in Australia and had 6 children (Bridget, Margaret, Patrick, John, Thomas and Mary) Can anyone help me with information as to where John camed from? His birthplace was listed as Sligo, Ireland. Does anyone know of any McFarlans who were tailors from Sligo? Or any information that might lead me in the right direction? thank you
Monday 22nd Apr 2013, 08:21AM
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Hi,
Thank you very much for your message.
Unfortunately, it may be difficult to find information on John without a specific place of origin as most Irish record sources- church records, land records, census records- are based on specific locations. Until you know a specific location within Ireland, preferably a parish or place-name, it may be difficult to do anything more with these records.
Have you tried looking at the online websites www.familysearch.org and www.rootsireland.ie ? They have some church records available and you may be lucky and find something relating to John, this would give you a parish name which would then open up further avenues of research. Please note that you have to pay to use rootsireland.ie.
You could also try looking for MCFarlans in the two land records pertaining to Ireland in the 19th century.:
The Tithe Applotment Books (1823-1838) found at http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp
and Griffith?s Valuation (1848-1864) found at http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/
This may also help you narrow down a place of origin.
Some other websites that you may find useful are:
The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/
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
Genealogy links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/sligo/index.html
Sligo Library: http://www.sligolibrary.ie/sligolibrarynew/OurBranches/ReferenceandLocalHistoryLibrary/
It may also be an idea to contact Co. Sligo Heritage and Genealogy Centre for assistance, however a fee may apply. Here is their email: heritagesligo@eircom.net
Remember to post any new information that you find 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
Wednesday 29th May 2013, 02:07PM