My ggfather Mathew Moffit, a tailor, b.1825 was said to have two children by a previous marriage: James and Mary Ann. I have found the second marriage (to my ggmother Bridget Kilboy) in 1854. I have been unable to find any marriage or births prior to that date. Now I find record in the 1851 Census for England for a Mathew Moffit, tailor, b.1823 with children James and Mary Ann. But it says all of them (Matt, wife, kids) were born in Liverpool. I could believe this record was "mine" if it said Mathew had been born in Ireland because I know a lot of Irish emigrated to Liverpool. It would make sense to leave during the Famine Years. But I can't make a case for Mathew leaving Liverpool for Moyoran, Roscommon. I cant find any more records for him in either England or Ireland that would confirm or rule out this possibility. (Like England Census 1841, 1861, or death of Ann Moffit, first wife). Any suggestions? I've gotten pretty familiar with searching Irish records but no experience with English.
Saturday 8th Apr 2017, 02:03PM
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jmjrph:
Welcome back to Ireland Reaching Out!
I'm sure you know the Tumna/Coothall/Ardcarn RC records start in 1843 http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0536
I did find two James Moffit records in Tumna parish in the 1833 Tithe listings although not in Moyoran. Likely one of these James' records is for the father of James. My guess is that the 1851 census record is incorrect for Matthew as it relates to the place of birth and that Matthew and family returned to Ireland prior to 1854. I also note that there is a James Moffatt listed in Drumboylan townland in the Griffiths. Drumboylan was one of the two townlands in the 1833 Tithe listings.
Roger McDonnell
http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/roscommon/tumna.htm
http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/results.jsp?…
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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Attached Files1851 England Census.jpg (585.46 KB)
You suggest that the census shows wrong birthplace for Mathew but the census taker has carefully listed specific places in Liverpool for Mathew, his wife, their kids and his brothers. Seems like a lot of "mistakes". On the other hand I dont find Mathew on the 1841 or 1861 census for Liverpool. Maybe there was more back-and-forth to Ireland than I realize.
Meanwhile if I try to trace James: "my" James appears in New Haven from about 1877-1882 with his other siblings then disappears. Doesnt seem to have family with him. There is one Petty Sessions entry for 1869 for a James from Moyoran abusing a horse. Other Jameses in court sessions were all from Drumboylan or Drumlahard.