James Quigley : Short Biography

James Quigley was my husband's great grandfather.  In his will he stated that he was born on 25 December 1838.  James came to Australia sometime before 1876, (probably around 1861) where he married Elizabeth Jane Weldon in Dalby Queensland on 4 August 1876.  They were married in the Church of England church.  On all of the birth certificates of his children, he stated that his birthplace was Borrisokane, Tipperary.  According to his marriage certificate, his parents were John Quigley and Mary O’Rourke.

When we were in Ireland in 2017, we met up with Lulu from the Monsea parish and she took us to Cappanasmere where she thinks the family came from.  She also provided details of what she thinks are his siblings:

William     b ca. 1828

David        b ca. 1830

Michael     b. ca. 1834

Lina           b. ca. 1837 – all born in Cappansmere.

This family can be found in the records on Rootsireland – but not the details of James’ birth.  He is strangely missing from these records.  I am wondering if there was another John Quigley & Mary O’Rourke in the area?  One thing that occurs to me is that none of those sibling names were used for James own children – and there were 9 of them born in Queensland.  His third child was named John and his fourth child was named Mary possibly after his own parents?  The first two children were named after his wife’s family.  But none of the other names are the same as his brothers and sister.  This may not be significant, but it was fairly common in those days to name children after your own family.

We will be in Ireland again later this month.  We’ll be staying in Coolbaun from Friday 24 May until Thursday 30 May.  I am wondering if you are able to assist with our search for this family?  I will be most grateful for any assistance you can provide.  I would like to find out if there is any proof of the date of birth for James, and any information that will enable me to search further back in the family's history.