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Hello, this is my first post on this site. I have hit a wall in researching my Davis ancestors. According to Church of Ireland records, my 4th great grandfather, John Henry Davis, born 1793 was the son of James (Templemore shopkeeper) and Mary. James' brother Henry, lived in Killea and listed as constable. His wife, Sara (Dudley). Both James and Henry and several children. Some immigrated to Canada (Elgin County,Ontario St. Thomas area) James and Henry's father was John (died 1799 or 1802) and buried in Killea. Wife was Frances. 

I cannot find any record of this Davis family prior to 1790. I have identified the Davis' who immigrated to St. Thomas Ontario area, but none of the other childred of James or Henry. 

Two areas of help that would be greatly appreciated are:

1) Any online records that I have been missing that may help and...

2) I plan to travel to Ireland and would appreciate any advice on where I should visit that may help in my research?

Many Thanks!

Thomas Davis

Davis

Saturday 28th Nov 2020, 01:33AM

Message Board Replies

  • Hi Thomas,

    This is may last day on here helping people. I will just give links to sites from now on.

    From the information you have given I would say this site....... I have looked and have seen other children listed.
    You have to pay...sorry,  working out your Canadian $ rate from yesterday it works out at 43.16 for a month.  That should be enough time for you to search.
    Find your Irish Ancestors today – Irish Family History Online Records Search Facility – Find your Irish Ancestors today with the Irish Family History Foundation online research service (rootsireland.ie)
    Don't forget to save your records.

    In another site "The Tithe records" you can see other information.
    I see Harry (Henry) was in the townland of Kilawardy, Killea.
    Genealogy (nationalarchives.ie)

    Next   www.familysearch.org

    l have searched with davis   1700 to 1800 and have got these results
    davis Search Results (familysearch.org)

    After that you should be able to pick up information in Griffiths Valuation
    Griffith's Valuation (askaboutireland.ie)

    Then use .............  Templemore comes under THURLES as the registration district.
    Welcome to Irish Genealogy - Irish Genealogy

    Hope this helps.
    Margot

     

    Margot

    Saturday 28th Nov 2020, 10:34AM
  • Thank you so much Margot! I have searched in the past on most of the sites you listed but will try again. The Henry Davis you listed on one of the sites is the son of Henry and Sara. He immigrated to St. Thomas Ontario as well. I am confident my Davis family were Templemore/Killea transplants circa 1790 because I find no record of them in the area prior to 1790. They were Protestants and from what I have read, many Protestants settled in Templemore during this period. Old family records list one of the Davis' as 'Captain' but not sure if this would apply to John (married to Frances) who I assume was father to Henry and James. Since Henry and James were married and began having children shortly after 1790, I assume they were both born circa 1770. Therefore this would make their father John being born circa 1740-50. Another thought is the title 'Constable' listed on Henry's 1790's records... could Henry be the 'Captain'? His brother James list 'shopkeeper' as occupation. 

    I honestly believe the only way I have a chance of identifying where the Davis' were from prior to Templemore/Killea is to travel to Ireland and research records that are not 'online'. Do you have any expierence in this area? Again, thank you so much for taking the time to reply! 

    Tom Davis

    Davis

    Saturday 28th Nov 2020, 05:57PM
  • Hi Tom, 
    you ask... Do you have any expierence in this area?
    Yes, the Las Vegas Ballroom, I went there to the dances in the 1960's, I think it's a furniture store now.
    I was from Nenagh/Borrisokane area not that far from Templemore, I do know Ireland better than the UK.
    I wouldn't know where to send you next for early information.

    Another thought is the title 'Constable' listed on Henry's 1790's records... could Henry be the 'Captain'?
    Try here....there is contact us section.
    Garda Síochána Museum/Archives (policehistory.com)
     

    This is the 1911 Census of Ireland.........a Bridget Davis is living in Killea.
    National Archives: Census of Ireland 1911 

    You could follow on the marriages and births in the sites I sent earlier. 
    Also, Andrew Purcell is the Grandson aged 3. 
    Margot
     

     

    Margot

    Sunday 29th Nov 2020, 11:16AM
  • Tom Davis. 

    I am reshearching the Davis.s too. They woud have lived nearer to Roscrea ie Bourney & Knockballymaher. You will not get back any further as records only began in Ireland in the middle of the 1800.s except for a family bible that went to Canada. I have found it the same way too with other families that I am conected to with & researching.Some of the Davis.s were Quakers & if you were able to read the records for Roscrea. it might be a break true for you. I am not able to read the Roscrea ones but I can read the Mountmellick meeting house ones, but it is no good to you. Also at that time most who emigrated were too poor to put up Head stones.

    Ballypierce

    Sunday 29th Nov 2020, 04:12PM
  • Thanks! I have considered the Quaker angle.. especially given the fact Henry Davis married Sara Dudly/Dudley and they had a child named Large Davis. I found several 'Large Dudley's' that were indeed Quakers. All of the Davis' who immigrated to Canada listed ' Church of Ireland' or 'Church of England' and attended Angelican Churches in St. Thomas area. Where do you live? 

     

    Tom

    Davis

    Sunday 29th Nov 2020, 07:14PM
  • Thanks Margot! I will follow up on your links and report any findings. Thanks again!

     

    Tom

    Davis

    Sunday 29th Nov 2020, 07:16PM
  • Hi, Tom, your Davis family are listed as Church of Ireland in the Census and on that Rootsireland site.
    Large Davis was Baptised on the 1st March 1792.
    I saw an Anne Davis father Henry, Baptised 13th January 1799, is she your Anne?

    Also, I did find a death in 2009 of a Davis maiden name Dann.
    I was asked by a cousin to research for a friend of hers, a family of Dann, she didn't know but our Grandfather worked on the Dann estate at Ballynavin Castle.
    I emailed the my contact from the Dann family yesterday and asked her about this death and to find out was this Davis from Templemore, as they lived in the the old Dann house near Roscrea.
    As soon as I get a reply I will let you know.

    Hi Ballypierce,
     Knockballymaher  that is the burial ground for Quakers.
    Next time we are over in Ireland I will go these and see if I can find anything.

    To both of you....... Have either of you put in a name in Knockballymaher in the Find a Grave site?
    Margot
     

    Margot

    Monday 30th Nov 2020, 11:17AM
  • Hi Tom . I live Co Limerick Ireland. Are you Living in St. Thomas. I have being in London a few times . My people settled in London township & Biddulph.

    Can I email you direct.

     

    Ballypierce

    Monday 30th Nov 2020, 07:35PM
  • Margot,

    Yes Anne is one of my Davis'. She was Large Davis' sister. Henry and Sara (Dudley) children. They lived in Killea. Henry's brother James Davis, who also lived in Killea, is my 5th great grandfather. Most of Henry's children left Ireland for Canada. My 4th great grandfather, John Henry Davis (born 1793) left for Canada in 1818. Both my grandfather John and his cousins (children of Henry and Sara) all settled in the St. Thomas Ontario area. I found a Griffith record of Large Davis living in Templemore and his brother Henry Davis, living in Killawardy. Henry left for Canada in 1860's.  

    John and Frances Davis, parents of James and Henry Davis. Buried in Killea cemetery. I believe they settled in Killea, circa 1790. From where is the mystery! 

    James and Mary Davis had the following children, all born in Killea/Templemore:

    William Edward Davis, born 1792 and died 1792.

    John Henry Davis, born 1793, immigrated to Canada

    Richard Davis, born 1794 (possible match on a Richard Davis who died in 1869, Timoney, Roscrea)

    Joseph Davis, born 1796, (possible match for a marriage to a Mary Bowman. Had son John, born 1814. Joseph died and Mary remarried to a Searson, in Killea/Templemore

    Martha Davis, born 1798. Cannot find any other info

    Maria Jane Davis, born 1799. Cannot find any other info

    Frances Davis, born 1810 (I am skeptical of the record due to 1810 date being late in life for parents James and Mary having children)

     

    Henry (James brother) and Sara (Dudley) had following children, all born in Killea/Templemore

    Large Davis (born 1792. Griffith record showing Large owning several properties in Templemore)

    James Davis - 1796. Immigrated to Canada

    Anne Davis- 1799

    Frances Davis- 1801. Immirated to Canada

    Sarah Davis- 1804

    I dont believe the Davis' were Quakers. Possibly Sarah Dudley's family was. i did find a 'John' and 'James' Davis listed on a 1766 religious census for Moyaliff, Tipperary. They were farmers who lived in Holy Cross, which is not far from Templemore. They were part of a group of 19 protesant families who settled in the largely catholic area. Cannot find from where John and James came from and unable to make a connection between these Davis' and my Killea Davis'. 

    Where do you live now Margot? Your the first person i have communicated with that is from North Tipp! 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Davis

    Monday 30th Nov 2020, 11:30PM
  • Margot, yes my email is tdio7@aol.com. Thanks!

    Davis

    Monday 30th Nov 2020, 11:34PM
  • Hi,
    I was born in Nenagh, County Tipperary. Came to England before I was a year old.
    Now we live in Wales. In distance from birth to here is 265 miles.
    My father was from Athlacca, County Limerick.  (is this near to you Ballypierce?) 
    We go to Festivals in Ireland every year, in the day we just go around graveyards searching for information for people.
    Then we meet up with the cousins and friends. 

    Why I asked about Find a Grave there is....... I have sent a message to the contact named, if and when I get a reply I will let you know.
    Eleizer Dudley 1738 - 1800 (just the name and years, no picture)

    Mary Bowman and the Searson name rings bells! 
    I will have a look to see what I found. After 6 months I delete my searches, my PC tends to go slow if I keep everything.

    This is Mary's death in 1877, the address is Whitepark.   (the registrar is John A Powell..... I did a search for that family 3 weeks ago!)
    7201173.pdf (irishgenealogy.ie)

    I will see what I can find. 
    Cheers
    Margot

     

     

    Margot

    Tuesday 1st Dec 2020, 10:00AM

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