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The "Informant" for the birth of Michael Walsh, my great-great-uncle, on 21 Aug 1864 was "James Reilly, Grandfather, Landholder, Prison" (see the Civil Record). When I checked Griffith's Valuation (Print Date 1857), four Occupiers named James Reily are listed for the townland of Prison, East: James Reily (Murtagh), James Reily (Bryan), James Reily (Matthew) and James Reily (Bryan). Sir Compton Domvile is shown as the Landlord. 

Is an "Occupier" or "Tenant" different than a "Landholder"? Would there be a record of land owners that is separate from Griffith's Valuation? Is there a way to determine which of the four occupants, if any, is my 3xgrt-grandfather James Reily?  

Thank you sincerely for your help.

Elizabeth Byrne 

eliz

Tuesday 6th Aug 2019, 04:14PM

Message Board Replies

  • Hi Elizabeth
    there's also 'TheTithe Applotments Books' just Google this online. If you want to know about ownership, then as far as I know (I'm new to genecology, recently started my own family tree) then you need to go to the Registry of Deeds in Dublin where they have the information of who owned what in those years. P. S. My great great grandfatherange was Patt McEllin 1811 - 1881 from Ballinagran Prison married to Mary Sheridan whose mother was Catherine Walsh from Ballyclogher in Prison. We are related I'm pretty sure. I have Reilly in my tree too. ☺
    l would appreciate any info on my Patt McEllin 1811 as I can only find his death certificate so far, and need his birth certificate to finally tie up the different McEllin relationships even though I have lots of other evidence as to his line.
    Regards
    Helen (Irwin)

    Helen

    Sunday 25th Aug 2019, 01:02PM
  • Hi Elizabeth
    there's also 'TheTithe Applotments Books' just Google this online. If you want to know about ownership, then as far as I know (I'm new to geneology, recently started my own family tree) then you need to go to the Registry of Deeds in Dublin where they have the information of who owned what in those years. P. S. My great great grandfather was Patt McEllin 1811 - 1881 from Ballinagran Prison married to Mary Sheridan whose mother was Catherine Walsh from Ballyclogher in Prison. We are related I'm pretty sure. I have Reilly in my tree too. ☺
    l would appreciate any info on my Patt McEllin 1811 as I can only find his death certificate so far, and need his birth certificate to finally tie up the different McEllin relationships even though I have lots of other evidence as to his line.
    Regards
    Helen (Irwin)

    Helen

    Sunday 25th Aug 2019, 01:07PM
  • Elizabeth,

    The term Land Holder in Ireland meant someone with about one or two acres of land. So better off than a labourer but not big enough to be described as a farmer.

    Testifying before a Royal Commission in 1886, Dr Grimshaw, the Registrar General of Ireland said: “ There is a very common return in the Census – “land holder”, a great number of the labourers return themselves as landholders – they won’t demean themselves by calling themselves labourers and they are not dignified enough to call themselves farmers.”

    Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Tuesday 3rd Aug 2021, 11:56AM

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