Jane probably born about 1831? Jane evidently had brothers Philip, Arthur and sister Margaret. Would appreciate any info on parents and family and location etc. Jane married a convict Pedro Sorres (Sorrez) and they came to New Zealand after their release. One of their children is my great grandma. Any info would be awesome. Thanks Sue
Thursday 19th Apr 2018, 09:35AM
Message Board Replies
-
McVally is not a common name in Ireland. In the 1901 census there were just 20 in the whole country. None in Co. Fermanagh at all. McNally is a little more common, with 8 in Fermanagh in the 1901 census, of whom 6 were born in the county. Griffiths Valuation in 1862 had 4 McNally households in the county, all in either Derryvullan or Drumkeeran civil parishes.
Jane was born long before birth registration started in Ireland (1864) so to trace her you need to rely on church records. Unfortunately not all RC parishes in Fermanagh have records for the 1830s. The records that do exist are on-line on Ancestry and elsewhere. I searched for Jane (under both McVally & McNally) but without success. No-one named McVally anywhere in Ireland and none of the McNally baptisms was in Fermanagh. So she possibly came from a parish with no records for that period. Likewise I found no trace of Philip, Arthur or Margaret born in Fermanagh.
Derryvullan civil parish is in the RC parish of Irvinestown. Their records start in 1846. Drumkeeran is in Magheraculmoney RC parish. Their records start in 1836.
Possibly DNA testing may be a way of matching with others who have additional information about where the family originates. Family Tree DNA reportedly has more people with Ulster roots than any other company. That obviously increases the chances of finding a match. You might want to try them or, if you have already tested, you can transfer your results to them for no fee.
The North of Ireland Family History Society are running an Ulster DNA project and can offer FTDNA testing kits at a reduced price. http://www.nifhs.org (Go to DNA project on the website).
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Thursday 19th Apr 2018, 11:16AM -
Thanks Elwyn for your prompt response and helpful info. The name is found in various forms. McVally, McValley, McNally, McNalley etc and also with no capitals! Just to confuse us more. Poor Jane must have had a tough life to start off with, hopefully she had a few good years in NZ. Lots of info on the convicts in Tasmania, I would love more on her beginnings in Ireland, so will check out what you have come up with anyway and it might help.
I have just had my DNA results back and hopefully be getting a bit of help getting this organised and online. You people are doing a great job helping us reconnect to Ireland. Sue
Friday 20th Apr 2018, 12:37AM