Katherine Dooley - born March 1858

Hi Deborah,

Thank you for your message.

Unfortunately, it will be difficult to find information if you do not have a specific place of origin. Most Irish record sources- church records, land records, census records- are based on specific locations. Until you know a specific location within Ireland, preferably a parish or placename, it may be difficult to do anything more with these records.

Do you have any documentation belonging to the family (official or unofficial) that mentions any townland, parish, village or town?

Have you tried looking into her emigration? Generally more information was given at the port of arrival rather that n that of departure so this may be a place to find more information-and possibly even a more exact place of origin. For information on immigration records in the US check the National Archives at the following web address:

http://www.archives.gov/research/immigration/

As she arrived in New York around 1892 she was most likely processed at Castlegarden. You can search their database here:

http://www.castlegarden.org/

Have you tried doing a search for her or any family members that you know of at www.familysearch.org ? This is a huge database of genealogical records compiled by the Church of the Latter Day Saints. It contains marriage and birth certs from the pre-1871 period so if you can one relevant to Katherine?s family it may give you a parish name.

Some other websites which you may find useful are:

The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/

The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx

The National Archives UK ? genealogy search: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/

The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm

The US National Archives: http://www.archives.gov/

Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/index.htm

I hope that you are able to identify a place of origin. Once you have this more avenues of research will open up to you. Remember to post any new information that you find. The more information you post, the more likely it is that one of our volunteers will be able to advise or assist you. Also include information concerning which sources you may have already used so others may further your search.

Please be patient - as our programme has only begun to rollout across the island of Ireland and volunteers in some areas may not yet be organized.

Kind regards,                      

Genealogy Support