Looking for the best way to research my Great-Great Grandparents

Dear Mary:

Many thanks for your query to Ireland Reaching Out. 

My best advice to you is to try to find out as much as you possibly can from the U.S. (Rochester) before you come over.  Do you have any church records that might give a clue as to where they came from or even when they came over? Anything on death certs, marriage certs, birth certs may also be helpful.  I know from past experience, that one document can yield a lot more than another.    In addition, any family members ( witnesses to marriages) might also yield clues to even try to pin down an area or county in Ireland.  This would be a huge help.  If you have any naturalization records, this can also be a great help as sometimes, they do list a county. 

If you need any further assistance or have any questions, please let me know. 

Kind regards,

Jane

Hi Mary.

As well as what Jane suggested above you should also check the headstones in the graveyard as this often contains the name of the county or parish. Also the death may have a write up in the local newspaper after his death and this can give a great lot of information.

The Census records and the shipping records are all very helpfull too.

You do really need to do your research over there as there is very little here  for the time period you are looking at.

Regards Anne.

Anne

Thank you for your suggestions.  I have searched immigration records and cemetary records and none have  produced any results.  My great-grandfather Thomas' grave does not have a headstone, and I haven't found his birth record as our state didn't start recording them until 1860s.  I will continue with church and parish records locally,