I am a descendant of Timothy O'Rourke, son of Thomas O'Rourke of Dowra, Co.Leitrim, and would like to visit the area, but do not know the parish that he came from. Timothy emigrated with his brother James and uncle Bart O'Rourke in 1852, on a steamer/sail ship bound for the port of New Castle, Delaware. He met Bridget Stretch of Roscommon and together they raised seven children together in Janesville, WI.
Any suggestions on locating the parish, or finding family connections in the area would be apprecitated.
PWS
Sunday 17th Nov 2019, 11:07PMMessage Board Replies
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PWS:
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!
Here is a little background on the village of Dowra. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dowra I believe the Leitrim side would be in the civil parish of Drumreilly Upper. The RC parish would be Corlough and Drumreilly. However, baptismal records for that parish do not begin until 1878.
Here is a link to the 1857 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing for Drumreilly civil parish https://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/leitrim/drumreilly.htm There are a number of Rourke records including a Thomas in Cornamucklagh North townland which is a short drive from Dowra. However, we do not know if your Thomas was still living in 1857 an dleasing land.
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Monday 18th Nov 2019, 05:30PM