Phelan / Cooper

Doug:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

We have a parish liaison in Abbeyleix. I will alert her to your message. If you have not heard back in two weeks or so, please let me know. By the way, as far as I can see, the records for Maryborough RC parish start in 1826. Here is a link to the parish register for most of the 19th century. https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0714

Roger McDonnell

Thank you.    I'm still learning my way around this site. 

Doug Phelan
 

Hi there everyone

I am still searching for factual information about my 3rd great Grandfather Thomas Phelan and his wife Mary Cooper

My records pointed to his birth about 1788 Maryborough,(Portalaise) Co.Laois, Ireland  but now I'm seeing references to Queen's County (Which was a large area).  

 I was able to document his death  on 26 Aug 1865  at  Mascouche (Paroisse St-Henri), Co. L'Assomption, Quebec Canada

Mary Cooper also born about 1788 - possibly in  Maryborough,(Portalaise) Co.Laois, Ireland. She died on 04 Jan 1867 at  L'Assomption, Quebec

Another researcher on Ancestry.com showed that Thomas Phelan & Mary Cooper married at St, Thomas Parish, Portalaise, Maryborough Dist, Queen's Co, Ireland in 1811.  I have not found any indication that this church existed.

They Came to canada between 1826 & 1854 but I still have no record of their arrival.

They had at least 6 children. All born in Ireland and all died in Canada

     William   abt:1811 - 15 Nov 1868  (from whom I am a descendant)

      Mary       1814 – u/k

     Charles    1815 -10 Sep 1874   

     John         1823 -  24 Feb 1888

     Joseph     1824 - 28 Feb 1896

     Michael   1826 -  u/k  

I have been unable to determine any of Thomas & Mary's ancestors, but it is possible that Thomas'. parents were a "Michl PHELAN & Mary DOWLING. 

I have not found any info on Why, when & how they came to Canada. They settled in a small farming community outside of Montreal Quebec.

I’m hoping that someone may have some reference to these family members, or sources that confirm any of this info.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this lengthy posting.

Doug Phelan

Doug:

Prior to 1921 Co. Laois was Queens Co.

The Maryborough/Portlaois RC records start in April 1826 for marriages and May 1826 for baptisms. I researched the subscription site Roots Ireland and there were no Phelan baptismal records in Co. Laois where the father was Thomas and the mother with the surname Cooper.

Not sure how someone had a marriage record from 1811 for Maryborough unless it was oral history or  from a Family Bible.

Roger

Hi Roger

Thank you for your reply and research.    This is a frustrating family group for sure.  The Birth locations for the kids all came from death registers in Canada or in some cases marriage records.  I can find no confirmation of birth , baptism or immigration to Canada of these people.     I'm beginning to think that I need to spread my search into neighbouring towns or Counties.

I did find a baptism record for a Thomas Phelan with parents Michl Phelan & Mary Dowling. But I can't say with any certainity, that it is MY Thomas Phelan.

 Then I located a Notary Public record (index only) about a transaction between Thomas Phelan & Mary Dowling in 1859 near Montreal.... So is it possible that Mary Dowling came to Canada with Thomas & family.... yes it is.   but so far I have only the index and have sent to the Quebec archives for the original document.

You mentioned   :"Not sure how someone had a marriage record from 1811 for Maryborough"      Yes your right  That should have said "BEFORE 1811"  when the first kids were born

Thank you for help with research

Doug Phelan