Reilly

Hi,

Thank you for your message.

Unfortunately it may be difficult to find more information without a more exact 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.

Have you tried looking through all documentation passed down, both official or unofficial, to see if there is another place name mentioned? This could include census records, wills, property/financial records, diaries, letters, family bibles.

Have you tried looking into Henry and Francis? immigration records? Although the inforamtion in these can sometimes be hit an miss you may be lucky and find something useful. For immigration records in Canad check the National Libraries and Archives at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/index-e.html

It is also important to be aware that it may be difficult to find records belonging to the family before 1800. as the reality of finding documentation pertaining to births/baptisms/marriages/deaths in Ireland prior to 1800 ? particularly in rural areas ? is that they simply may not exist. As the Church of Ireland was the official church of the country at the time the bulk of what does survive is often from these registers. FOr more information on C of I records go to http://ireland.anglican.org/about/42 and http://www.nationalarchives.ie/.

I did a search for Reilly in the Flax growers List of 1796 and found a William Reilly.This was part of a government scheme to encourage the linen trade, free spinning wheels or looms were granted to individuals planting a certain area of land with flax. The lists of those entitled to the awards, covering almost 60,000 individuals, were published in 1796. Unfortunately, they  record only the names of the individuals and the civil parish in which they lived so it is difficult to know whether the person listed is relevant to you or not-however it may be a start. The parish listed was Derrynoose:

http://www.failteromhat.com/flax/armagh.htm

Some other websites that you may find useful in your research 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

Genealogy links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/armagh/index.html

It may also be an idea to contact Armagh Ancestry for assistance, however a fee may apply. Here are their contact details:

Armagh Ancestry,

40 English Street,

Armagh,

BT61 7BA,

Northern Ireland.

Phone: +44 28 3752 1800 EMail: researcher@armagh.gov.uk

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.

Kind regards,

Genealogy Support