Hugh Smith from Cavan

Hi Richard,

Thank you for your message.

In order to find out more about Hugh, you really need to know where in Cavan he came from. 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.

Perhaps if you can find the couple?s marriage certificates which should list both the bride and groom?s place of residence giving you a clue as to where Hugh may have been from. Marriages usually took place in the bride?s parish of origin so even if you can find Bernard and Ellen?s record it should be helpful.

Civil registration became mandatory in Ireland in 1864 so if the marraiges took place after this date you should fin thme in these records. Civil records are available from the General Register?s Office in Dublin. Here is their website:

http://www.groireland.ie/research.htm

You can search the indexes to these records online at:

https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1408347

You could also try to look into church records in Catherine?s parish, do yo uknow what parish Cume Grove belonged to? I have been unable to find reference to it..

Most Catholic records are held locally so you may need to write to the local parish priest for possible assistance. One website that you may find useful is the Irish Times where they give an overview of what records are available in specific parishes. It also shows you where copies of the records are available. For parishes in Cavan, follow this link:

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/browse/counties/rcmaps/cavanrc.htm

Most surviving Church of Ireland records are still held by the local clergy, although some are in the National Archives of Ireland and others are in the Representative Church Body Library in Dublin. Here are their websites: http://www.nationalarchives.ie/ and http://ireland.anglican.org/about/42

Lists of these surviving registers can also be found at the National Library of Ireland.

You could also try looking for record of the family in Griffith?s Valuation. This is a property valuation survey that was carried out in Ireland 1848-1864. It doesn?t offer any genealogical information but it can sometimes be used to tie a person to a specific place. http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/

Some other websites that yo umay 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

Family Search: www.familysearch.org

Genaelogy Links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/cavan/index.html

You could also try contacting Cavan Genealogy for assistance, however a fee may apply. Here is their email address: cavangenealogy@eircom.net

I hope some of this is helpful. Remember to post any new information that you find here. 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