Maria Nixon came to Canada in 1907, sailing on the ship "S.S. Corsican" on Nov. 8, 1907, and settling in Carleton Place, Ontario. She was born circa 1877, or circa Feb. 1883 (conflicting data re her actual date of birth). Her brother James (known as "Jimmy") had come to Canada in 1905, and was already living in Carleton Place. He was born circa 1873. Their father remained in Ireland. My grandfather, Thomas Godfrey, helped both Maria & Jimmy to immigrate by paying their passage.
What I would like to know is the actual birth dates of both Maria and Jimmy, as well as of their parents Robert Nixon and his wife Elizabeth Beatty. Were there other members of this family? As well, any other information on this family, their activities, organizations, farms, occupations, etc. Maria was a staunch supporter of the Loyal Orange Lodge after she came to Canada.
I would appreciate any help or data which may be available. Thank you.
Ken Godfrey - Toronto, Canada
Friday 1st Feb 2013, 11:18PM
Message Board Replies
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Hi Ken,
Thank you for your message.
Regarding Maria and Jimmy?s birth dates, given their dates of birth, you should be able to find their birth records in Civil Registration Records. (Civil Registration only became mandatory in 1864) These records are available from the General Registers Office in Dublin. Here is a link to their website:
http://www.groireland.ie/research.htm
You can search the indexes to these registers online here:
https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1408347
You could also try looking at Church records for information. Most Catholic records are held locally. One website which you may find useful is the Irish Times website where they give an overview of that records are available in specific parishes. For Galloon parish follow this link:
For Church of Ireland records check http://ireland.anglican.org/about/42 and http://www.nationalarchives.ie/. The Anglican Record Project is has created an index to their records: http://ireland.anglican.org/cmsfiles/pdf/AboutUs/library/AngRecord/bunclodyunionindex.pdf
You could also try looking for the family in Griffith?s Valuation. This is a property valuation survey that was carried out in Ireland 1848-1864. You can search these here:
http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/
There is also an earlier land record called the Tithe Applotment Books (1823-1838) found at http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp
Have you tried checking the 1901/1911 census records for any family that were still in the area? Here is the link:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/
Some other websites which you may 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
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
The Library & Archives of Canada - http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/index-e.html
Genealogy Links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/fermanagh/index.html
You could also contact the Irish World Heritage Centre for assistance-however a fee may apply.
Irish World Heritage Centre,
51 Dungannon Road,
Coalisland,
Co. Tyrone
B71 4HP
Phone: +44 28 8774 6065 Email: info@irish-world.com
I hope this is helpful. Please be patient - as our programme has only begun to rollout across the island of Ireland and volunteers in some areas may not yet be organized.
Kind regards,
Genealogy Support
Friday 5th Apr 2013, 12:25PM