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Hi, I am looking to find a x3 grandad named James Cummins (Commons?) from Queens County. I am assuming he was born about 1829? and died in1861 (fact) He married a Bridget or Biddy McDonald, born about 1826 and married about 1847. Between them they had Maria,1850-1924 NY. Elizabeth, 1858-1914 NY.. Francis, 1853-1925, NY. Joseph 1855-? John William 1860 -1947 (Dublin). After James death in 1861 she left for New York.

I have a James Commins death, 23rd Feb 1861 in Ballon and Rathoe, could this be the right one, I just cannot confirm his parents and where he actually lived and died. How can I confirm my x3 Grandad and from what records i.e. his parents or from burial records, the cemetery etc., . I looked at the 1850 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing for Clonyhurk civil parish and there were two Cummins records and five McDonnell records https://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/offaly/clonyhurk.html

Any Information, help or direction to get through or over this brick wall, to confirm James Cummins and Bridget Mc Donald (Mc Donnell) parents and would be greatly appreciated.

Des Cummins

 

 

Des Cummins

Wednesday 19th Jun 2019, 10:51AM

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  • Des:

    I wrote to our systems administrator and asked if she can find the message and restore it to the message board.

    Roger

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Wednesday 19th Jun 2019, 03:00PM
  • Des:

    I think the 1847 marriage is correct.

    I searched on the subscription site Roots Ireland and found four baptismal records in Portarlington RC church for children of James Cummins and Bridget (Biddy) McDonald: William 1848 Mary 1850 Joseph 1855 John 1860. Three of the names match up with your list.

    I don't think the 1861 death record is correct. Ballon and Rathoe RC parish is in Co. Carlow. Very few RC parishes maintained death information. Ballon and Rathoe was an exception.

    Civil registration of deaths did not begin until 1864.

    The civil parish corresponding to Portarlington RC parish is Lea. In the Griffiths Valuation for Lea civil parish there is a listing for a James Commins in Ballybrittas townland. This could be your ancestor. 

    The Portarlington baptismal records start in 1826. I did not find a record for a James Commins or Bridget McDonald in that time period.

    Roger McDonnell

     

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Friday 9th Jun 2023, 03:51PM
  • Thank You again Roger. It mystifies me and I am no further, they really dont want to be found. I will look at the Lea records, for a James Commins in Ballybrittas townland. Any further suggestions please mail me

     

    Regards and many thanks again.

    Des

    Des Cummins

    Saturday 10th Jun 2023, 05:05PM
  • Hi Roger
    I found another James Cummins marrying a "Bess McDonald" in Portarlington which I discounted some time ago.  Do you think this could be them. I know I am grasping at straws at this point, but if you could throw a quick eye over it PLEASE I would value your opnion

    Regards
    Des

    Des Cummins

    Sunday 11th Jun 2023, 01:25PM
  • Des:

    I saw that record and eliminated the record as a possibility. There was only one baptismal record for James Commons and Bess McDonald in all of Co. Laois-- an Eliza baptized in 1843. The 1847 marriage fit with the years you listed for the birth of the children plus three of the baptismal names matched up with your list.

    Roger

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Sunday 11th Jun 2023, 04:42PM
  • Thanks Roger.

    I know as a written fact from John James's Son, born 1860 when he joined the army, he states that his father died when he was one and he lived with his "Grandmother McDonald" He joined the army on the 23/9/1881 as John McDonald and discharged 22/9/1893.Also his birth cert is from Portarlington. We have a possibility that a James Cummins who died 1861in "Rathrush" is that far away from Portarlington?. I am also wondering about graveyard listings from 1860, for the area or any other fountains of knowledge I should be looking up or should I just give up the ghost on James ... I just cant seem to get past Cummins / McDonald Family other than John 1861 + family. 

    Regards

    Des

    Des Cummins

    Monday 12th Jun 2023, 11:15AM

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