Good Morning,
I am researching my great grandfather, Thomas Smith. Below is the information I have:
Thomas Smith was born in Co. Monaghan, Ireland in 1824 and came to New York by ship around 1850. He signed up with General Fremont and came west, across the plains with him. Mining was big in the west at that time and he ended up in a mining camp at Chinese Camp (Tuolumne Co.). I have not been able to get a death or marriage Certificate to confirm his parents names, however, I still continue to work on that. Thomas had two brothers that we know of, born in Ireland, James Smith and Michael Smith that joined him in California. The family was Roman Catholic and Thomas was buried in a Catholic cemetery and his grave marker states "Native of Co. Monaghan, Ireland" (see inscription below).
"Died Nov. 26, 1877. AGED 53 Yrs. & 10 Ms.
Native of Co. Monaghan, Ireland.
May his soul rest in peace.
Farewell my wife and children all,
From you a father Christ doth call.
Mourn not for me. It is in vain,
To call me to your sight again.
Erected by his beloved wife"
I don't have his parents names but if the Irish Naming Pattern was used, his 2nd daughter (Father's Mother), was Margaret Ellen Smith (Maggie) and his 1st son (Father's Father) was James Peter Smith.
Any information or research suggestions/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Liz
Wednesday 5th Jul 2023, 03:18PMMessage Board Replies
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Liz:
A couple comments:
The surname was likely Smyth in Ireland.
Many immigrants made themselves younger when they can came to their new country so it is quite possible that Thomas was born before 1824.
Many of the RC parishes in Co. Monaghan do not have records back to 1824.
I did a search on Roots Ireland using James as the father and then Peter as the family and did not find a Thomas Smyth baptismal record in Co. Monaghan in the 1820s.
Have you considered DNA testing?
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Wednesday 5th Jul 2023, 04:35PM -
Liz,
One question...why does Thomas have a different surname from his two brothers?
Carolyn
Wednesday 5th Jul 2023, 05:10PM -
Hi Roger,
Thank you for the information and for checking Roots Ireland for a baptismal record for Thomas Smith/Smyth. I am in the process of getting a death certificate and am hopeful his parents names will be listed on the certificate when received. I did have my DNA tested through Ancestry but have not realized any matches through this line.
Carolyn,
Thomas had two brothers, James Smith/Smyth (born around 1826) and Michael Smith/Smyth (born around 1835) that eventually came to the USA and joined Thomas. I made an error in my post using the surname McMahon in error. McMahon was Thomas Smith's wife Mary's maiden name. I will make an edit to change the name to Smith. Thank you!
Liz
Thursday 6th Jul 2023, 01:52PM -
Hello,
I tried looking this up because I have Irish Smith / Smyth branch
It is a difficult one because he is RC but in a northern county, predominantly protestant.
In the search I found two records the same - this happens when someone has researched and found a problem on FindMyPast records - they just make an alternative record.
I searched 1824 +/- 2yrs to get this and it gave no date but the 4th of April was suggested on the second record? No year but it must be 1922 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6?
The Parish is Aughnamullen West
http://registers.nli.ie//registers/vtls000632790#page/1/mode/1up
The register is a devil to read and I think, as some registers do, the name of the priest is included. It is better for you to decide rather than me guess?
What seems to tie in is Michael born 1839 (five years on calculated dates is nothing - age was not so important as it is now)
Johannes Smyth = Catherine McCarthy (Caffry?)
14th July 1839
http://registers.nli.ie//registers/vtls000632885#page/1/mode/1up
Seamus Crowe, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Friday 7th Jul 2023, 07:10AM -
Thank you for the information Seamus!
Liz
Friday 7th Jul 2023, 08:17PM