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Greetings,

I am searching for the homeland within Laois of Thomas Selby, b. 31 January 1779 in the county. His father is reputed to be John William Selby, who may have been born in England. The frequently repeated story about the family is that family members named John and James Selby went to Ireland to fight with King William in 1690.

Thomas Selby and two of his brothers emigrated to Ontario, Canada. There he married Sarah Wellen Phillips about 1807. He fought in the War of 1812 and was known as Col. Selby.

 I will be visiting Ireland in April and would be interested in learning more about the family. These are ancestors of mine.

Thank you,

Anne Murray

Port Angeles, Washington, USA

Friday 27th Feb 2015, 10:50PM

Message Board Replies

  • I'm sorry I thought I had posted this message on the County Laois Board. 

     

    Anne

    Friday 27th Feb 2015, 11:01PM
  • Anne:

    There are very few church records available for 1779. I checked on Roots Ireland and there was no baptismal record for Thomas Selby from 1774-1784.

    I could not locate any Selby records in Co. Laois in the Tithe records from 1820s-1830s.

    Enjoy your trip to Ireland!

    Roger McDonnell

     

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Friday 27th Feb 2015, 11:37PM
  • Hello Anne,

    This reply is probably a bit late for you, as I see you are visiting Ireland in April. I will start with a question. What was the religion of your ancestors? , This would indicate which church records, if any, might be relevant. As your previous responder has said, the records get more scant the fiurther we go back.

    I have a few references to Selby in Co. Laois as follows which may of interest:

    On a list of freeholders for Co. Laois(then known as Queen,s Co.) there is a listing of a John Selby at Abbeyleix with property at Rossmore dated 1759. Abbeyleix is a town in Co. Laois. Unfortunately there are four placenames called Rossmore in the County and there is no indication on the record as to which one is proper to John Selby.

    On the tithe record a George Selby is listed at Tennakilly, parish of Offerlane in Co. Laois. This record is dated 1828. It is possible to identify Tennakilly Even though the present day spelling is Tinnakill, variations in spelling are not uncommon on old records.

    The next record is that known as Griffith's Valuation and on this a George Selby (probably the same as on the tithe record) is listed at Tinnakill. This record is dated 1850. A map accompanies Griffith's Valuation, therefore it is possible to pinpoint this location.

    The last set of records are the Census of 1901&1911. These show a Selby family still living at Tinnakill.I have looked at the telephone directory for the area but there is no listing of Selby and so far have been unable to find out when they may have left the area.

    It is highly probable that these Selbys are connected to you for two reasons;

    1. The name is not plentiful even in Ireland.

    2.In my research, the above were the only references to Selby in Co. Laois.

    The above records are available online at the websites listed below:

    Freeholders of Co. Laois:

    http://www.igp-web.com/laois//freeholders/free8.htm

    Tithe Records:

    http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/results.jsp

    Griffith's Valuation:

    http://griffiths.askaboutireland.ie

    Census of 1901/1911:

    http://www.nationalarchives.ie

    If you let me know when you are in Ireland and if you wish, I might be able to meet you and show you the places that are listed in this message.

    Whatever you decide, I wish you safe and happy travels in Ireland.

     

    Best wishes,

    Paddy Lacey,

    Ballyadams, Co.Laois

    Ballyadams Laois

    Sunday 29th Mar 2015, 10:46PM
  • Hi Anne, my grandfather was George Selby of Tinnakill, married to Sarah Gibson. They had  five children, one of whom is my mother Maureen Selby who is still living today in Castletown, Co. Laois having spent the previous fifty-four years in England. The other siblings are alive apart from Liam whose memorial plaque can be seen in the photographs of the old graveyard in Anatrim. I hope you find this post and that it is helpful for you. Regards, Catherine Violett.

    Sunday 8th Nov 2015, 07:13PM
  • Hi, Anne, I've just come across a photocopy of some Camross parish records. The first mention of a William Selby is undated but  a subsequent William is D.O.B. 13.3.1881.

    Sunday 8th Nov 2015, 07:23PM

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