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Looking for any information on James Dunfee, born 1842 in Kilkenny. He married Catherine Conestain (or a variation of this name), born 11 Feb 1840 (based on 1901 & 1911 Canada Census) in Ireland- though death notice says 1834. He was Catholic. He moved to Port Hope, Ontario around 1881 where he was a Labourer. It appears Catherine may have moved to Ontario earlier but this is not clear as one census says 1845 & another 1860. Her father's name was Misshel; mother Mary White. I have no information on either of her parents. His parents were Luke Dunphy/Dunfee & Mary Walsh.

What I have on James:

Bn Co. Kilkenny '42; em '52. H/o Catherine Coanstain. F/o Jas. & Mrs. Jas. Cashen. Also 4/4(obit).

A notice in the 06 Mar 1896 Port Hope Weekly Guide states:

James Dunfee, the subject of this notice, was born in the County of Kilkenny, Ireland, 25 Dec 1842. He came to Canada as a boy at the age of 10, with his parents, and has been in Port Hope for 44 years and in the employment of Mr Beamish for over 40 years. He worked in the plaster mill (where he was milling grain) until 12 o’clock Tuesday night and went to bed after partaking of a cup of coffee, and before 1 o’clock next morning he fell into that sleep which knows no waking. He was of a most retiring disposition, and everyone had a good word to say about Mr. Dunfee.. All of the farmers in this part of the country knew and respected him. In addition to his aged widow, he leaves one son, Mr James Dunfee, grocer, and one daughter, Mrs James Cashen, of Coburg, who is now with her mother. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, to St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Any leads would be most appreciated. thanks, Marcia

Marcia

Thursday 24th Jul 2014, 05:57PM

Message Board Replies

  • Hi Mugsy

    The only Dunfee birth/baptism record in Tyrone 1844 + - 10 years on www.rootsireland.ie/ is JOHN DINFY (remember mis-transcriptions and illiteracy) in 1846

    http://ifhf.rootsireland.ie/quis.php?page=1&confirmPageView=Y

    I couldn't find a record for the marriage of Catherine's parents or her birth.

    The Tithe Applotments 1823-37 (free online) do not have any Dunfees in any county nor do Griffiths Valuation 1848-64 (free online) or the 1901 & 1911 Irish Censuses (also free)!

    So, I went back to rootsireland and there are 5329 birth/baptism records for Dunfee but only 8 in Tyrone.

    The majority were from Kilkenny (2551) & Waterford (1291)

    The trees on ancestry (yours?) only have the info you have supplied and www.irishgenealogy.ie/ has nothing.

    Family Search only has his death so I'm a mug on this one too I'm afraid - sorry.

    Col 

    .

     

    ColCaff, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Friday 25th Jul 2014, 04:59AM
  • Frankly col, I think you are wonderful for taking the time to assist me in my research!!!  I have been hitting my head against the wall with all my Irish background. Canadian records have been far easier, to a point!

    I was hoping since he was Catholic it may be an easier find. Yes, Marcia's family in Ancestry is mine and it is the extent of my knowledge. I do have pictures for the Dunfees; of James' son and his son, my grandfather, which I haven't put into Ancestry (as far as I remember). Hard keeping it all straight. I usually try to do one family at a time but thought with this site I would just put it all out there!

     

    I will check Roots Ireland for the 8 in Tyrone. Thank you so much, Marcia

    Marcia

    Friday 25th Jul 2014, 05:18AM

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