From what port would persons living in or around Dungarvin and Abbeyside have likely left to travel to America in the mid to late 1840s? Would they have gone to Cobh/Queenstown, or across the water to Liverpool ? Or did transAtlantic shipping directly serve the Waterford ports?
I'm trying to track down William Douglas, whom I believe to have been born on the Isle of Man ca.1820. He married Anne Grant of Abbeyside in either 1843 or 1845, and had a son named William in 1845 in Waterford. The next trace I can find so far is his Declaration of Intent to Naturalize in New Orleans in Sept of 1849. I'm almost certain that I've found him as a night watchman in Louisiana in the US 1850 census.
The records may not have survived. There are many gaps in early -to-mid nineteenth century US passenger lists. I'm also told that many ships went from Ireland to Canada, with people traveling south to the US from there.
Any suggestions will be appreciated. Many Thanks!
D. Simmons
Friday 16th Aug 2013, 09:47PMMessage Board Replies
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Hello, I have been asked to look at unanswered queries, length of time no object!!!!
I found 2 William Douglas marriages all to Ann Grant, oddly different years and different religions and all in Waterford, oddly I think they are the same people.
First up they are C of I (Anglican marriage) and married in 1843 in Dungarvan, his address is given as Ardglass, Coutny Down, now in Northern Ireland, date of marriage is 22 December, witnesses are John Grant and Michael Whelan, no bridesmaid, note on record states "With Consent of Parents" may mean one is underage as in not 18. The address is as you state, Abbeyside, again in 1845 the same names marry in Abbeyside, this time as RC in Dungarvan. Date 17th July. Witnesses are John Grant and Mary Keane. There is a good County Down website here https://rosdavies.com/ a lot of William Douglas mentioned but do not see Ardglass. There is a very active Down genealogy page on Facebook, private, apply to join.
There are two children born to the Douglas / Grant RC version in 1845 William and 1847 a Mary, no more, this was Abbeyside too.
Travel to the US via Canada was because it was much cheaper to go to Canada as it was in the Empire so sort of local travel so people often got the cheap fare and then moved south. There was trade with Canada, Nova Scotia etc from Waterford from very early times. Migration was from the places you mention but also from many small ports too, remember black 47 was the worst year of the famine but coastal regions were not as affected, fish main reason.
I have come across a lot of migration to Louisanna, sometimes people went and others followed or the church might be aware of land or work available in the area and the local parish priest would announce it etc.
Waterford Library or archives may have more info if you mail them.
Good Luck
Pat
Pat O Holloran, IrelandXO Volunteer
Sunday 25th Feb 2024, 12:07AM