I have reached a "brickwall" with information in Co Waterford for Dennis O'Sullivan/Sullivan born about 1819. He married and also died in the United States. I have no proof that his parents were Dennis and Mary; however, those two names came up once in a search I did some time ago.
I believe he met his wife in New York state. Whether or not they knew each other in Ireland, I can't prove. She was Mary McDonnell born about 1829 Castlelyons, Co Cork, Ireland. Her parents were John McDonnell and Ellen Barry.
I need help with information, church etc Thank you.
John
NEMSTC
Monday 18th Feb 2013, 10:32PMMessage Board Replies
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Hello there John
The parish registers of Kilgobinet RC parish begin in 1848 for both marriages and baptisms so are unfortunately are too late for Denis O'Sullivan. I checked the Tithe Applotment Books 1823-37 (a vand valuation) but there's no Sullivan/O'Sullivan listed for Kilgobinet.
The parish of Kilgobinet is quite rural and includes part of the Comeragh mountains within its boundaries. The river Colligan also runs through it and altogether it creates a very picturesque setting. In Irish Kilgobinet is Cill Ghobnait which means the Church of Saint Gobinet (female). The wider area of west Waterford saw great hardship during the Famine years (1847-50) with significant emigration as a result.
The emigrant trail from Waterford and surrounding counties to Newfoundland had begun a couple of generations earlier in the late 1700s when scores of men left here for the fishing season to fish for cod in Talamh an ?isc - which translates as 'the fishing grounds' or 'the land of fish'. In time they began to overwinter rather than risk the long and hazardous journey across the Atlantic.
I hope the above is of interest to you John. Good luck with your search
Tony Hennessy
waterfordorigins
Friday 1st Mar 2013, 11:47PM