Michael Burke and Eliza (Long) Burke Galway, Ireland

Hi Karen,

There are Roman Catholic church records available for the diocese of Clonrush (Killaloe). These date from 1846 for both baptismal and marriage records. You can find these at the National Library of Ireland, Pos. 2476, or the Church of Latter Day Saints, ref. no. 0926093 item 1. If you have any difficulty, you could try writing to the parish priest for more assistance.

You could also try this website: http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/genealog.htm

Or this is also a very useful site: http://www.rootsireland.ie/

Civil registration records are available from the General Register Office (GRO). These start from 1864 however. You can access the website here: http://www.groireland.ie/research.htm

You could also try checking the land records called the Tithe Applotment Books (1823-38) or the later Griffth's Valuation (1848-64). Griffith's is freely available here: www.askaboutireland.com or here: www.failteromhat.com Failte Romhat has lots of other useful links you could try looking at.

You could also investigate the 1908 Old Age Pension records. Eliza and Michael would have qualified for this in 1909, and if they were still alive then, they may have applied for it. Claims were substantiated using the 1841 and 1851 census records. These records were destroyed in 1922 when the PRO caught fire in Dublin making the 1908 Pensions information invaluable today. Ages listed in 1841 and 1851 census returns can vary greatly for the same person. Many inaccuracies occur and you should be aware of this when researching. http://www.ireland-genealogy.com/

Please make sure you link anyone else in your family who is interested in their Irish heritage to our site - and indeed anyone else you know of Irish heritage.

Kind regards,

Sinead Cooney

Genealogist (Ireland XO)

Hi Karen:

I saw your message on the message board and thought that I might be able to shed further light for you.

I do know that the two townlands that you are talking about are located in East County Clare.  At one time, they were listed in County Galway, along with a couple of other townlands such as Moynoe in Scariff. 

Furnace is located in the parish of Whitegate in County Clare. Drummaan is located in Mountshannon, County Clare.  You might have more luck searching from those parishes.  Griffith's Valuation might have more information for you. 

Best of luck in your search.

Jane.

Tulla, Clare.