McAvoy/McEvoy Inquiry

Hi Judith,

You might try checking the land records called the Tithe Applotment Books (1823-38) or the later Griffith's Valuation (1848-64)for some of the McAvoy/McEvoy relatives. The Tithe Applotment Books (1823-38): Microfilm copies of the books for all of Ireland are available at the National Archives of Ireland (NAI) http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/tithe-applotment-books-and-the-primary-griffith-valuation/ or the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS). 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.

Do you know much about their emigration? Dates, the reason why they left, etc.? Generally more information was given at the port of arrival rather than the port of departure. If you knew which city they arrived at (e.g. Castle Garden, New York etc...), this could be a good place to find more information. 

Church records may also be of use to you. Church of Ireland parish registers for the period up to 1870 are public records. Registers are available for about one third of the parishes, however many were destroyed in the Public Records Office in Dublin in 1922. Most are still held by the local clergy, although some are in the National Archives of Ireland and others are in the Representative Church Body Library in Dublin. A list of all surviving registers is available in the National Archives. http://ireland.anglican.org/about/42 and http://www.nationalarchives.ie/. Some Catholic registers are held at the National Archives of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/parish-register.aspx  Others are held locally. You may try contacting the local parish offices for assistance.

I wish you the best of luck with your search.

Kind regards,

Genealogy support

We know from Castlegarden that John McAvoy's wife and children immigrated in  August 5, 1851 on the ship Kennebec. Unfortunately, I am not sure if there is any information regarding the arrival other than their names. I believe they left during the famine.

Given my lack of Irish research, how do you know when looking at the Tithe Applotment or Griffith Valuation that you have the correct person? They have the name, but no birthdates. 

Are the Catholic parishes easy to deal with when contacted by people from outside the country?

Judy