Where to start on my Roach Family

Hi

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. Liverpool), this could be a good place to find more information, and perhaps even find out an exact place of origin.

 You could try checking the land records called the Tithe Applotment Books (1823-38) http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp

or the later Griffith's Valuation (1848-64) http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/

or the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) https://familysearch.org/

 Failte Romhat has lots of other useful links you could try looking at ). www.failteromhat.com

The Tithe Applotment List might be of use to you, or at least interesting for you. These lists constitute the only nationwide survey for the period, and are valuable because the heaviest burden of the tithes to the Established Church, the Church of Ireland, fell on the poorest, for whom few other records survive. The information in the Tithes is quite basic, typically consisting of townland name, landholder's name, area of land and tithes payable. Many Books also record the landlord's name and an assessment of the economic productivity of the land. The tax payable was based on the average price of wheat and oats over the seven years up to 1823, and was levied at a different rate depending on the quality of land. For Parishes where the registers do not begin until after 1850, this information can be useful, as they are often the only surviving early records. They can provide valuable circumstantial evidence, especially where a holding passed from father to son in the period between the Tithe survey and Griffith's Valuation.

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

Remember to post as much information as you can regarding the people you are researching. The more information you post, the more likely it is that one of our volunteers will be able to advise or assist you. Also include information concerning which sources you may have already used so others may further your search.

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,                    

Genealogy Support

Ireland Reaching Out

Hi

Just seen your message. The Kennedy Surname is very common in Co Kerry Ireland and O Sullivan is a common surname in Co Cork. So that maybe a good start for you. I have provided alink with information on John Thomas Roach, was born in 1874 in Chicago. It maybe some assistance. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=36222714

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlker/records.html

http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/kerry/garfinny.htm

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlker/mardingle1.html

http://www.castlegarden.org/

http://www.corkpastandpresent.ie/genealogy/traceyourcorkancestors/

I hope these may be of assistance.

Best of luck with your research.

Paula

pkennedy@irelandxo.com