Searching Thomas Gallagher and Bridger Comerford

 

 

Thomas Gallagher and Bridget Comerford

 

I am doing some research for my brother in law in endeavouring to trace his Gallagher and Comerford ancestors in Ireland.

 

Is there anyone out there who is also researching these families and if so I would be most grateful if you could get in touch with me at daphnef@clear.net.nz

 

We are planning a visit to Ireland later in 2013.

 

Below is what we have been able to trace so far but in some cases still needs to be proven.

 

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Thomas Gallagher – Born about 1804 possibly Fuerty in County Roscommon, Ireland, but inlisted at Athlone Castle so more likely lived within walking distance of Athlone but in Ros Common.

 

Thomas joined the 51st King’s Own Yorkshire Light infantry Regiment – 21 August 1824 at Athlone aged of 18yrs. Was a private no 372. Thomas was registered as Thomas Gallaher. (Source Attestation Papers)

 

Served for 22 years including 9 years in Ionian island and 7 years in Van Diemens land (Tasmania).

 

Discharged 25 Sept 1846 as being unfit for further service due to chronic rheumatism, declining activity and impaired health

 

Spent 16 Oct 1846 to 31 March 1847 in Co. Kilkenny. Discharge papers have Callan faintly written in margin.

 

Spent 31 Mar 1847 to 26 Sept 1847 in Co. Roscommon.

 

 

Admitted to Fencibles - 22 Sept 1846.

 

With his wife Bridget and children William, John, James, Thomas and George sailed on the ‘Clifton’ from Galway Bay 26 September 1847. (The Fencibles in New Zealand)

 

Thomas’s military records have been well researched by Donald Gallagher – a direct descendant of Thomas and Bridget.

 

 

1. Thomas’s marriage to Bridget Comerford abt 1835 in possibly Callan, County Kilkenny.

 

Copy of the church record below is quite possibly the correct one for Thomas and Bridget.

 

Date of Marriage 29 May 1836.

Parish/District  Callan, Co. Kilkenny.

Denomination Roman Catholic

Groom – Thomas Galahan

Bride – Elizabeth Comerford

Parents names not recorded.

Witness 1 Denis Conners. Witness 2 Bridget Saintjohn

Notes

(Hus. Add, Given as 51st Regiment (S)  (Wit1. given as Dennis) (E)  Wife given as Betty and Wit2. Given as Biddy) (Stipend 15:0) (Source Rootsireland ie)

 

 

 

 

2.  Birth records for Thomas Gallagher

(as Thomas’s occupation on enlisting with the 51st regiment was given as a farm labourer it is fairly certain that his father occupation could be the same).

 

Have a possible Church Baptism Record for a Thomas Gallagher.

Baptised 15 May 1809. 

Parish/District Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.

Father James Gallagher, Mother Honor Finn

Sponsor 1 Michael Greeny. Sponsor 2 Catherine Finon. (Source Rootsireland ie)

 

 

3.  Bridget Comerford understand that her father is George Comerford a blacksmith of County Kilkenny

 Have a copy of a church baptism record for a Bridget Commerford

 Baptised 16 Jun 1806.

Denomination Roman Catholic

Parish/District St Johns, Co Kilkenny.

Father George Commerford.

Mother Mary Dunphy.

Sponsor 1 John Ryan. Sponsor 2 Judith Holahan (Source Rootsireland.ie)

 

Also have Church Marriage Record for a George Comerford and Mary Dunphy.

Parish/District St Johns, Co. Kilkenny.

Date of Marriage 18 Feb 1805.

Denomination Roman Catholic.

Parents of Groom and Bride not recorded.

Witness 1 Paul Fenelly. Witness 2 Anstice Dunphy. (Source Rootsireland.,ie)

 

 

Children of Thomas Gallagher and Bridget Comerford are:

 

1.  William Gallagher

Born 6 Mar 1836, Dublin, Ireland

Baptism 1836, St Mary, Dublin. (Source Church book 2, page 148.)

Died – 28 Sept 1900, Malvern, Melbourne, Australia. (Source Death Certificate 1654/1900.)

Burial – 30 Sept 1900, St Kilda Cemetery, Melbourne.  (Source Death Certificate.)

Married (1) - Jane Smith, 17 Jan 1862, Armidale, NSW, Australia. (Source Marriage Certificate 1862/001243)

Married (2) - Mary Evinson (nee Shepherd), 1 April 1872 (Source –Marriage Certificate 95/1872)

 

2.  John Gallagher

Born - 8 May 1838, Chatham Barracks, Kent, England (Source Birth Certificate 178/1838))

Died – 27 Oct 1888, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. (Source Death Certificate 702/1888)

Burial - 29 Oct 1888, Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand (source Death Certificate))

Married – Mary Shea, 20 Nov 1860 (Source Marriage Certificate 158/1860)

 

3.  James Gallagher

Born – 20 Nov 1840, Campbell Town, Tasmania

Died – 26 Aug 1920, Auckland

Burial – 27 Aug 1920, Purewa Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand 

Married - Hannah Kermode (nee Perry)

 

4.  Thomas Gallagher

Born – 27 Feb 1843, Hobart Town, Tasmania (Source Church records)

Baptism – 15 March 1843, St Joseph’s, Hobart, Tasmania. (Source Church records)

Died – 18 Apr 1909, Hauhora, Northland, New Zealand

Burial – Kaitaia, New Zealand.

Married - (1) Susan Collison, 31 Dec 1868, Gympie, Queensland, Australia (Source Marriage Certificate 426/1869)

Born – 1851, Adelaide, South Australia.

Died 13 April 1882, Queensland, Australia the daughter of Marcus Collison and Ellen Clayton (Source Death Certificate 971/1872)

Married (2) Martha Ralph, 15 Jan 1886, Auckland, New Zealand (Source son’s Birth Certificate 13/1889)

Born 1857, Wellington, New Zealand (Source son’s Birth Certificate 13/1889)

5.  George Gallagher

Born – 5 Apr 1845, Port Arthur, Tasmania (source Ancestry.com & Tasmanian records)

 

6.  Maria Gallagher

Born - 5 Apr 1848, Panmure, Auckland, New Zealand (Source Birth Certificate 42/1848)

Baptism 25 May 1848, St Patrick, Panmure, Auckland, New Zealand (Source Certificate of Baptism)

Died – 23 Feb 1908, Te Kopuru Hospital, Dargaville, New Zealand (Source Death Certificate 195/1908)

Burial – Mt Wesley Cemetery, Dargaville, New Zealand (Source Death Certificate)

Married – John Lappin (70th Regiment), 25 Aug 1862 (source Marriage Certificate 258/1862))

 

7.  Ellen Gallagher

Born - May 1850, Panmure, New Zealand (Source Birth Certificate 573/1850)

Died 26 Aug 1853, Panmure, Auckland, New Zealand (Source Death Certificate 576/1853)

Burial – St Patrick’s Churchyard, Panmure, Auckland, New Zealand