Londonderry

Hi Dianne,

Thank you for your message.

Unfortunately, it may be difficult to find information on Thomas and John without a more specific place of origin.  Most Irish record sources- church records, land records, census records- are based on specific locations. Until you know a specific location within Ireland, preferably a parish or placename, it may be difficult to do anything more with these records.

Do you have any documentation belonging to the family-either official or unofficial- that mentions a more specific place name in Londonderry? This could include census records, marriage/death certs, wills or letters, diary entries, family bibles. Sometimes a parish name can also be inscribed on headstones.

Have you tried looking into their emigration? Generally more inforamtion was given at the port of arrival rather than that of departure. For immigration records in Canada check: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/index-e.html

Do you their parents? names? If you do, you could try searching for them in the two land acts pertaining to Ireland in the 19th century. These so not offer any genealogical information but they can sometimes be used to tie a person to a specific place:

The Tithe Applotment Books (1823-1838) found at http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp

and Griffith?s Valuation (1848-1864) found at http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/

You could also try searching for any record of the family at www.familysearch.org which has a huge database of genealogical records. If you can find them here it will give you a parish name.

Some other websites that may be useful to you are:

The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/

The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx

The National Archives UK ? genealogy search: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/

The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm

Genealogy links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/derry/index.html

You could also try contacting Derry Genealogy Centre for assistance, however a fee may apply: genealogy@derrycity.gov.uk

I hope that this is helpful. Remember to post any new information that you find here. 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.

Kind regards,

Genealogy Support