I'm looking for ANY information on Francis Locke of County Armagh. Parish unknown. some records suggest he MAY have been born around 1859 in Annaghmore, but possibly later. He immigrated to the USA in late 1800's or early 1900's. Lived in Providence Rhode Island when my father Joseph Francis Locke was born in 1920. My father's birth certificate says father was Francis Locke born in Ireland. Family verbal lore states of County Armagh. Not much to go on!
Monday 8th Apr 2013, 07:25PM
Message Board Replies
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Hi,
Thank you for your message.
When researching family history in Ireland you really need to know the parish 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.
As Annaghmore was mentioned as a possibility it may be an idea to start your search there. Annaghmore is a townland in the civil parish of Loughgall. If Francis was born in 1859 you will have to look at local church records to find his birth record.
Most Catholic records are held locally so you may need to write to the local parish priest for possible assistance. One website that you may find useful is the Irish Times where they give an overview of what records are available in specific parishes. It also shows you where copies of the records are available. For Loughgall parish, follow this link:
Most surviving Church of Ireland records 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. Here are their websites: http://www.nationalarchives.ie/ and http://ireland.anglican.org/about/42
Lists of these surviving registers can also be found at the National Library of Ireland.
You mention that he may have been born after 1859. If this is correct and he was born after 1864 you should be able to find his birth record in civil records as civil registration began officially in Ireland in 1864. If you can find his birth record in these records it will give you a place of origin which will open more avenues of research for you. Civil records are available from the General Register?s Office in Dublin. Here is their website:
http://www.groireland.ie/research.htm
You can search the indexes to these records online at:
https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1408347
Have you tried looking into Francis? emigration? Generally more information was given at the port of arrival rather than that of departure so you may find some more information here and possibly even an exact place of origin. Some websites that you may find useful are in terms of US immigration are:
Ellis Island: http://www.ellisisland.org/search/passSearch.asp
Castlegarden: http://www.castlegarden.org/
US National Archives/Immigration info: http://www.archives.gov/research/immigration/
Some more general websites that you may find useful 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
Family Search: www.familysearch.org
Genealogy links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/armagh/index.html
I hope that this is helpful. Remember to post any new information 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
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Wednesday 22nd May 2013, 10:24AM