Looking for John O'melia and Anne Johnston 1800s

Hi Kim

I've searched high & low for your O'Melias without much success I'm afraid.

The only birth/baptism records for John on www.rootsireland.ie/ (subscription site) were these:

Name: John Melias Date of Birth: Date of Baptism: 11-Jun-1795 Address: Not Recorded Parish/District: MULLINGAR Gender: Male County Co. Westmeath Denomination: Roman Catholic Father: William Melias Mother: Mary Noulan Occupation: Not Recorded

http://Name: James Melia Date of Birth: Date of Baptism: 11-Jul-1792 Address: Not Recorded Parish/District: MULLINGAR Gender: Male County Co. Westmeath Denomination: Roman Catholic Father: James Melia Mother: Bridget Donolan Occupation: Not Recorded

I can't find a death/burial record 1845-50 for John or the marriage record or any chiildren of the marriage.

IGI has quite a few O'Melias including a Patrick born 17/3/1839 but parents are Patrick & Mary & it was in Galway according to rotsireland.

No luck on findmypast, Tithe Applotments, Irish Censuses or ancestry.

Col

Achill Parish Liaison

Thank you so much ffor responding and searching.  I have been searching high and low also.  I paid my subscription to rootsireland and have been trying every combination possible without success- a few possibilities perhaps. I have so many questions - sorry.  

Is the Griffith's data I found irrelevant because of the death date for John(1844) and the emgration date for Patrick(1846-7)?  Because these dates are estimates only based on stories passed down and the dates vary greatly in the stories.  If Griffith's was published in 1857, the actual info would have to have been gathered quite some time prior due to the massive undertaking that it was.  What date do you think the actual info was collected in Achill?

What  we know about Patrick is this: 

1) Patrick is found on the Canada Census in 1852, as an orphan, living with his adoptive(informally) parents.  He is listed as born in Ireland and Roman Catholic(adoptive family was Methodist.)  This is the earliest record we have to-date.

2) On Patrick's marriage record in 1865, he lists his parents as John Melia and Ann Mellia..  

3) Patrick lists his birthdate on many documents later in his life as March 17, 1839.  However, I have been told that this date is suspicious because of the holiday.  His age on the Canada census in 1852 is shown as 19 which does not correspond to the birthdate of 1839  So, I am thinking this 1839 date is probably just a guess and perhaps could vary 5 years either direction.  Would you agree? 

Perhaps I should broaden my "net" a bit.  For example:

Patrick's birthdate 1834-1844

Father's death date (John) 1834-1851

Father's birth date 1795-1810

Date of emigration(1835-1851)

Parents marriage date 1815-1830

 Also, in our family notes the Johnston surname is mentioned as "we think her name was Johnston."  So, perhaps that is incorrect.

Did church parish records begin in Achill in the 1860's.  If so, then the lack of a birth record or marriage record doesn't necessarily that they weren't there- right?

Thank you again for your assistance,

Kim

Hi Kim

Irish genealogy is a bitter-sweet pursuit is it not?

Mayo Griffiths was 1856-7 as you rightly point out.

I agree with your suggestion about + - 5 years re his birth year; I'd go to 10 years to allow for transcription inaccuracy, illiteracy, personal whim etc but, like you, I've searche 1839 + - 10 yeasr with no success in any county or with any parents!!

I also agree with the idea that the records not existing doesn't mean people weren't there.

Kim my ancestors are from Achill; it is a most beautiful place (stunning scenery) and I was so glad that they lived there before immigrating. If you get the chance I hope you can visit in spring or summer .

I don't think I mentioned that I checked my Memorials of the Dead Galway & Mayo for Melias 

There were 2 Melai references: 1 said 'Kilmeena Old Cemetery see Mullee; the other says Moycullen RC see Moloney

In loving memory of Richard Mullee Kilmeena died 26th June 1891 and his son Hugh died 26th June 1916 and his wife Sally nee Melia died 26th June 1864. (Not sure how they all died 26th June?!)

Two associate memorials

1. Pray for the soul of Michael Moloney who died 2nd July 1878 aged 59 and his daughter Julia died 18th April 1883 aged 19

2. In loving memory of Peter Melia Cartoor died 28th August 1955 & his wife Margaret died 22nd April 1981, their infant grandson John died 1st February 1972.

Not sure how you feel about it but there are some Melias (no O'Melias) in the Irish phone book - we have had some success from people writing to those in Ireland with the surname; never know your luck

Melia Adrian 82 Hazelmere Naas

Melia C Melogh pk Ballyguilemore Wicklow

Melia Paul 231 Harolds Cross rd 6w

Melia Rose 13 Elton Court Millfarm Dunboyne Co. Meath

Melia Marie Newpark Kiltoom Athlone

Melia Sean U1 Newbridge SC Newbridge Co. Kildare

Melia Sean Bride st Kildare 

Col

Hello

In fact, we are planning a trip to Ireland this spring. Wesport is as far north as we are currently planning to visit but Achill sounds beautiful.  Perhaps we will consider a visit there.

Writing letters is an interesting idea and thank you for the suggestion.  I may do that but I want to follow up on a couple of other leads first.

I have regrouped and started searching the tithe applotment records since my ancestors left prior to Griffith’s.  I found a couple of items and wondered if you would give me your opinion as to whether they are worth pursuing.  They are actually in Leitrim and although that is outside of your area, I wondered if you would mind sharing your opinion since you are familiar with the names, etc.

The only John Omelia found in the Tithe Applotments is located in Fenagh Beg(townland) in 1833.  He is not found there later in Griffith’s that I can find.  I searched for an Ann Johnston in the area and found a baptismal record for one in Kiltoghert(Church of Ireland), baptized 1810, father Robert, mother Jane.  Kiltoghert is within 15-20 miles of Fenagh Beg.   Robert Johnston is not found in Kiltoghert in the Tithe Applotments but is found there later in Griffith’s.  I searched for anything that could disprove a connection between John Omelia and Ann Johnston and have found nothing yet.  Do you think this is worth pursuing and if so what steps would be next?

Another note – some of my family stories indicate that Patrick’s mother and father might have been of different religions.  Were there religious prejudices at that time that could have impacted a Roman Catholic/Church of Ireland marriage in the 1830’s?  For example, would they have possibly been shunned by their families, etc.? 

Thanks again for your help.

kim

oops entered twice not sure how to delete

Hi Kim

My thoughts on your questions:

I assume your searches have been for all surname variations.

The Leitrim link can't be discarded as many were quite moving around looking for work etc; the evidence that it all fits seems strong.

The religious 'mixed marriage' is an interesting one; it was unusual but not impossible so can't be ruled out. I would like to think that they were able to dismiss the pressure and bigotry of the times.

Next steps? Trying to find anyone else who claims this line or is connected to it - ancestry.com?

Col