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My 2nd great grandfather, Andrew Chapman, a weaver, was born in Kilfinane about 1806. He married Ann Walsh in Kilflynn parish 18 Jan 1837 (Church of Ireland). She was Roman Catholic (born about 1821) and he was Church of Ireland. They had 7 children born in Kilfinane, emmigrated to London, Ontario, Canada about 1852 and had one more child born in Canada.

I am interested in learning about Ann's parents; I do not know their names. I believe she was also from Kilfinane and that they went to Kilflynn to marry because there may have been disapproval on both sides in their home parish. The first couple of children were baptized CI, the middle couple were baptized in both religions and the younger ones RC only (info from Irishroots). In Canada the census lists them in 1861 as all being Church of England but after that Ann and the children are RC and only Andrew is CE.

I would also be interested to know if there is any information in Irish records about when exactly they left. Since Canada did not routinely keep ship records until 1865, I've struck out looking for anything there. Griffith's Valuation has Andrew leasing land from Frederick Charles Trench and Miss E.O. Gascoigne. She was Elisabeth who in 1852 married Fredericks cousin and they lived at Castle Oliver in the parish. Frederick was married to her sister. I have read that Elisabeth and her sister Isabella were quite progressive and good to their tenants but the Trench men wanted to unburden themselves of most of the tenants who they had to support. I've wondered if Andrew and his family left willingly and if the Trenchs paid their passage.

Any information or tips on resources to persue is greatly appreciated.

Irish6Mary

Tuesday 12th Apr 2016, 08:47PM

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  • Irish6Mary:

    Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

    The RC records for Kilfinane do not start until 1832 http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0858  so it appears that a baptismal record for Ann would not be available. Also, records of emigration are generally not available. You may want to contact the Kilfinane library branch  https://www.limerick.ie/living/localinformation/libraries/kilfinane-lib…  to see if they have any information.

    Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Tuesday 12th Apr 2016, 10:00PM
  • Roger, many thanks for the tip.

    Janice

    Irish6Mary

    Wednesday 13th Apr 2016, 02:51PM

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