Searching for Elizabeth Morrissey. Born 1827

John:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

There are some Elizabeth Morrissey (or variant spelling) baptismal records in Co. Waterford but none in 1827 and the earliest in Clashmore was 1840. Do you have information that she was from that parish? I assume you don't have her parents names. I also could not locate a marriage record for an Elizabeth Morrissey to a Fitzgerald anywhere in Ireland. It is possible that they were married in a church that does not have records back to the 1850s.

Roger McDonnell

This   John Fitzgerald  you Mr Mc Donnell for your reply.  I'm thrilled to hear from you but disappointed with your news.  I'm the designated family historian here in the States, albeit an amateur. I collect and pursue information from family members and other sources. The primary support of the Elizabeth Morrissey (aka Morrissey) 1827 birth in Clashmore is from her joint (with her husband) tombstone in the Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery in Montreal.  It lists her death as 1891.  The primary tombstone name is her husband James Joseph Fitzgerald (1824-1864) listed as being born in Dungarvon Co. Waterford.  A death notice from an 1864 Montreal newspaper lists him with the same information and  with the occupation, laborer. (Family lore has him working construction on the Canadien National Railway).  Further information has them getting married in Eire in 1854, but having their first child born in July in Rhymney, South Wales. A second child is also born in South Wales. Their third child is born in 1858 in Montreal, Canada.  Sadly, I have no verification of the facts from any Irish sources. The only reason for scepticism about any of this is the short amount of time between their marriage and their firstborn.  Any help you could provide would be most welcome. Thank you Mr McConnell. 

John:

I just went through the 1827 records for Clashmore  http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0115  and did not see a record for an Elizabeth Morrissey. The records are in Latin and the left hand side of the register is faint. She may have been born before 1827.

I checked on Roots Ireland in the Dungarvan records and below is the only James Fitzgerald baptismal record near 1824.

You or someone in your family may want to consider autosomal DNA testing.

Roger McDonnell

Name:James FitzgeraldDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:01-Jun-1821Address:
Parish/District:DUNGARVANGender:
CountyCo. Waterford
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Michael FitzgeraldMother:Ann HackettOccupation:

I think the baptized James Fitzgerald is my guy! I would love to learn more about his family and the like.   Thank you.