Thomas Sommerville Morrow : Short Biography

Thomas Sommerville Morrow, my great, great (2x) grandfather was born in or near Ballintra, Donegal County, Drumhome District,  in 1833. I have a copy of a letter written by one of his son's William (Bill) Morrow, written in Canada in 1967 indicating his father was from Ballintra, Ireland.

Thomas Sommerville's parents may have been ??? Thomas Morrow (also named Thomas), (3x grandfather) born in 1795, and his mother Ann born in 1799. ( Ireland Death Records).  There are other 'Morrow's" in the Ballintra area so I am not 100% sure they are the parents of my great great grandfather. Roots Ireland baptism records provided by Ireland XO indicate a Thomas Morrow and his siblings and parents belonged to the Church of Ireland, which makes sense as the family in Canada were protestants. As noted above I did find Ireland Death Records for Thomas Morrow (3x) and Ann Morrow (3x) from the Ballintra Registers District .Thomas died in December 21, 1881 ( 86 years) in Ballintra / Rockhill, and Ann passed away December 30th, 1888 at 90 years of age. They both died of "Old Age and Natural Decay". A son named Alexander was present at their deaths. Alexander could be a younger brother of my great - great grandfather, IF this is my Morrow family.

I am not certain what  Ann Morrow's ( possible 3x great grandmother) maiden name was. It has been suggested her maiden name was Tamblyn, but I do not know the source of this information. Another possibility is Sommervile, as this is my great great grandfathers middle name. I have not been able to find any information on Ann using either name.

Thomas Sommerville Morrow (2x) immigrated to Canada in 1850 or 1851 at 17 years of age. He had three brothers William, George and Andrew who also moved to Canada.  Willian the oldest brother followed at a later date after marrying Margaret Harron.  Thomas Sommerville married Ruth Warnock in Caledon, Ontario, March 15, 1858. They  homesteaded in Bruce County, Arran Township, Ontario, near Arran Lake and the village of Tara, Ontario. They had 7 children.  Canadian  information is family documentation, including photos and the letter written by Thomas Sommervilles son William (Bill) Morrow, or information extracted from Canadian census, marriage and burial records.

Ireland XO has provided me with baptism records for 6 children born to Thomas (3x) and Ann Morrow. Two of the children were new to me; Alexander (1835) and Isaac (1842). Their records and that of George (1840) are for Ballymagrorty Parish, so not 100% sure they are the same Ballintra Morrow's.

I have found a Thomas Morrow (3x) noted in Griffiths as a tenant on Lot 37, just north of Ballintra. I do not have any other documentation, but would like to confirm connections to the Ballintra Morrow's.

I am still looking for a marriage record for Thomas and Ann Morrow (Tamblyn / Sommerville) and their burial locations, and for emmigration / immigration records for Thomas Sommerville Morrow, and his brothers William, George and Andrew.  Any assistance or suggestions to help find my maternal Morrow family connections would be appreciated.

Greg Sannes