McFarlands

Hello!

My branch of the McFarland/Macpartland/McFarlane/McPartlan etc. tree left Ireland in approximately 1850.  They arrived in England and settled in Wednesbury, Staffordshire with the spelling McFarlane.  The 1871 England Census is the only document that lists a place of origin other than simply Ireland: Connacht.  The only possibility I've found is Leitrim.

My 3rd great grandfather was Thomas McFarlane born c. 1820 and married sometime around 1842 or 43 as his first child, James, was born c. 1844, his second, Patrick, c.1846.  His wife was named Mary, and I believe she died somewhere between 1846- 1850 in Ireland, but it may have been after the family arrived in England. James was my 2nd great grandfather and he left England for New York City, Patrick stayed in England, as did Thomas. By the time James's name is first recorded in the US, it reads McFarland.

There is also the possibility of Thomas having several siblings: James (b.~1827), Honora (b.~1834), John (b.~1831), and Michael (b.~1836),

Any help is very much appreciated!

Thank you.