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I am searching for any information on the brothers O'Reilly in Ireland.  All of the brothers emigrated from County Cavan to Godmanchester, Huntingdon, Quebec, Canada in the 1820's.  Patrick and William were two of the founding fathers of that area.  More information is below:

William O'Reilly, (1797-1882), m. Bridget Brady (1797-1878). 

Children:  Charles (1821-1902); Henry (1823-1907); William (1826-1885); Anne (1828-19040; Elizabeth (1829-1903); Margaret (1835-1935).

Patrick O'Reilly, (1798-1881), m. Elin Martin (1796-1880).

Children:  Charles (1820-18780; Mary (1828-1910); James (1831-?)

Owen O'Reilly (1805-1854) m. Anna Ball (1817-1889)

Children:  John (1834-1890); Alexander (1836-?); William (1837-?); Maria (1838-1911); James (1842-1890); Francis (1844-?); Charles (1849-1907)

I have no documents or information about their lives in Ireland beyond what was printed in a newspaper in Canada saying that William, a founding father of Godmanchester, hailed from County Cavan, Ireland.  I have made several assumptions in my quest to find information.  First, I am assuming the three are brothers.  I have no information that documents that other than living in proximity to one another.  I am also assuming their father's name is Charles because at least the older brothers named their first child Charles.  I have searched marriage records and baptism records for Ireland but have found  nothing.  I would really appreciate any help anyone can give me.  Thank you so much!

LisaC

Tuesday 19th Apr 2022, 04:08PM

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  • Lisa:

    Only 5 of the 31 RC parishes in Co. Cavan have records back to the 1700s. I did a search on the subscription site Roots Ireland and did not find any good baptismal leads for William, Patrick and Owen.  I think it is very likely that they were baptized in a parish that no longer has records back to the late 1700s. 

    I did check the Tithe records for the late 1820s in Co. Cavan. There are around 22 Charles Reilly records although some could be duplicates. We don't know for sure if the father was included on the Tithe's. He could have been deceased or a sub-tenant or a labourer.

    http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/results.jsp?…

    Have you considered DNA testing? Possibly you will match fourth cousins living anywhere in the world but your matches may have more info on the origins of the family within Co. Cavan.

    Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Tuesday 19th Apr 2022, 05:18PM

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