Help finding Ireland birth place for 2x great grandparents
Hello: I am trying to find the birthplace of my 2 x great grandparents and I'm wondering if someone may have some suggestions. I've searched online records on Family Search, Ancestry and MyHeritage as well as Roots Ireland. Because I don't know where specifically in Ireland they come from (all records list only the country of Ireland), I can't extend the family line back any further. Here's the information I have:
Edward Leo, born about 1922, arrived in New York, NY 07 Mar 1848. Lived in Addison, Steuben, NY, and moved to Polk County, MN with his wife (Mary Neilan born in Ireland about 1924-died 11 Jun 1892 in Tacoma, Pierce County, WA). Children: John Leo, born 25 Dec 1846 in Scariff, County Clare, Ireland (place of birth is noted on his headstone, but I have been unable to verify this in the online records), died 07 March 1929, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington; William Leo, born February 1849 in New York, NY, died Dec 1932, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon; Patrick Augustus Leo, born 15 April 1851, Addison, Steuben, NY, died 30 May 1914, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington; Anna Leo, born 13 October 1853, New York, NY, died 02 April 1910, Tacoma, Pierce County, WA; Michael Leo, born 1858, Minnesota, died 20 October 1888 Helena, Louis & Clark County, Montana; and James Phillip Leo, born 13 Dec 1865, Minnesota, died 05 April 1934, Grand Forks, Grand Forks, ND.
My apologies if I've given too much detail. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
—Kathy
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This is table will be very helpful. Thank you very much!
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Hi @Kathleen Ringwood
It may be easier for us to help you within the tree. From your description, I think this is the Edward Leo you're looking for: https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/details/LB89-6FL Born about 1822.
I would suggest that you post in the Ireland Research group, where we have experienced researchers who may be able to help. https://community.familysearch.org/en/group/104-ireland-research
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Good evening Kathleen,
I Just checked the NLI Catholic Parish Registers but unfortunately the registers covering Scarriff (The Diocese of Killaloe) start in 1852. I am guessing records were lost/destroyed as some registers start in the early 1700s.
A DNA test will open doors to your Irish relatives & also show in percentages the regions of Ireland that you are connected to. Also if you use an Ancestry test you can uplaod the results to My Heritage site for free - you can see matches & how you are related & contact them, the bonus is they accept all DNA kits so it obviously increases the amount of matches available.
Another option is the Genealogy dept of the Irish emigration museum, they have researchers and offer 1 hour consultation (at the site or on line) for a reasonable charge & it has very good reviews. This is the link
Good luck Kathleen & I wish you well in your search.
Take care
Sharon
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@Kathleen Ringwood
I've spent the afternoon attaching the relevant records to Edward Leo, his wife, and their children.I would caution about focusing only on Scarriff in County Clare. The marker for John Leo, the eldest known child of Edward Leo and Mary Neilan, lists his place of birth as "Scarrof, Ireland." That does not necessarily mean the parish of Scarriff in County Clare.
There are several places in Ireland - both townlands and parishes - with a name that could be spelled "Scarrof" phonetically.
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Thank you all so very much for replying so quickly and with excellent ideas to pursue. I will post to the Ireland Research Group. And, your tip about "Scarof" is something we hadn't even considered. Thank you for that. I will also contact the Irish emigration museum. What a lovely group. I hope I can be part and help others in areas where I have more expertise. Áine.ní.Donnghaile, thank you for adding the sources to Edward Leo's profile. I mostly use Ancestry for my tree, and will do a better job now updating our FamilySearch tree. Best wishes to all of you.
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This list of places that could sound like Scarriff may be useful.
Some phonetic examples from my own family research:
My McGarrity family comes from near the town of Carrickmore, in County Tyrone. I found one early 20th century obituary listing the place of birth as "Caruck, More" - as if Caruck were the town and More the County.
Our townland near Carrickmore is Inishatieve. The arrival manifest for one ancestor lists the place as "Inachutive," a strong hint of its pronunciation.
Another branch of my family came from County Mayo. They spent a few years in England before coming to the USA. In one English census, their place of birth is listed as "County Mahone, Ireland."
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This list of potential town names is so helpful. Thank you so much.
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