This is an edited version of the letter we list maintainers received from Tim at RootsWeb. Any questions or comments, please write me privately at schmidtm@3-cities.com ******** Spam filtering has just been enabled on all RootsWeb lists. From this point on, hopefully we all will experience a marked decrease in spam sent to our lists. When someone sends mail that ``looks like spam'' to one of our lists (more on what that means below), I'll receive a letter that looks like this: From: OURLIST-L-request@rootsweb.com Subject: we blocked some spam from your list. Hi -- This is an automated notice from the RootsWeb list server. Someone recently sent this message to your list. It looks suspiciously like spam, so it was NOT distributed to your list. However, we're sending you a copy just in case the spam detector made a mistake. If this was actually a legitimate message that shouldn't have been blocked, please forward this message to us and tell us, so we can try to make the Spam Detective a little smarter. So please give us feedback! Let us know if you start getting spam that the spamcatcher doesn't get, or if the spamcatcher gets a little too enthusiastic and blocks legit messages. WHAT'S BEING FILTERED? ------------------------ What does the list server consider spam? Here's a general summary of what it looks for: * Any message sent to more than 10 RootsWeb lists. Heavy crossposting like this is at least as bad a problem for our servers as spam is. * Messages from the faked mail host * Senders with all-numeric e-mail addresses * Senders with AOL screen names that have fewer than 3 characters or more than 10; screen names that start with a number; screen names that include punctuation * Any message from USA.NET that contains embedded punctuation, like `name@usa.net'. * A message with any known spam return addresses. Anything that matches these patterns will be bounced back to you, the listowner. If it made a mistake, just let us know: Bringing you a less spamful net -- Regards, Tim Pierce RootsWeb Genealogical Data Cooperative system obfuscator and hack-of-all-trades Laura L Schmidt schmidtm@3-cities.com list maintainer: Franklin Co WA: WaFrankl-L@rootsweb.com Irish Research: Fianna-L@rootsweb.com SC Genealogy: SC-Genealogy-L@rootsweb.com web page coordinator: Franklin Co, WA: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wafrankl/franklin.htm

I am researching my gr-gr-grandfather Sylvester Thomas CONNOLLY and his wife Mary Ann DEGNAN. They were supposed to have come from Galway. They immigrated in 1864 settling in Erie Co., PA. I have his naturalization, but the papers give me no information on his place of origin in Ireland. They came here with their son, Patrick P. Connolly b. 1863, Ireland. Their next child, Mary Ann b. 1866 was born "O" whatever that means. Maybe ocean??? Children born in US: Catherine Agnes b. 1868, Erie Co, PA Michael b. 1869, Erie Co., PA Ellen (twin) b. 1869, Erie Co., PA Martin b. 1870's James b. 1874 Elizabeth b. 1878, Beaver Co., PA I have only been able to trace Catherine and Elizabeth. They married GARVEY brothers in Beaver Co., PA. Any ideas where I might be able to look further? I haven't done any research in Ireland yet, but I did not feel that I knew enough to look there yet. Any suggestions would be very welcome. Thanks Sherri of Oregon, USA bucky@iteasy.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ bucky@itseasy.net ~~~ Genealogist Researching: Sherri Dysart ~~~ Garvey, Connolly, Degnan 529 SW Cedar Rd ~~~ Graham, Boggs, Ferguson Estacada, OR 97023 ~~~ Phillips, McKibbin, Salts USA ~~~ Monroe, Williams, Barnes in PA/OH

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Saw this on another list......the comments included are of the submitter, not mine. Just thought I would pass it on. Laura Saw this on another list and thought it might be of interest to some of you. << Scottish naming pattern: 1st son father's father 2nd son mother's father 3rd son father 4th son father's oldest brother 5th son mother's oldest brother or father's 2nd oldest brother 1st dau. mother's mother 2nd father's mother 3rd mother 4th mother's oldest sister 5th father's oldest sister or mother's 2nd oldest >I disagree with one of the above. It has proven true in ancestors of >families here that, in Ireland, the oldest daughter was named for her >father's mother & the 2nd with mom's mom, which is the only difference >with Scotland. > >The other point that is mildly arguable is that your 4th & 5th "step" in >the above was not always observed. Irish 1st son = father's father 2nd son = mother's father 3rd son = father 4th son = father's oldest brother 5th son = father's 2nd oldest brother or mother's oldest brother Pattern for 4th and 5th sons might be interrupted to name a son for a favorite saint, and at all times the pattern might be interrupted to name a successive son after an older son who might have died. 1st dau = mother's mother 2nd dau = father's mother 3rd dau = mother 4th dau = mother's oldest sister 5th dau = mother's 2nd oldest sister or father's oldest sister Pattern for 4th and 5th daughter might be interrupted to name a dau for a favorite saint, and at all times the pattern might be interrupted to name a successive dau after an older dau who might have died. Here are a few Latin forms for some Irish given names; there are no doubt many more, but these are a few that I have run across. Bartholemew BARTHOLOMAEUS Dennis DIONYSIUS Edward EDUARDUS Eugene EUGENIUS John JOANNES or JOHANNES James JACOBUS Joseph JOSEPHUS Charles CAROLUS Lawrence LAURENTIUS Martin MARTINUS Matthew MATTHAEUS Maurice MAURITIUS Patrick PATRITIUS Paul PAULUS Peter PETRUS Timothy TIMOTHEUS William GUILIELMUS The prefixes of "O'", "Mc", and "Mac" are common in Irish surnames. These are all references to ancestry. Mac is the Gaelic word for son. It is now often abbreviated to "Mc", but originally it was the longer word and normally followed by a space and then the surname. There is a tradition that Mac is Irish and Mc is Scottish, but this is false. Both variations are in wide use in both countries. O is really a word all by itself, it means "grandson". Only in recent years has it been attached to the surname with an apostrophe. In ancient Ireland, there were no fixed surnames. A man was known as the the "son of" his father's first name. Occaisionally a man would be known by his grandfather's name (by the word O) if his grandfather was especially noteworthy. Around the twelfth century, most all of Europe and England adopted standardized surnames. Irish families did the same. The other distinctively Irish prefix is Fitz, as in Fitzgerald or FitzAlan. This is a Norman French prefix, brought to Ireland by the Normans who previously had lived in England. It is derived from the French word fils, meaning "son of". Therefore, Fitz and Mac mean about the same and were interchangeable at one time. It is now common for the O and Mac prefixes to be eliminated entirely. The original Celtic words are listed in parentheses. Barry - from the Norman French surname de Barri Brennan - O Braonain, descendant of Braonain (a word for "sorrow") Burke - from the Norman French surname de Burgh or de Bourg Byrne - O Broin, descendant of Broin (bran means "raven") Casey - O Cathasaigh, descendant of Cathasaigh (cathasach means "watchful") Daly - O Dalaigh, descendant of Dalaigh (dalach means "assemblyman") Donohue - O Donnchadha, descendant of Donnchadha (donn means "brown haired") Dunne - O Duinne, a descendant of Duinn (donn means "brown" or "brown haired" Fitzgerald - son of Gerald (a Norman French name) Fitzpatrick - This name was originally Mac Giolla Padraig, meaning a descendant of a devotee of St. Patrick. In later years the Mac prefix was changed to the Norman "Fitz". Flynn - O Floinn, descendant of Floinn (flann, meaning "ruddy") Kelly - O Ceallaigh, descendant of Ceallaigh (ceallach is the word for "strife" Kennedy - O Cinneide, descendant of Cinneide (ceann means "head", eidigh means "ugly") Lynch - from the Norman French surname de Lench McCarthy - Mac Carthaigh, descendant of Carthaigh (carthach means "loving") Murphy - O Murchadha, descendant of a murchadh (sea warrior) O'Brien - O Briain, descendant of Briain (Brian Boru) O'Connor - O Conchobhair, descendant of Conchobhair O'Donnell - O Domhnaill, descendant of Domhnaill > > O'Neill - O Neill, descendant of Neill ("Neill of the Nine Hostages") > > Quinn - O Cuinn, descendant of Conn > > Regan - O Riagain, descendant of Riagain > > Reilly - O Ragailligh, descendant of Ragaillach > > Ryan - O Malvilriain, descendant of Mavilriain (a name not > identifiable) > > Sullivan - O Suileabhain, descendant of Suileabhain (suil means "eye" > and Levan is a Celtic deity. Therefore, this is the "eye of the > god") > > Walsh - a person of Welsh origin >ANCIENT IRISH PROPER NAMES > >AODH = (ee) "fire"; A frequent name among Kings and Chiefs. ANG. Hugh. >ART = "noble, great". The root of O'Hart. >BRANDUBH = " black hair". >BRIAN = bri, "strength"; an, "very great". The root of O'Brian, Brien, >Bryant, Byrne, Byron, etc. >CAIRBRE = corb, "a chariot"; ri, "a king"; "ruler of the chariot". >CATHAIR = (cahir) cath, "a battle"; ar, "slaughter". >CATHAL = (cahal) cath, as above; all, "great". "a great warrior". >CATHBHAR = (cah-war) "a helmet", or, cath, as above; barr, "a chief". >CONCHOBHAR = "helping warrior". >CONN = "wisdom". >CORMAC = "the son of the chariot". >DIARMAID = "god of arms". >DOMHNALL = (donal) domhan, "the world"; all, "mighty". Root of MacDonald, >MacDaniel, MacDonnell. >DONOCH = donn, "brown; cu, "a warrior". ANG. Dennis in Ire. and Duncan in >Scotland. >EOGHAN = "a young man" or "youthful warrior". ANG. Eugene, Owen. >FEARGAL = fear (fhar), "a man; gal, "valour". "a valiant warrior". The >root of Virgil, and O'Farrell. >FEIDHLIM = (felim) "great goodness".ANG. Felix. >FERGUS = "a strong warrior". >FIACHA = "a hunter". >FLANN = "blood". "of a red complexion". >MAOL = "bald or tonsured person". A spiritual servant or devotee of a >saint.The root of the name Moyles. >NIALL = "a noble knight or champion". The root of O'Neil, etc. >RUADHRAIGE = ruadh,"red";righ, "a king". "the valiant, or red haired king". >ANG.Rory, Roderick,Rogers. >TUATHAL = (tool) Possessed of "large landed Properties". The root of >O'Toole, Tolan, etc. >UALGARG = uaill, "famous"; garg, "fierce". "a famous and fierce warrior". > > >Gaelic = English Gaelic = English > >AODH = HUGH EAMONN = EDMUND >BERACH = BARRY ELISHE = ALICE >BRIAN = BERNARD GRAINE = GRACE >BRIDGIT = DELIA (a nickname) LIAM = WILLIAM >CATHAL = CHARLES MAIRE = MARY >CEALLAIGH = KELLY McGOWAN = SMITH (occ.) >CONNAD = KENNETH PADRAIC = PATRICK >DATHI = DAVID RUADHRI = RORY,RODGER >DHONAL = DANIEL, DONAL SEAMUS = JAMES >DIARMID = JEREHMIA, DARBY SEAN = JOHN >DONOGH = DENIS, DONAT TOMOLTACH = TIMOTHY,THOMAS >>

In a message dated 98-05-09 22:10:10 EDT, you write: << s there a book of maps or resource on the Internet where I could find the location of Bonmahon? Thanks in advance, Brad. >> Yes, several I'm sorry i'm rushed right now but try this site! http://www.irish-times.com/ancestor/ Gwen

Searching for Irish places try : http://www.thecore.com/cgi-bin/ire-srch http://www.irish-times.com/ancestor/placename/index.cfm Regards Lisa HLA@carebear.demon.co.uk http://www.carebear.demon.co.uk

Hello, According to two different, independent sources my ggg-grandfather, William Murphy, and his son, Thomas J. Murphy, came from Bonmahon, Parish Kell, County Waterford, Ireland. Also, from these sources it appears they came to America c. 1854. Is there a book of maps or resource on the Internet where I could find the location of Bonmahon? Thanks in advance, Brad. Brad. mailto:jaderiver@iname.com http://www.bigfoot.com/~jaderiver Recently Seen On A Bumper Sticker Near Your Home: Give me ambiguity or give me something else.

This was posted to another list and I thought it might be of interest. ---------------Original Message--------------- Taken from PRONI : Local History 6 Solicitor`s records are invaluable source of local history comprising title deeds,testamentary papers, inventories, valuations etc. Since in its foundation the PRONI has been collecting papers from solicitors offices in all parts of the province. Not only do such collections provide numerous copies of destroyed Irish public records but they provide one of the larger quarries of material for the economic historian. PRONI holds records of more than 140 Northern Ireland solicitor`s practices. These include the records of L`Estrange & Brett, Belfast, which is the most important in the east of the Province. The variety of material is staggering: linen manufacturers, distillers, chemical works, potato sales during the Great Famine, Belfast Improvement Schemes, the fortunes of the Belfast Philarmonic Society. The records of Carleton, Atkinson & Sloan, Portadown, include the title deeds, legal papers, Irish Land Commission records, etc, relating to the Wakefield and Richardson families and their estates at Moyallen and Gilford, Co Down and in the Lurgan and Portadown area, c 1780 - c 1914. There are also letters and papers concenring a dispute over the Unionist nomination for the constituency of North Armagh, 1885 D.1252 The archive of Wilson & Simms, Strabane, which has a similar importance west of the Bann. Consisting of more than 20,000 documents these include a number of political papers which reflect the firm`s activities as election agents for Unionist candidates in the North Tyrone constituency c 1885 - 1920, and which include printed election addresses, circular letters and accounts. Solicitor`s records fall into two broad types: those of the administration of a solicitor`s office and client`s papers. The client`s paper`s are of particular interest to genealogists and local historians as they include records of the prominent families, landowners and estates - title deeds, testamentary papers, leases, rentals, maps and correspondence which bring together a corpus of information on a particular family or area. In order to discover if the records of a particular solicitor`s firm are deposited at PRONI see the Subject Index under the heading `Legal System: Solicitors and Attorneys`. Alex Hughes >from Ayrshire, Scotland Searching for Duncan,Bleakie,Bruce,Kilpatrick,Campbell,Fairley,Milne,McKechan, Jamphray,Strathern,Kelso,Smith & Auld in Scotland Searching for Hughes,Hughs,Graham,McCutcheon,Donaghy,Irvine,Dorian, Kelley & Black in Ireland ----------End of Original Message----------

THis was posted to another list and I thought it might be of interest. ---------------Original Message--------------- Taken from PRONI : Local History 4 Compiled around 1680 as the result of the wars of the mid 17th century when the English government needed reliable information on land ownership throughout Ireland to carry out its policy of land distribution. They were used to impose the acreable rent called the Quit Rent, which was payable yearly on lands granted under the terms of the Acts of Settlement and Explanation. It is possible to discover to whom, if anyone, the confiscated lands were granted so that we have a record of land of landowners for 1641 & 1680. As a result of this it is possible to determine the amount of lands lost by the 1641 owners and to discover the names of the new proprietors. The Books of Survey and Distribution form part of the Annesley Papers (ref D.1854). They consist of 22 volumes and each volume includes an `alphabet` which is an index of denominations. The text includes a physical desription of each barony, with details of woods, bogs, rivers, soil etc. The information is laid out in a tabular form on a barony and parish basis. The details include:`Proprietors in 1641 by the Civil Survey`; `Denominations of lands by the Downe Survey`; `Number of acres distributed` `persons to whom distributed; `Rent per annum payable to His Majesty`. The surviving Survey and Distribution volumes cover the following Cos; Kilkenny, Waterford, Kildare, Carlow, Wexford, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Tipperay, Monaghan, Armagh, Limerick, Westmeath, Clare, Roscommon, Galway, Cork, Down, Antrim, Leitrim, Sligo, Cavan, Fermanagh, King`s and Queen`s Counties, Wicklow, Donegal, Londonderry and Tyrone. Alex Hughes sanny@enterprise.net >from Ayrshire, Scotland Searching for Duncan,Bleakie,Bruce,Kilpatrick,Campbell,Fairley,Milne,McKechan, Jamphray,Strathern,Kelso,Smith & Auld in Scotland Searching for Hughes,Hughs,Graham,McCutcheon,Donaghy,Irvine,Dorian, Kelley & Black in Ireland ----------End of Original Message----------

This was posted to another list and I thought it might be of interest. ---------------Original Message--------------- Taken from PRONI : Local History 5 In the early years of the 19th century there were numerous schools in Ireland but many were in poor condition and were badly conducted. The Province of Ulster, for example, had 3,449 schools in 1821 (Cos Antrim and Down had over 1,000 schools between them) but they were fragmented in structure with numerous types of schools, including `charter` schools, schools of the London Hiberian Society - to which Roman Catholics did not want to send their children because they were all of a proselytising character - and `pay` or `hedge` schools. It was against this background of haphazard educational provision that the Irish system of National Education was founded in 1831 under the direction of the Chief Secretary, E.G. Stanley. The national schools which resulted were built with the aid of the Commissioners of National Education and local trustees. Some 2,500 schools came into existence in Ulster between 1832 & 1870 and grant of aid applications provide much information about their establishment such as the name of the teacher and the number of enrolled pupils. They were made on printed questionnaires, but are often accompied by inspectors reports and correspondence. Applications for further funds for extra teachers, equipment, etc are also included. The inspectors reports can be particularly revealing to the local historian as they can include details of the standard of education in a particular area; the attitude of the local landlord and of the local people to the state control of education; and the rivalry between neighbouring townlands. The attitude of the local clergy towards the national school system is also of interest. Due to the fact that the newly established primary school system was to be non-denominational, all of the main churches were united in their dislike of the separation of the religious from the academic. On occasion this clerical oppostion resulted in the establishment of rival schools in the area (ref ED.1) Also of interest to local historians are the Registers which exist in an almost complete series from 1835 to the early 1850`s. These are not the registers of pupils but volumes summarising the Commissioner`s dealings with the particular schools. They give details of where the school was located, when it was established and when it first came under the authority of the Board. The names and religious denominations of the patrons and of any clerical or lay correspondents are given (ref Ed.6/1) >From 1835, Ireland was divided into 61 education Districts and the old school correspondence registers were reorganised into `district books`. In addition to the information in the original series, the books often provide information on the standard of instruction in the schools and the state of repair of school buildings. (reg ED.6/2) There is an alphabetical list of all the schools for which PRONI holds records available in the `Guide to Educational Records` which is avaiable on the shelves of the Public Search Room. Alex Hughes >from Ayrshire, Scotland Searching for Duncan,Bleakie,Bruce,Kilpatrick,Campbell,Fairley,Milne,McKechan, Jamphray,Strathern,Kelso,Smith & Auld in Scotland Searching for Hughes,Hughs,Graham,McCutcheon,Donaghy,Irvine,Dorian, Kelley & Black in Ireland ----------End of Original Message----------

Kimberly,Reaney & Wilson say in The Dictionary of English Surnames,PLACE,The first record in England is of WILLIAM de PLAIZ.1190 in Yorksire on the Pipe Rolls.Then RICHARD de la Pleyse,de la Plesse in1277 on the Assie Rolls of Somerset.This branch's name is thought to come from the Old -French pleix,plais or Latin plexum all meaning " an enclosure or coppice surrounded by a fence of living wood with interlacing branches." Another branch is first recorded as WILLIAM de la PLACE,1276 on the Roll of One Hundred in London.Thought to derive from the Middle English "place" meaning "dwelling near the marketplace."The name of both branches is thought to be of French origin. This seems to tie in well with what you have.Take care, Joe Coastal CarolinaUSA PoppaJoe@webv.net

Hi all, I am new to the list and new to researching in Great Britain. I am researching the PLACE surname. My direct line we believe is Enoch PLACE born in 1631 in England, exact county unknown. Research by another distant relative reveals that our family had an ancestor by the name of Sir Robert PLAYSE (another spelling of the PLACE surname, may also be spelled PLAISE) who became a ducal knight in 1378, he also received a coat-of-arms for his services during the Crusades under Richard Coeur de Lion. Prior to this, date not known, the PLACES are said to have originated in France with the surname being LA PLAS OR LA PLAZ. Any information on any of the Places would be greatly appreciated. Willing to share what we have also. Anyone interested in the American Places, we have a list at PLACE-L@rootsweb.com. Thank you for your help, Kimberly (Place) Brosam 37108@oz.sunflower.org Researching: PLACE, ROBINSON, FIELDS, GARLAND, PIKE, HOPKINS, BROSAM, BREUER, FELTS, MOORES, SPARLING, GERLING, ROSS, SHAFER, JACKSON, JONES, NATION, REED/READ, PLAISE, PLAYSE, LA PLACE, DE LA PLACE, LA PLAS, LA PLAZ, LAUCK, GLASS, AHRING, POINT, SWEET, BENSLEY, BOYKE, STOVER, HANCY/HENCY, RIGDON.

Hi all ...I'm still plugging away. I've got two, maybe 3 pages in process. I'll unveil them soon. I have to appolagize for not making "Chat". I have got a tiger by the tail this term. I've been training to use Paf 3.0. I have to teach others every Friday afternoon so must keep abreast. My heart really has been with you all. I have very much appreciated the Irish helps sent by Alex. Hughs. I've posted the map of the Scottish Undertakers, but discovered I needed the appendix to the book , which gives the coordinated names to the map. I've ask a friend to locate it in SLC and forward a copy to me. Here is a preview of page. <http://www.angelfire.com/ut/humceltic/Undertakers.html> My genealogy class is learning the rudaments of beginning genealogy on the net besides the usual basic training. We meet every Thurdsay p.m. Tuesdays have been the pits also. I keep thinking I'll make it but with a retired spouse and all my own activities, I just haven't made it. Spring is a very busy time around here :)))

Hi all, I have an ancestress who allegedly came from Inishbofin. From what I've been able to figure out, Inishbofin *used* to be part of Co. Mayo, but is now part of Co. Galway. Is this correct? If so, does anyone know when the change was made, for purposes of research? (As in, which Heritage Center would I need to consult to find birth records of someone who was certainly gone from the island by the mid-1840s?) I'd also like to know if anyone can tell me the name (and address, if possible) of the parish church there...there should be only one, as the pop. is less than 200 now, and I don't think it ever hit 1,000 even in its finest hour. Last question...does anyone know offhand what surnames one might expect to find on Inishbofin? I understand that it's considered an "English-speaking" island, and that some of the inhabitants are descended from Cromwellian soldiers who were garrisoned there in the 17th C. Thanx and God bless, Kathleen Kathleen King Moffett kkmoffett@bigfoot.com http://members.xoom.com/CathGrrl/index.htm

This was posted to another list and I thought it might be of interest. ---------------Original Message--------------- Taken from PRONI : Local History 2 The vestry was an assembly of parishioners which met to discuss parochial business and took its name from its meeting place - the vestry or room in the church in which the priest`s vestements were kept. The vestry could raise funds for local services such as poor relief, parish constables,road repair, the organisation of education and the provision of recruits for the army. The selct vestry was a small committee which could levy taxes for religious purposes - the maintenance of the church and the payment of the parish officers such as the sexton and the parish clerk. The money which the churchwardens spent on behalf of the parish was raised largely from the parish cess, a local tax on householders, and from a lesser extent from the sale of seats in the parish church. The applotment, or assessment, of the parish cess, which appears periodically in the churchwardens account books or the vestry minute books, is a valuable record of the local community. Following the abolition of the penal laws, membership of the general vestry was open to all householders in the parish irrespective of their religion although its proceedings were effectively controlled by the Protestant minority since all officers had to be members of the Church of Ireland. The records of the transactions of the vestries, essentially vestry minutes and churchwardens` accounts, provide an important and much under-used resource for all local communities and their inhabitants. They complement the basic information which can be found from the registers of baptisms, marriages and burials by providing additional details of the activities and circumstances of the residents of the parish. Inevitably vestry records are richest for the cities and large towns; vestry records for rural parishes tend to be less rewarding. Many of the vestry minute books only cover the last 100-150 years. There are, however, exceptions such as the Parish of Shankill in Lurgan, whose minutes go back to 1672 (ref MIC.1E/33) and the vestry minute books for Christ Church Cathedral which date back to 1675 (MIC.1/4). In order to identify which records exist for a particular area and for what dates you should consult the Guide to Church Records. The guide lists, alphabetically, churches of all the main denominations who have records deposited at PRONI, and is available on the shelves of the Public Search Room. Alex Hughes >from Ayrshire, Scotland Searching for Duncan,Bleakie,Bruce,Kilpatrick,Campbell,Fairley,Milne,McKechan, Jamphray,Strathern,Kelso,Smith & Auld in Scotland Searching for Hughes,Hughs,Graham,McCutcheon,Donaghy,Irvine,Dorian, Kelley & Black in Ireland ----------End of Original Message----------

This was posted to another list and I thought that it might be of interest. ---------------Original Message--------------- Taken from PRONI : Local History 1 Ireland and its counties are sub-divided in a unique way; counties into baronies, baronies into parishes, and parishes into townlands. The townland is a unique feature of the Irish landscape and is one of the most ancient divisions in the country. The origins of the townland remains obscure but they are undoubtly of great antiquity. They existed long before the parishes and counties and were eventually written down in anglised form as they sounded to English court scribes. A good example of names written down anglised form as they sounded can be found in the Raven maps (T.510/1). Then it is possible to trace how they became increasingly anglised in the General Alphabetical Index to the Townlands and Towns, Parishes and Baronies of Ireland and the Ordance Survey maps. The townland name may originally have referred to an easily identifiable feature of the landscape such as Carraig (meaning rock) or Tullagh (meaning a hill) or a botanical feature such as Annagh (meaning marsh). The social customs or history of the people who have lived in a particular place can also be reflected in the name of the townland. Often these names are the only records which survive of the families who held land in pre-plantation times. Bally or Baile (both meaning settlement) are usually compounded with personal or family names and examples can be found all over Ireland including such names as Ballywalter, Ballyrussel and Ballysavage. Many townlands throughout Ireland took their names from early habitation sites, both eccelesiastical and secular, and these include Rath (meaning fortification) or Dun (meaning fort) or Chill (meaning church). Townlands originally consisted of a number of sub-divisions such as gneeves and ploughlands but they are now recognised as the smallest administrative division in the country. There are approximately 62,000 townlands in Ireland and great variations are evident in townland sizes due to the fact that their shapes and sizes are related to local topography and farming practices. Anything from five to thirty townlands may be grouped together to form a civil parish. From the 17th century onwards land was let by landlords on a townland basis and townland names were recorded in a variety of documentation concerning land. The rentals of estates were organised according to townlands, the Tithe Applotment Books used the townland as its smallest division and it was also used as a distinct unit in the Census and Valuation Books. The easiest way tofind the name of your townland is to consult the Alphabetical Index to the Townlands and Towns, Parishes and Baronies of Ireland. These indexes were compiled during the 19th and early 20th century after each census and lists all the baronies,parishes,villages and townlands that existed at the time. They are available on the Search Room shelves. Once you have located your particular townland you should consult the Computerised Geographical Index, available in the reception area. It lists the records available for the vast majority of townlands in Northern Ireland. Alex Hughes >from Ayrshire, Scotland Searching for Duncan,Bleakie,Bruce,Kilpatrick,Campbell,Fairley,Milne,McKechan, Jamphray,Strathern,Kelso,Smith & Auld in Scotland Searching for Hughes,Hughs,Graham,McCutcheon,Donaghy,Irvine,Dorian, Kelley & Black in Ireland ----------End of Original Message----------

This was posted to another list and I thought it might be of interest. ---------------Original Message--------------- Taken from PRONI : Local History 3 In 1824 a House of Commons committee recommended a townland survey of Ireland with maps at the scale of six inches to one statute mile to facilitate a uniform valuation for local taxtion. The survey was directed by Colonel Thomas Colby, who had available to him officers of the Royal Engineers and three companies of sappers and miners. In addition to this, civil servants were recruited to help him with sketching, drawing and engraving maps, and eventually, in the 1830s, the writing of the memoirs. The Memoirs were written descriptions intended to accompany the maps, containing information which could not be fitted on to them. They are a unique source for the history of the northern half of Ireland before the Great Famine as they document the landscape and situation, buildings and antiquities, land-holdings and population, employment and livelihood of the parishes. The surveyors recorded the habits of the people, their food, drink, dress and customs. Details of ruined churches, prehistoric monuments and standing stones were also included. The memoirs for parishes in county Londonderry and Antrim also record the names of the people known to have emigrated from the community in the previous few years. This was at a time when the pressures of growing population, reduced employment opportunities and especially the decline of farmers` income from domestically-spun yarn (which was now being done mechanically) induced many people in Ulster to emigrate. The majority of those recorded in the Memoirs are cited as having gone to Canada, though many subsequently migrated from there to the United States. The first report of the Ordance Survey appeared in 1839 but the government decided to discontinue the Survey on grounds of expense. By this time the Memoirs covered the Province of Ulster primarily, with only fragments for areas further south. They remain a marvellous wealth of information on life in Ulster during the 1830s and provides much more detailed information on the daily life of its inhabitants than any census could hope to do. PRONI has in its custody microfilm copies of the Ordance Survey Memoirs for Cos Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone as well as for Cos Cavan, Donegal, Monaghon, Queen`s County, Roscommon, Sligo and Tipperary (ref MIC.6). It is important to note that this set of Ordance Survey Memoirs on microfolm also includes `Name Books` containing details of the origin and meaning of townland names arranged by parish, for Cos Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, with some material for Cos Cavan, and Monaghan. This is an invaluable source for the student of placenames. Typed extracts are also available for selected parishes in Northern Ireland and for Co Monaghan. Researchers should also consult extracts from the Memoirs in T.2383 which also include copies of topographical drawings which were originally prepared in connection with the projected publication of the Ordance Survey Memoirs. Alex Hughes >from Ayrshire, Scotland Searching for Duncan,Bleakie,Bruce,Kilpatrick,Campbell,Fairley,Milne,McKechan, Jamphray,Strathern,Kelso,Smith & Auld in Scotland Searching for Hughes,Hughs,Graham,McCutcheon,Donaghy,Irvine,Dorian, Kelley & Black in Ireland ----------End of Original Message----------

I suppose everyone belongs to enough lists etc. so they have received a copy of this, but just in cast you haven't...... Gail aka possum -----Original Message----- From: PAM LEE MIDDLETON <YXXT08A@prodigy.com> To: Internet_Genealogy-L@rootsweb.com <Internet_Genealogy-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Tuesday, May 05, 1998 20:54 Subject: IIGS 1 Year Birthday Celebration!!! > >************************************************************************ >IT'S A *BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION* >IRC, EMAIL, ICQ & QUERY PAGE QUESTION AND ANSWER FORUM > >On May 15, 1998, the International Internet Genealogical Society will be >having many of its members available to assist you "LIVE" with your >genealogical questions, we will also have email, ICQ and an online query >page questions. Stop by our home at http://www.iigs.org for more >information on joining us. > >Visit our server to get information about our celebration noon GMT 14 May >to noon 16 May GMT > >Rootsweb Server irc.iigs.org or irc.rootsweb.com port 6667 or 7000 >IIGS Birthday Bash Information http://www.iigs.org/hear_ye.htm >************************************************************************ > >Pam Middleton-Lee in "Sunny" Palm Springs, Ca > *Genealogy is My Hobby!!* >http://home.earthlink.net/~middleton/ > *Best Genealogy Links on The WWW* >http://pages.prodigy.net/middleton/topten.html > *IIGS-International Internet Genealogical Society >http://www.iigs.org >Co-Team leader Public Relations > >

This was posted to another list and I thought it might be of interest. ---------------Original Message--------------- Taken from PRONI : Your Family Tree 14 Muster Rolls 1630 These contain lists of the principal landlords in Ulster, and the names of the men they could asemble in an emergency. They are arranged by county, and district within the county. PRONI MIC 15A/52 & 53 Books of Survey and Distribution Compiled around 1680 as a result of the wars of the mid 17th century when the English government needed reliable information on land ownership throughout Ireland to carry out its policy of land distribution. The Books of Survey and Distribution are laid out on a barony and parish basis and includes a record of land ownership before the Cromwellian and Williamite confiscations as well as the names of the individuals to whom the land was distributed. PRONI D.1854/1/1-23 Civil Survey of Ireland Sir William Petty`s Civil Survey of Ireland, compiled between 1655 & 1667, contains lists of the principal landlords of each townlands as well as their predecessor before the Cromwellian confisctions of 1641. It contains a great deal of topographical information arranged by county, barony, parish and townland. Unfortunately very little of this survey remains, although Co Londonderry and Co Tyrone are available. PRONI T.371 Census of Ireland c 1659 This census of Ireland was compiled by Sir William Petty and contains only the names of those with title to land (tituladoes) and the total number of English and Irish residents in each townland. Five counties, Cavan, Galway, Mayo, Tyrone and Wicklow are not covered. See the following: Co Armagh 1659 Census MIC.15A/72 Co Antrim 1659 Census MIC.15A/72 Co Fermanagh 1659 Census T.808/15064 Co Londonderry 1659 Census MIC.15A/82 Hearth Money Rolls Arranged by county and parish, they list only the name of the householder and the number of the hearths on which he was taxed at the rate of two shillings on every hearth or fireplace. The tax was collected over areas knows as `Walks` and based on the town. The Lisburn Walk, for example covered a large area of the south of Co Antrim and not merely Lisburn town. See the following: Co Antrim 1669 Hearth Money Roll T.307 Co Armagh 1664 Hearth Money Roll T.604 Co Fermanagh 1655-66 Hearth Money Roll T.808/15066 Co Tyrone 1664 Hearth Money Roll T.283/D/2 1666 Hearth Money Roll T.307 Subsidy Rolls The Subsidy Rolls list the nobility, clergy and laity who paid a grant in aid to the King. They include the name and the parish of the person and sometimes the amount paid and the status of the person. See the following: Co Antrim 1666 Subsidy Roll T.808/14889 Co Down 1663 Subsidy Roll T.307 Co Fermanagh 1662 Subsidy Roll T.808/15068 (Enniskillen Town only) Co Tyrone 1664 Subsidy Roll T.283/D/1 1689 List of names of Protestants in Co Armagh attained in 1689 by James II. This is simply a list of names. PRONI T.808/14985 Poll Tax Returns The Poll Tax Rolls list the people who paid a tax levied on every person over 12 years old. They give detailed facts about individuals quite unique in surviving 17th century records. See the following: Co Armagh 1660 Poll Tax Returns MIC.15A/76 Co Down 1660 Poll Tax Returns MIC.15A/76 Co Fermanagh 1660 Poll Tax Returns MIC.15A/80 Co Tyrone 1698 Poll Tax Returns MIC.15A/81 Co Londonderry 1669 Poll Tax Returns MIC.15A/82 Alex Hughes >from Ayrshire, Scotland Searching for Duncan,Bruce,Kilpatrick,Campbell,Fairley,Milne,McKechan, Jamphray,Strathern,Kelso,Smith & Auld in Scotland Searching for Hughes, Graham, McCutcheon, Donaghy, Irvine, Dorian, Kelley & Black in Ireland ----------End of Original Message----------

This was posted to another list and I thought it might be of interest. ---------------Original Message--------------- Taken from PRONI : Your Family Tree 15 PRONI has in its custody records compiled by scholars which are of enormous interest to genealogists. Pedigrees for families from many different parts of Ireland are available. Most notable of these are the extract pedigrees from Wills proved in the Prerogative Court of Ireland between the 16th and 18th centuries compiled by or for Sir Bernard Burke, Ulster King of Arms. This collection has 42 volumes of Pedigree Charts, are of great importance to all record searchers. Indexes to these volumes are available on the Search Room shelves (ref T.559). Each volume has an index at the back and these are worth checking to ensure that you have seen all the entries for the family which are included in that particular volume. Also of interest are the Groves Manuscripts which contain a great deal of valuable material for genealogists. Tenison Groves, a Belfast genealogist and record researcher for more than 40 yrs, compiled a collection of any thousands of transcripts, abstracts, notes, etc.,which he made from Records in Public Record Office in Dublin before its partial destruction in 1922. That part of the collection which related to Northern Ireland was purchased by PRONI in 1939. The items, numbering over 9,000 includes 17th century muster rolls, militia lists and family pedigrees and is an invaluable source for genealogists. The genealogical material in the Groves Collection has been arranged roughly by surname starting with the same letter. The arrangement under each letter is not strictly alphapbetical and material on one name can appear in several volumes. The Groves Manuscripts have been given the PRONI Ref. T.808 and the catolgue which features typescript extracts from these records, is available of the shelves of the Public Search Room. Pedigree and genealogical papers relating to individual families can be located using the Personal Names Index. A number of such papers have also been collected together under the single Ref. D.3000. Researchers interested in the pedigrees of the leading landowning families in Ulster should consult the introduction in the respective calendars. Alex Hughes >from Ayrshire, Scotland Searching for Duncan,Bruce,Kilpatrick,Campbell,Fairley,Milne,McKechan, Jamphray,Strathern,Kelso,Smith & Auld in Scotland Searching for Hughes, Graham, McCutcheon, Donaghy, Irvine, Dorian, Kelley & Black in Ireland ----------End of Original Message----------