Hi Catherine -- Yes, "The Banshee" is one of my favorite poems. Thank you for your comments. If I come across the verses you are referring to, I will let you know. (I am glad I am not the only one whose memory is fading!!!). Jean xx ----- Original Message ----- From: "catherine" <om015b2853@blueyonder.co.uk> To: <IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 24, 2005 5:19 PM Subject: Re: [UK-Irish] "The Banshee" -- John TODHUNTER (1839-1916) > Thank you Jean for the poem Banshee, its lovely. > Years ago I was told a poem about a princess sent to Scotland to marry a > King,she fell in love with his son and they fled across the sea, the king > went after them and sank the boat losing both of them, > My memory is fading and I would love to read this poem again, I remember it > was a famous poet but sadly can't remember who, Any idea's gratefully > received > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Jean R." <jeanrice@cet.com> > To: <IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 9:21 PM > Subject: [UK-Irish] "The Banshee" -- John TODHUNTER (1839-1916) > > > > THE BANSHEE > > > > Green, in the wizard arms > > Of the foam-bearded Atlantic, <snip>

Hi Rory -- .What was going on in England at a partricular time should be of interest to genealogists as background to their FH. This first-hand account demonstrates again the differences between life as experienced by the poor and the upper classes. Many Irish ended up in Manchester as well as Liverpool. I know there are some listers with Manchester interests. Thank you for your comments about the Famine post. Jean . > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "roariii-gen" <ronmc@btinternet.com> > To: <IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, October 24, 2005 4:16 PM > Subject: Re: [UK-Irish] Opening of Liverpool-Manchester Railway, 15 Sept > 1830 > > > > Jean. This is a very interesting account for Railway Enthusiasts but what > > relevance has it for Irish/U.K. family history research ? The Author is > John > > Carey of probable Irish extraction do you have any details of his family > > History ? Regards Rory. > > >

Thank you Jean for the poem Banshee, its lovely. Years ago I was told a poem about a princess sent to Scotland to marry a King,she fell in love with his son and they fled across the sea, the king went after them and sank the boat losing both of them, My memory is fading and I would love to read this poem again, I remember it was a famous poet but sadly can't remember who, Any idea's gratefully received ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jean R." <jeanrice@cet.com> To: <IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 9:21 PM Subject: [UK-Irish] "The Banshee" -- John TODHUNTER (1839-1916) > THE BANSHEE > > Green, in the wizard arms > Of the foam-bearded Atlantic, > An isle of old enchantment, > A melancholy isle, > Enchanted and dreaming lies; > And there, by Shannon's flowing, > In the moonlight, spectre-thin, > The spectre Erin sits. > > An aged desolation, > She sits by old Shannon's flowing, > A mother of many children, > Of children exiled and dead, > In her home, with bent head, homeless, > Clasping her knees she sits, > Keening, keening! > > And at her keen the fairy-grass > Trembles on dun and barrow; > Around the foot of her ancient crosses > The grave-grass shakes and the nettle swings; > In haunted glens the meadow-sweet > Flings to the night wind > Her mystic mournful perfume; > The sad spearmint by holy wells > Breathes melancholy balm. > Sometimes she lifts her head, > With blue eyes tearless, > And gazes athwart the reek of night > Upon things long past, > Upon things to come. > > And sometimes, when the moon > Brings tempest upon the deep, > And roused Atlantic thunders from his caverns in the west, > The wolfhound at her feet > Springs up with a mighty bay, > And chords of mystery sound from the wild harp at her side, > Strung from the heart of poets; > And she flies on the wings of tempest > With grey hair streaming: > A meteor of evil omen, > The spectre of hope forlorn, > Keening, keening! > > She keens, and the strings of her wild harp shiver > On the gusts of night: > O'er the four waters she keens -- over Moyle she keens, > O'er the Sea of Milith, and the Strait of Strongbow, > And the Ocean of Columbus. > > And the Fianna hear, and the ghosts of her cloudy hovering heroes; > And the swan, Fianoula, wails o'er the waters of Inisfail, > Chanting her song of destiny, > The rune of the weaving Fates. > And the nations hear in the void and quaking time of night, > Sad unto dawning, dirges, > Solemn dirges, > And snatches of bardic song; > Their souls quake in the void and quaking time of night, > And they dream of the weird of kings, > And tyrannies moulting, sick > In the dreadful wind of change. > > Wail no more, lonely one, mother of exiles, wail no more, > Banshee of the world -- no more! > Thy sorrows are the world's, thou art no more alone; > Thy wrongs, the world's. > > -- John Todhunter > > > ==== IRISH-IN-UK Mailing List ==== > The Irish-In-UK Mailing List Website: > http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/IrishUK/ > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.361 / Virus Database: 267.12.4/146 - Release Date: 21/10/2005 > >

Jean. What an excellent account of the Famine.This portrays much of the suffering of the Irish in those troubled times and very relevant to our research.More snippets of this type would be most welcome.Thank you. By the way if I recall your interest is in the FORD family. There are quite a few in the 1871 census for Cheshire. Many Irish worked in the Salt Mines.Regards Rory. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.361 / Virus Database: 267.12.5/147 - Release Date: 24/10/2005

Jean. This is a very interesting account for Railway Enthusiasts but what relevance has it for Irish/U.K. family history research ? The Author is John Carey of probable Irish extraction do you have any details of his family History ? Regards Rory. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.361 / Virus Database: 267.12.5/147 - Release Date: 24/10/2005

Hi Joy, www.originsnetwork.com Maureen -----Original Message----- From: IRISH-IN-UK-L-request@rootsweb.com [mailto:IRISH-IN-UK-L-request@rootsweb.com]On Behalf Of cairolyle Sent: 23 October 2005 16:34 To: IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [UK-Irish] Griffith's Valuation website What is the website mentioned for Griffith's Valuation again? Thanks, Joy ----- Original Message ----- From: "brntown" <brntown@cox.net> To: <IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 3:00 AM Subject: Re: [UK-Irish] Griffith's Valuation website > I agree whole heartedly with Pat Wood. THIS IS EXCELLENT! > I have found many, many of my names here and with the exact > location - that is every researchers dream. > Everyone should take a look. brntown@cox.net > > > > ==== IRISH-IN-UK Mailing List ==== > The Irish-In-UK Mailing List Website: > http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/IrishUK/ > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > > ==== IRISH-IN-UK Mailing List ==== To unsub or change your subscription: http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Ethnic-Irish/IRISH-IN-UK.html ============================== Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx Important: Internet communications are not necessarily secure and may be intercepted or changed after they are sent. The Abbey National Group does not accept liability for any such changes. If you wish to confirm the origin or content of this communication, please contact the sender using an alternative means of communication. This communication does not create or modify any contract. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication you should destroy it without copying, disclosing or otherwise using its contents. Please notify the sender immediately of the error. The Abbey National Group comprises Abbey National plc and its subsidiary group of companies, including Cater Allen Limited. Abbey National plc. Registered Office: Abbey National House, 2 Triton Square, Regents Place, London, NW1 3AN. Reg. No. 2294747. Registered in England. Cater Allen Limited Registered Office: Abbey National House, 2 Triton Square, Regents Place, London, NW1 3AN. Reg. No. 383032. Registered in England.

John Todhunter (1839-1916) was an Irish poet and playwright who wrote seven volumes of poetry, and several plays. He was born in Dublin, the eldest son of Thomas Harvey TODHUNTER, a Quaker merchant of English origin. He and was educated at Quaker schools in York and Mountmellick and attended Trinity College Medical School, where he studied medicine. While at Trinity, TODHUNTER won the Vice-Chancellor's prize for English Verse 1864, 1865 and 1866, and the Gold Medal of the Philosophical Society 1866 for an essay. He also clerked for William STOKES while studying. He received his Bachelor of Medicine in 1867, and his Doctorate of Medicine degree in 1871. In 1870 (one year prior to his DM) he became a Professor of English Literature at Alexandra College, Dublin. Four years later, he resigned from that position, and travelled to several places in Europe, including Egypt. He married Dora L. DIGBY in 1879. In 1881, he finally settled in London, where his home in Bedford Park, Chiswick was located in a small community of writers and artists, who included W. B. YEATS. He was involved in the founding of the Irish Literary Society there. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jean R." <jeanrice@cet.com> To: <IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 1:21 PM Subject: [UK-Irish] "The Banshee" -- John TODHUNTER (1839-1916)

THE BANSHEE Green, in the wizard arms Of the foam-bearded Atlantic, An isle of old enchantment, A melancholy isle, Enchanted and dreaming lies; And there, by Shannon's flowing, In the moonlight, spectre-thin, The spectre Erin sits. An aged desolation, She sits by old Shannon's flowing, A mother of many children, Of children exiled and dead, In her home, with bent head, homeless, Clasping her knees she sits, Keening, keening! And at her keen the fairy-grass Trembles on dun and barrow; Around the foot of her ancient crosses The grave-grass shakes and the nettle swings; In haunted glens the meadow-sweet Flings to the night wind Her mystic mournful perfume; The sad spearmint by holy wells Breathes melancholy balm. Sometimes she lifts her head, With blue eyes tearless, And gazes athwart the reek of night Upon things long past, Upon things to come. And sometimes, when the moon Brings tempest upon the deep, And roused Atlantic thunders from his caverns in the west, The wolfhound at her feet Springs up with a mighty bay, And chords of mystery sound from the wild harp at her side, Strung from the heart of poets; And she flies on the wings of tempest With grey hair streaming: A meteor of evil omen, The spectre of hope forlorn, Keening, keening! She keens, and the strings of her wild harp shiver On the gusts of night: O'er the four waters she keens -- over Moyle she keens, O'er the Sea of Milith, and the Strait of Strongbow, And the Ocean of Columbus. And the Fianna hear, and the ghosts of her cloudy hovering heroes; And the swan, Fianoula, wails o'er the waters of Inisfail, Chanting her song of destiny, The rune of the weaving Fates. And the nations hear in the void and quaking time of night, Sad unto dawning, dirges, Solemn dirges, And snatches of bardic song; Their souls quake in the void and quaking time of night, And they dream of the weird of kings, And tyrannies moulting, sick In the dreadful wind of change. Wail no more, lonely one, mother of exiles, wail no more, Banshee of the world -- no more! Thy sorrows are the world's, thou art no more alone; Thy wrongs, the world's. -- John Todhunter

And if you want to see the actual images of the valuation pages, you can access those through www.originsnetwork.com, for a subscription fee. Subscriptions range from 72-hour access, to monthly, quarterly, and annual. The Origins Network offers British, Irish and Scottish records. Kathy -----Original Message----- From: Pat Wood [mailto:twigs3@harbornet.com] Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 12:25 PM To: IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [UK-Irish] Griffith's Valuation website Here it is. Thanks so very much to John Hayes for pulling this all together and making it available to us all. Best of good luck! Resource for Griffith's Valuation http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths.php

Thanks to George of the Irish Heritage Newsletter for allowing me to pass this on...it reminds me of when I was a child and heard the wind howling and my father said it was the banshees. The Cry of the Banshee I have heard many people say that they have seen the other world or seen loved ones from the other world, but have they heard the Banshee cry? The word Banshee comes from the Irish word "Bean-sidhe" ban (bean), a woman, and shee ( sidhe, a fairie), ( pronounced Bann shee) . From the mythical race of the Tuatha De'Dannan, or fairy folk. But other sources say that 'Bean Sidhe' is translated as "woman of the hills." . the Banshee is seen in many forms, from a crow to a old hag, Truthfully from all accounts ( majority rules) she is seen as a woman. She is often described as a beautiful young woman with streaming auburn hair. wearing a green woolen dress with gray cloak clasped about her shoulders. She has also been seen wearing either a grey, hooded cloak or the winding sheet or grave robe of the unshriven dead. A Banshee may also appear as a washer-woman, and is often seen at rivers and waterfalls. On the battlefield she can be seen washing the clothes of a solider who will soon be lost in battle. In this guise she is known as the bean-nighe (washing woman). Though she is not always seen, her mourning call is heard, usually at night when someone is about to die. The only hint that this beautiful Banshee is a messenger of doom comes from the fact that her eyes are blood red from crying for her dead In all respects the Banshee is seen as a bearer of bad fortune or death, but in actuality she is fortelling the inevitable and paying her respects to the soon to be departed. Many have seen her as she goes wailing and clapping her hands. The keen (caoine), the funeral cry of the peasants, is said to be an imitation of her cry.. When a multiple Banshees wail together, it is for the death of someone very great. When a member of the beloved family is dying, she paces the dark hills about his house .Her sharp, cries and wails piercing the night air. Tradition and myth surrounds the function of the Banshee including the families for which she is bound, some have said that she owes allegiance to the five major irish families those being the O'Briens, O'Neills, O'Connors, O'Gradys and the Kavanaghs. Along those lines is the tradition of allegiance to all families starting with Mac, or O. Each banshee has her own mortal family, she follows, And she has been heard in America, England and other places where the Irish have settled. In shadows and unseen the Banshee attends the funeral of those families whom she is connected with, her voice blending in with the cries of the other mourners. A common myth is that if you catch her, she is obliged to tell the name of the doomed. but would you really want to? Many stories have been told about the Banshee from localized fairy tales to goulish hauntings.. An omen that sometimes accompanies the banshee is the coach-a-bower (coiste-bodhar) an immense black coach, mounted by a coffin, and drawn by headless horses driven by a Dullahan. It will go rumbling up to your door, and if you open the doors a pail of blood will be thrown in your face. In 1437, King James I of Scotland was approached by an Irish seeress or banshee who foretold his murder at the instigation of the Earl of Atholl. This is another example of a banshee but in human form. There are records of several human banshees or prophetesses who took part and were members of some of the great houses of Ireland and the courts of local Irish kings. In parts of Leinster, she is referred to as the bean chaointe (keening woman) whose wail can shatters glass. In Kerry, the keen is a soft enjoyable singing. In Tyrone the sound is like two boards struck together. And on Rathlin Island it is a screeching sound like a wail of a woman. Whether you believe in the Banshee, or the tradition which lies behind it. I just wish you all a peaceful sleep, and the crying in the night is just the wind knocking at your window pane, I promise... -- Pat Connors, currently visiting Albany NY http://www.connorsgenealogy.com

What is the website mentioned for Griffith's Valuation again? Thanks, Joy ----- Original Message ----- From: "brntown" <brntown@cox.net> To: <IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 3:00 AM Subject: Re: [UK-Irish] Griffith's Valuation website > I agree whole heartedly with Pat Wood. THIS IS EXCELLENT! > I have found many, many of my names here and with the exact > location - that is every researchers dream. > Everyone should take a look. brntown@cox.net > > > > ==== IRISH-IN-UK Mailing List ==== > The Irish-In-UK Mailing List Website: > http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/IrishUK/ > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > >

Here it is. Thanks so very much to John Hayes for pulling this all together and making it available to us all. Best of good luck! Resource for Griffith's Valuation http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths.php Pat Wood Fircrest, WA, USA **** All outgoing mail scanned by Norton Anti-virus **** ----- Original Message ----- From: "cairolyle" <cairolyle@netzero.net> To: <IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 8:33 AM Subject: Re: [UK-Irish] Griffith's Valuation website > What is the website mentioned for Griffith's Valuation again? > > Thanks, > Joy > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "brntown" <brntown@cox.net> > To: <IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 3:00 AM > Subject: Re: [UK-Irish] Griffith's Valuation website > > >> I agree whole heartedly with Pat Wood. THIS IS EXCELLENT! >> I have found many, many of my names here and with the exact >> location - that is every researchers dream. >> Everyone should take a look. brntown@cox.net >> >> >> >> ==== IRISH-IN-UK Mailing List ==== >> The Irish-In-UK Mailing List Website: >> http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/IrishUK/ >> >> ============================== >> Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the >> last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx >> >> >> > > > > ==== IRISH-IN-UK Mailing List ==== > To unsub or change your subscription: > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Ethnic-Irish/IRISH-IN-UK.html > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > >

I agree whole heartedly with Pat Wood. THIS IS EXCELLENT! I have found many, many of my names here and with the exact location - that is every researchers dream. Everyone should take a look. brntown@cox.net

I have on the 1861 Census for the All Saints Parish of Poplar, Parliamentary Borough of Tower Hamlets the following. John Callahan Rigger Seaman. 35 years (born in Cork,Ireland) Catherine " wife 22 " The rest born in Poplar Mary " daughter 4 years Catherine " " 2 " John " son 3 months Also found: Ann Callahan daughter born in 1863 All living at Kerbey Street Poplar. I have details of my Grt Grandfather John & his wife Catherine (nee Gunn) & family up until 1867 when my Grandfather William Callahan was born at the same address but have a gap of 25 years until 1892 when he was married at Mile End Old Town Register Office where his brother John above was a witness to his wedding. Details after this I only have of my Grandfather & fmly down to me. Are there any relations out there please I would like to hear from them if so. Mary Palmer nee Callahan

Hi List Anyone connected to this family taken from the 1881 census Dwelling: 3 H 20 C Eldon St Census Place: Liverpool, Lancashire, England Source: FHL Film 1341861 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 3596 Folio 51 Page 36 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Luke MCGUINNES M 35 M Ireland Rel: Head Occ: Dock Laborer Margaret MCGUINNES M 28 F Ireland Rel: Wife Michael MCGUINNES U 9 M Ireland Rel: Son Anne MCGUINNES U 6 F Ireland Rel: Daur Mary MCGUINNES U 3 F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Rel: Daur Luke MCGUINNES U 3 m M Liverpool, Lancashire, England Rel: Son Margared MCGUINNES U 3 m F Liverpool, Lancashire, England Rel: Daur Edward FARRELL U 22 M Ireland Rel: Boarder Occ: Builders Laborer On the 1891 Margaret is a widow living at 6/7 Burlington Road St Albans Liverpool ,with Luke and Margaret both aged 19 and a grandson Luke Smith age 6. Any info welcome Gilly

I feel obligated to warn you about the Griffith's Valuation Index, whether you have the cd, as I do, or use the version at John Hayes' website. I can only attest to County Tipperary because I have done much research in that county and in most of the civil parishes the index doesn't list the surnames that start from A to L, so if you are looking for Connors in County Tipperary, you probably won't find it listed. So, while most of the index is certainly accurate, if you don't find your surname in it, don't give up. The index on the OriginsNetwork program is accurate, however, it is a subscription site. Since I am a member I will do a lookup for you if the surname begins with M to Z, you are searching in Co Tipperary and you write me off line. I have time today and tomorrow only. -- Pat Connors, currently visiting Albany NY http://www.connorsgenealogy.com

Thanks for the info. I have managed to find the Simon Ryan on the list you mentioned, and as its quiet tonight, (everyone must have gone out tonight instead of doing their banking)Now I am trying to buy either the book or CD version of Griffiths Valuation...so here goes !!!!! Thanks again -----Original Message----- From: IRISH-IN-UK-L-request@rootsweb.com [mailto:IRISH-IN-UK-L-request@rootsweb.com]On Behalf Of Jean R. Sent: 21 October 2005 19:20 To: IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [UK-Irish] RYAN, Simon & Griffith's Valuation website --RYAN,Thos., born Carlow Hi Maureen -- Below is a website with extracts from Griffith's Valuation in Ireland. While there were a few Thomas Ryans and a couple Bridget Ryans enumerated in Co. Carlow, I think your best clue might be found in what could be considered a much less common name -"Simon Ryan." There was one Simon Ryan listed living in Co. Carlow, Carlow Town, in Carlow parish. Resource for Griffith's Valuation http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths.php I suppost, that Simon's given name might even be a "surname in disguise." You often see this is well-to-do families, where a male child's unusual given first or middle name reflects a surname important to the family such as his mother's maiden name. You might want to read up on Simon as a given name and Simon as a surname. Or possibly, there were other Simon Ryans in earlier generations. From: "Ryan, Maureen" <Maureen.Ryan@caterallen.co.uk> To: <IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Subject: [UK-Irish] RYAN...THOMAS, born Carlow Date: Thursday, October 20, 2005 2:36 PM Can anyone out there help me please, I am looking for the parish !!! where my Great Grandfather was born. RYAN Thomas. Born 1851, Carlow, parish not known Parents, Simon and Bridget he emigrated to UK, year not known <snip> ==== IRISH-IN-UK Mailing List ==== To unsub or change your subscription: http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Ethnic-Irish/IRISH-IN-UK.html ============================== Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx Important: Internet communications are not necessarily secure and may be intercepted or changed after they are sent. The Abbey National Group does not accept liability for any such changes. If you wish to confirm the origin or content of this communication, please contact the sender using an alternative means of communication. This communication does not create or modify any contract. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication you should destroy it without copying, disclosing or otherwise using its contents. Please notify the sender immediately of the error. The Abbey National Group comprises Abbey National plc and its subsidiary group of companies, including Cater Allen Limited. Abbey National plc. Registered Office: Abbey National House, 2 Triton Square, Regents Place, London, NW1 3AN. Reg. No. 2294747. Registered in England. Cater Allen Limited Registered Office: Abbey National House, 2 Triton Square, Regents Place, London, NW1 3AN. Reg. No. 383032. Registered in England.

Looking for John Hyland born circa 1833 Ireland originally thought near or in Dublin, now not sure. married circa 1853? or? to Mary? or Maria? MacQueen, Shaw, Urquhart, Wallace, Dwyer? coming to USA circa 1859-60 residing McLean Co IL USA 1860. Children: Elizabeth married Aaron H Martin, Margaret married Abram Riley Lindamood, James, Mary married my Millard Filmore COLEMAN, Thomas married Harriett Esarey, Katherin married Alfred George Osborn BLENKARN & Patrick? John and family in Woodson Co KS circa 1871, John died as a widower circa 1878 leaving 6 small children. Any help out there? Coleen Coleman wyoeagle@webtv.net

This is certainly an excellent resource! Thanks very much to whomever posted it to this list. It gives me just what I've been looking for. > Resource for Griffith's Valuation > http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths.php

Hi Maureen -- Below is a website with extracts from Griffith's Valuation in Ireland. While there were a few Thomas Ryans and a couple Bridget Ryans enumerated in Co. Carlow, I think your best clue might be found in what could be considered a much less common name -"Simon Ryan." There was one Simon Ryan listed living in Co. Carlow, Carlow Town, in Carlow parish. Resource for Griffith's Valuation http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths.php I suppost, that Simon's given name might even be a "surname in disguise." You often see this is well-to-do families, where a male child's unusual given first or middle name reflects a surname important to the family such as his mother's maiden name. You might want to read up on Simon as a given name and Simon as a surname. Or possibly, there were other Simon Ryans in earlier generations. From: "Ryan, Maureen" <Maureen.Ryan@caterallen.co.uk> To: <IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Subject: [UK-Irish] RYAN...THOMAS, born Carlow Date: Thursday, October 20, 2005 2:36 PM Can anyone out there help me please, I am looking for the parish !!! where my Great Grandfather was born. RYAN Thomas. Born 1851, Carlow, parish not known Parents, Simon and Bridget he emigrated to UK, year not known <snip>