Hi, I have just joined the list and am totally new to undertaking research about people born in Ireland. I want to establish the birth, parentage and ancestry, of Thomas Edwin John HENRY (circa 1842 - 1883) and whether an apparent connection with the SHEKLETON surname, and in particular a Mrs Margaret SHEKLETON, is due to a family relationship or some other cause. At this point I don't know where to begin to find the answers to these questions. In the hope it will help I list below what I do know. 1871: Thomas E J HENRY, 4 Eaton Rise Ealing, Middlesex, occupation "Income from Land", b. Ireland. Wife Harriette, children Thomas 5, Margaret S(hekleton) 3, Edwin 2, John 1, and Thomas Roland 9 months, all born in Ireland. Parish records (found on Ancestry.co) all the children born Kingstown, Dublin County, mother's maiden name ARMSTRONG. 1879: The Irish Law Times Reports - In re The Estate of Martin & Others, Owners, - concerning the partition of certain lands held under a lease, originally from a Robert WADDELL to William MARTIN whose interest eventually became vested in Margaret SHEKLETON and James MARTIN as tenants in common, "and afterwards in Thomas E J HENRY, as representing the said Margaret SHEKLETON, and in William Richard MARTIN and Catherine MARTIN, as representatives of the said James MARTIN." By indenture 7 August 1872 Thomas E J HENRY had granted the lands mentioned in the petition (but not identified) to Thomas H ARMSTRONG, William M'CRUM, and Robert Garmony M'CRUM, and to their heirs assigns, upon trusts for the benefit of his wife and children. 1854: Dromore County Down Return of Lands & Houses belonging to Established Church in Ireland - shows a) "Part of Drumnahall Barony of Lower Iveagh Lease 30 Aug 1844 Lessee Mrs Margaret SHEKLETON - Perpetuities" b) "Drumnahall Barony of Lower Iveagh Lease 27 Feb 1847 Lessee William Henry MARTIN - Perpetuities" c) "Kilscolbane Barony of Lower Iveagh Lease 24 June 1848 Mrs HENRY'S Trustees" d) "Kilscolbane Barony of Lower Iveagh Lease 22 July 1852 W. H. & J MARTIN" (these last two entries being linked and there being renewal fines associated) e) "Drummeath Barony of Lower Iveagh Lease 11 March 1853 Lessee Thomas HENRY'S Executor's - Tithes under Lease" f) "Magheradroll Tithes Baronies of Lower Iveagh & Kinclearty Lease 22 July 1852 Lessee MARTIN & SHEKLETON - Tithes under Lease" and g) "Rectorial Tithes of Dawins Garnaghy Barony of Upper Iveagh Lease 28 March 1854 Lessee Robert MARTIN - Tithes under Lease." >From all that I am assuming that the lands in question in the court case relate to land in County Down, Barony of Lower Iveagh - possibly a) Drumnahall listed above or f) Magheradroll. I have no idea what the land/lease system was at that time in Ireland so don't really understand what the above really meant! 1881: Thomas E. J. HENRY is still at 4 Eaton Rise Ealing recorded born Dublin, Ireland. He dies 23 September 1883 leaving a Will with a Personal Estate of only Five Pounds (?). His wife Harriette is residing elsewhere in Ealing with some the children (others are off in private schools) and recorded born Peterborough Canada. Two children of Thomas and Harriette born after 1871 in England are at home: Florence Stuart HENRY b. 1872 and Thomas Alexander Stewart HENRY b. 1873. So this couple named 3 children Thomas and all children survived! 1891 - 1918: Harriette, Widow of Thomas E J HENRY continues to reside at 4 Eaton Rise Ealing, living on private means. She dies in 1918. The eldest son, Thomas, has become an Architect, Edwin a Physician and Surgeon, John a Major in the Army, Thomas Roland a Land Agent and the youngest son Thomas Alexander Stewart HENRY is in the Clergy. Several leave large personal estates when they die. Clearly income, possibly from lands still leased out in Ireland subsidised this family's lives. After all that, can anyone assist me? Lis South Australia