This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Eilis_OHara Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.ireland.lex.general/2687.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi Jason, You'll need to research Thomas civil and church marriage and death records, cemetery records, tombstone, will and obituary as well as his US naturalisation records to find out where he was born in Co. Laois and his parents names. Civil registration of births didn't start in Ireland until 1864 too late for his birth record. There are no surviving census records before 1901. Church parish records for his birth location in Co. Laois would be the possible source for his baptismal record if the church parish records survive for his birth year. Many church parish records don't go back far enough for his baptismal record. You need to find out what his birthplace was in Co. Laois to then determine if the church parish records survive for his birth location. There's a list of the names of the towns and townlands in Co. Laois at the Ireland Townland Database http://www.seanruad.com and select Laois from the drop down menu. You'll need Thomas date of birth, birthpace in Co. Laois, his parents names and religious denomination. If he was Roman Catholic here's a link to the Roman Catholic parish maps in Co. Laois, click on each parish on the maps to see the dates covered in the records and where the records can be researched: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/browse/counties/rcmaps/laoisrc.htm Regards. Eilis O'Hara Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.