Hi Georgia, I don't know where you got your information for the Griffith's Valuation, but if it was from the CDROM, you could have gone one step further. You could have also found the townland of your ancestor listed, in addition to the name of the Civil Parish. By the way, the Griffith's Valuation for Co. Monaghan was taken in 1858-1860. Different years for different Counties. The information you did find listed the Parish of Ballybay. You know your people were Presbyterian. You are in luck in that the Presbyterian Meetinghouses in that area have good, old records: 1st Ballybay - 1834 2nd Ballybay - 1833 Derryvalley - 1816 Cahans - 1752 Furthermore, last year a book was published about the Presbyterians in the Ballybay area. It is entitled "Full Circle" and I'm sure there are copies available for sale as they had a rather large printing of the book, I understand. I haven't seen the book, but some of my Cavan/Monaghan friends bought it and said it is very, very interesting. There are several other books, no longer in print, which you might find interesting. I really liked "The History of Monaghan for 200 Years" which is available through InterLibrary Loan; however this is not just Presbyterian history. Life was fascinating and very hard in Co. Monaghan in the early years. I understand that "Full Circle" does tell the story of the 300 Presbyterians lead by Rev. Dr. Clark from Ballybay [and probably other nearby congregations] to North America back in the 1700's. I plan to get a copy of the book myself. Patricia ----- Original Message ----- From: <GLS1943@aol.com> To: <IRL-MONAGHAN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2000 8:42 PM Subject: [MONAGHAN] Alexander McCoy I have an Alexander McCoy in Monaghan. He was the father of Robert McCoy who was born in County Monaghan. Alexander married Mary Oliver. Robert was born in 1833. Alexander was a banker. Robert became a school teacher. He was headmaster of a school in Australia. I believe the family were Presbyterian. I received the following information from a look-up in Griffith's Valuation: Index to Griffith's Valuation of Ireland, 1848-1864 Mc Coy, Alexander County : Monaghan Parish : Ballybay Location : Clogher Contd That's the only information I have been able to gather. I haven't a clue as to what the Griffith's Valuation entry means, nor any idea with how to use this info to gain more. I haven't any idea at all as to how to proceed with trying to find this family. Is there anyone who can offer ideas...leads...or suggestions? Heaven knows, I would be extremely grateful. Georgia Whitson Philadelphia, PA USA ==== IRL-MONAGHAN Mailing List ==== The preferred method of responding to messages sent to the mailing list is to send your answer or response back to the mailing list. The obvious benefit of responding back thru the list is that someone else may be looking for the same information and just hasn't asked the question yet. © MM

Just in case there is anyone who has become curious about Ballybay Presbyterians or the book "Full Circle" or the exodus of 300 Presbyterians from Ballybay to America, here is a website which will surely be of interest to you: http://homepage.tinet.ie/~denesbitt/menu.html Patricia