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

Dear Georgia, Now that you have possibly found "your" Alexander McCoy, you can move from the Index to the actual valuation (available at your local FHC). Griffith's was a valuation (assessment) made in order to levy taxes. The actual valuation describes the holdings - acreage, buildings, etc. and puts a value on them. It will give you an idea of the relative wealth or poverty of your ancestor. You will also find out who owned the land occupied by Alexander (most folks were tenants) Then you will someday be able to look into the estate records of that landlord if you are lucky. You will also be able to find out who Alexander's neighbors were. It would not be surprising to find some Olivers nearby. Better yet, go to your FHC and rent the film of Ballybay Parish's Tithe Applotment Books. This is a similar valuation done in the 1820's. You are more likely to find more McCoy's then, as many may have emigrated by the time of Griffiths. A last thought - you don't say when Robert left Ireland. If he was there long enough to have married, you might want to check the Index to Irish Marriages which begins in 1845 for Protestants. The marriage record would confirm that you have the right one as it gives ages, townlands, fathers' name and occupation, type of service (also church or place of marriage - would point you to the right church records) Or if he married in Australia, a similar record there would probably contain the same info. If you aren't familiar with the LDS holdings, visit their website with its online catalog. <http://www.familysearch.org/Search/searchcatalog.asp> Good luck, Joan GLS1943@aol.com wrote: > 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