Does anybody have any info or connection with the following trying to find out where the two families came from not sure about Ballina My greatgrandparents Honora (Honor) nee Clarke, (don’t know where the Clarke family came from) and Francis Gillespie came over from I think Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, because of the potato famine or after. He was a labourer. They were married on 25th July 1863 at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Bridge Street, Sunderland, England. On the 1871 census they were living West Hartlepool, Francis my greatgrandfather was 35 and a boilersmith, Honora my greatgrandmother was 30. Children of theirs then was Mary 6 born Sunderland, William 5 Sunderland, Michael 3 Sunderland, a Francis 1 died aged 2 born Monkwearmouth, Barbara 1 month born West Hartlepool and Ann mother of Francis my greatgreatgrandmother aged 60 wife’s assistant born Ireland. Next door was another Gillespie family, namely, Michael, aged, 44, Ann, 43, and Francis, 17. On the 1881 census their dwelling place was 79 Lower East Street, Middlesbrough, Francis was 47, occupation Ship Caulker (Builder), I think he lost an eye in an accident, I don’t know whether it was on the ships and he got compensation, Honora Gillespie was 40, siblings (daughters and sons) Mary A Gillespie 16 (registered birth Sunderland) occupation General Servant, William Gillespie 15 (registered birth Sunderland), Scholar (school child), Francis (grandfather) was 8 (registered birth Hartlepool), Eleanor Gillespie was 6 (registered birth Sunderland), Joseph Gillespie was 4 (registered birth Sunderland), Michael Gillespie was 2 (registered birth Middlesbrough), a Margaret and James Gillespie was 5 months (registered birth Middlesbrough) married somebody called Nellie. Ann, my greatgreatgrandmother died in 1879 at the Middlesbrough address. My great greatgrandparents on the Gillespie side were Patrick and Ann. Honora’s father was called William Clarke an agricultural labourer. Regards Dor