Meedin parish

Hi, thank you for your message.

I cannot find any reference to a Meedin in Westmeath, however I did find a townland called Meedian in the civil parish of Clonfad, could this be where you are referring to?

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/fuses/townlands/index.cfm?fuseaction=TownlandsInCivil&civilparishid=2458&civilparish=Clonfad&citycounty=Westmeath

http://www.logainm.ie/Viewer.aspx?text=meedian&streets=yes

I have forwarded your  message onto one of our volunteers in Clonfad who hopefully may be able to answer your questions.

Kind regards,

Genealogy Support

There is a lovely rural graveyard adjoining Meedin church of the Sacred Heart, which is a Roman Catholic church in the Rochfordbridge parish.  Therefore I would think the records are kept by the parish priest in Rochfortbridge (+35344 9221107).

Meedin can be accessed from the main Tyrrellspass-Rochfortbridge road or from other directions closer to Mullingar.

The graveyard is looked after very well and a memorial service for all who are buried there is carried out annually.  If I can be of help in accessing some information, please let me know.

Best wishes, Ina Kelly

I discovered recently that many of my earlier relatives are buried in meedin. In fact after research my paternal grandfather and grandmother are buried there. Both died between 1905 and 1907. My uncle, aunt , cousin and uncles wife are buried in one grave. The grave was never properly recorded or marked, we are now in a position to erect a small, dignified grave marker which will record the names, and approx ages, dates of death. The grave marker will be placed early 2014. The graveyard in meedin is well looked after and some burials took place mid to late 1800s.

The parish church records in rochfortbridge would appear to be lost, mislaid for dates prior to 1920, which is a tragedy, in my case I had to search in alternate places, the 1901/ 1911 census of Ireland was very helpful, in positioning people at that time.

Is it possible that the records prior to 1920, could be recovered to the parish house. The local priest is very helpful, and is sorry that prior records are not available to relatives and genealogists.

My maternal grandparents are also buried in meedin, fom the 1920/30 period.

The graveyard is ready to be fully recorded, anyone suggest how or who could do this, labour of love. Other communities have done so, for example tyrrellspass graveyard is well documented, but it was founded circa 1930 onwards. Local deceased prior to that date appear to have been buried in meedin, kilbeggan, castletowngeoghegan etc...

Regards

Fergus h.

Meedin Parish church is on Castlelost road just out of Rochfortbridge town.  There's a small cemetery behind it. I believe that's the one people are looking for.  I have a  picture of my great grandmother Catherine Garland and family which is inscribed  Meedin cemetery (they lived off that road).  The picture belonged to my uncle who's deceased.  Hope that helps.  By the way, if anyone could confirm that the cemetery and the Garland gravestone is there that would be much appreciated.  It's only a small plot I believe.