Help identifying townlands

Hi Mike,

I find many transcriptions errors and omissions when jumping from the irish geneaology site into the actual parish records themselves. Did you know that Boherbue, Cork has a Ruhill? Those borders shifted a bit as Munster was taking shape. And I took a look at the Tithes records since the dates that was done are near your ancestors records, and under a combined county heading of Cork/Kerry, Nohavaldaly there is a townland called Knoc Eceana. Taking it a step closer to Griffiths Valuation done later, the townland is spelled Knockyhena and is in Cork, Dunhallow.

Thanks for the suggestions Jeannie! I did take a look at the actual images, but the writing is not great so I couldn't tell if it was a transcription error. I did see the townland of Ruhill, which is a possibility, but the wrting was clear enough that I can tell the first letter is not an "R", but it could be an outright mistake.

Thanks again, Mike

Hi Mike,

Townlands are not the same as towns. They are smaller areas in parishes. If you would like to provide information on the families you are researching I could try to help. Both Urrhil and Knockeena were townlands in the Boherbue and  Rathmore area in the ninteenth century. I think Urrhil might be called Ruhill now.

Joan 

Hi Joan,

Thank you for your reply, and offer to help.

The family I am researching is Gerin (with many variatons in spelling including Geran, Guerin, Gearon, etc. especially after they moved to the US) My 2nd great grandfather was Jeremiah Geran and he was baptized on 2 Jun 1839 in Rathmore to parents John Geran and Johanna Riordan and is listed as being from Knockeena. I also found a baptism for what I belived is his sister Ellen Gerin, baptized 17 Mar 1845 also in Rathmore to parents John Gerin and Johanna Riordan  being from what has been transcribed as Knockikina. I've reviewd the actual image and can't tell if Knockikina is correct or if there is a transcription error. The writing is not great. It's possible there could be other childreen between Jeremiah and Ellen, but there is a gap in the Rathmore parish registers in the early 1840's.

I've also found two baptisms in Boherbue, and I'm trying to determine if this is the same family. I know Boherbue and Rathmore are close by. I actually visited both on a trip to Ireland last month.

The first baptism is for Patrcik Gerin, baptized 24 Mar 1834 in Boherbue to John Gerin and Johanna Riordan of Urrhil, the second is for Johanna Gerin baptized 13 Apr 1836, also in Boherbue to John Gerin and Johanna Riordan of Urrhil.

Im trying to determine the correct townlands, and what there names may have changed to over time, so that I can then figure out which civil parish they are part of to look for civil records for their descendants, and which DED they are part of so I can look for descendants in the 1901/11 census. In my limited experience what is listed in the baptisms is the townland, at least it has been for other ancestors I have from Tureencahill.

Between townlands, Baronies, RC parishes, civil parishes, registration districts and DED's, it's been very challenging for me as a non-native to figure out the many different ways to identify the same place.

Any advice you can offer would be appreciated.

Thanks Mike

Hi Mike,

From my research you are correct in your assumption that John Geran and Johanna Riordan had at least four children, Patrick, Johanna, Jeremiah and Ellen, two born in Urrhil and two in Knockeena.  From the Tithe Applotments of 1823 - 1837 a Daniel Guerin had land in Ruhel and James and John Reardon shared land with Cornelius Donoghue in Ruhil:

http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/reels/tab//004625682/00…

http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/reels/tab//004625682/00…

From Griffith's Valuation of around 1850 Daniel, Jeremiah and Patrick Gearan  shared about 80 acres of land in Urraghilmore East: http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=doNam…

I think this is the same townland with different spelling, a common occurence at that time in Ireland. The parish is Kilmeen and the barony is Duhallow(part3), Co Cork.

I think Johanna had a sister Mary who was married to Cornelius Donoghue (John and Johanna were sponsors for their son Daniel born 1840),and possibly a brother Timothy. John Gearan seems to have had at least two brothers, Patrick and Daniel (married to Honora Riordan).

By the time of the 1901 Census there was a widow Hanorah Guerin (80) living in Urrihilmore East, DED Doonasleen, with her grown up children and a Jeremiah Guerin living in Islandav, DED Boherboy with his family. I'm afraid I can't supply these links due to a server error. I have been unable to locate Knockeena but think it is likely to have been Knockeenacurrig West where a Johanna, James and Daniel Riordan had land around 1850.

Hope this helps.

Joan

Hi Joan,

Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into all of this research! This is much more than I was hoping for when simply trying to clarify the townlands.

I really appreciate your efforts, and all of this information will hopefully allow me to make some progress on this part of my family tree.

Thanks again!

Mike

Mike,

We are studying my wifes family tree. Her Guerin Family come from Ruhill Grandfatherb Jerimiah, G Grandfather Daniel, GGGrandfather  Jerimiah and from your post it would appear GGG Grandfather John. Contact me on donnie.cameron1@btinternet.com and we can exchange info.

Cheers

Donnie

Hi Donnie,

I just sent you an email.

Thanks, Mike