Seeking information prior to 1870 about Ellen Howard, born around 1834 in Clonaslee, County Laois, Ireland.

Question

Ellen Holahan (nee Howard), was born in Clonaslee, County Laois, Ireland, according to her obituary. I am unable to locate any parish records of her birth and am asking for any help in doing so. Griffiths Valuation notes Robert Howard and Michael Howard located in Kilmanman Parish, who could possibly be a relation to Ellen. I have records for her from 1870 until her death but have hit a brick wall prior to her arrival in the U.S..

Answer 1

Birth, death and marriage records in Ireland were not required until the mid 1850's, there maybe some at the church she attended, maybe?  This is what they have for the Catholic church in the area, the Church of Ireland (Anglican) and Presbyterian records are not to my knowledge online.  But as you can see these records will not fit for your Ellen but perhaps a sibling or other relative.   https://www.johngrenham.com/records/rc_church.php?county=Laois&parish=Clonaslee&churchid=698

If you know what church she attended you could just do a general search for the area and Church of Ireland or Presbyterian Records.

Good luck in your adventure.

Comments

Sorry I should have looked a little further these are the church records available for the area, however alot of them are not on line, unless you can find where someone has copied information from them.  

https://www.johngrenham.com/records/church.php?civilparishid=1465&civilparish=Kilmanman&search_type=full

---

Thank you!

Answer 2

Clonaslee records are often recorded in the Rosenallis records. I have never quite worked out whether the two parishes were combined prior to the commencement of the CLonaslee register in 1849, but have found several records prior to 1849 at Rosenallis that should be at CLonaslee. There is a baptism of Ellen Howard to Patrick & Catherine 4/9/1826. Ellen wouldnt be the first Irish migrant to shave a few years off her age when she left home. See Parish register here, John

Comments

Thank you, I'll expand my search to include records fro Rosenallis.