Huguenot & Palatine Names in Ireland
These names are not common, but they are certainly interesting!
The people who brought them arrived in Ireland at a time when there was religious persecution of Protestants in Continental Europe, primarily at the hands of the Catholic monarchy of France.
Huge numbers of Protestants fled regions of France and Germany at this time, most to England where there was a sympathetic Protestant king, but a number to Ireland, where they were granted lands by the ruling English.
In Merrion Row in Dublin, close to the Shelbourne Hotel on St Stephan’s Green, is a surviving Huguenot graveyard, where more than 200 different surnames are recorded on headstones, giving an indication of just how large the community was at one time. Almost none of those names are now found in Ireland.
Aside: It’s spelled ‘Hughenot’ in the cemetery name, which I don’t believe is correct – as far as I’m aware that is a family name, not the name for the group of people in question. Either some stone mason messed up or it’s a variant that was in use in the past.
Huguenot Family Names in Ireland
In the 17th and 18th centuries French Calvinist Protestants were persecuted and alienated by a Catholic monarchy, causing as many as 500,000 of them to flee the country.
A small number of them, almost all from around the French city of La Rochelle, ended up in Ireland, settling in small communities in Portarlington, Youghal, Waterford, Cork, Lisburn, Dublin and perhaps most famously in Portarlington in Co Laois.
By 1700 there were more than 500 French people living in Portarlington on land which had been granted to the Marquis de Ruvigny by King William.
Several places in Ireland bear the trace of the Huguenot presence still in street names, such as D’Olier St in Dublin, and buildings, such as the French Church (left) in Portarlington. The cemetery adjoining the church has many headstone bearing French names and the Hugenot names Blanc, Champ and Cobbe are still quite common in the area.
Many of those who fled France returned when things became safer, but others stayed and they are the original bearers of other Hugenot names still found today in Ireland such as Guerin, Millet, Trench and Deverell. These names are mostly still found in the areas in which their ancestors settled hundreds of years ago.
The Influence of the Huguenots on Ireland
While the Huguenots were not great in number, they were very important in the history of Ireland, and in particular in the development of the textile industry here. It was they who brought knowledge of linen manufacture and established the production of linen, silk and poplin here for the first time. The world renowned Irish Linen owes its existance to these long ago immigrants from France.
Others were involved in wine and brandy imports, presumably using their contacts in France to set up trading links. Milling was also associated with the Hugenot communities. They were very successful business people, with their Calvinist work ethic and relatively high levels of education equipping them well to prosper at a time when Dublin was growing rapidly and becoming a wealthy city.
Perhaps the most famous Irish Hugenot was Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, a writer of Gothic mysteries which were bestsellers in Victorian times.
His most remembered books are “Uncle Silas” and “Through a Glass Darkly”, which still attract some readers to-day though in general time has not been kind to his reputation.
Palatine Family Names in Ireland
Around the same time the French also invaded the Palatinate area of Germany, and drove its Lutheran population out.
In the early 1700′s about 3,000 of them ended up in Ireland, essentially as refugees under the protection of English landlords, and each of them was allocated eight acres of land at a nominal rent of five shillings per acre and leases of “three lives”. They were also given a not inconsiderable grant of 40 shillings a year for their first seven years in residence.
At the time Irish tenants were paying rents of thirty five shillings per acre and had little or no right of tenure, so the newcomers were not sympathetically received by all of the local population. In fact many of them left within a couple of years, hounded out by hostile neighbours, and returned to Germany.
Most of the Palatine families settled in Co Limerick, notably around Rathkeale and Adare, with smaller numbers in Kerry and Clare and other counties. An area of Co Carlow is still to-day called Palatine, often a source of bemusement to those who come across it, though there are no Palatine surnames now found in the area.
It is estimated that to-day only around 500 or so people living in Ireland can claim a Palatine origin, but some names which survive from this time include Fizelle, Fyffe, Ruttle, Glazier, Shouldice and Switzer. Benner is one that many visitors to Ireland will have seen – Benner’s is a long established and popular Dingle hotel.
Unlike the Hugenots, the Palatine settlers were farming people, they mostly stayed on the land and for the most part their descendents living in Ireland to-day are still farmers.
The Irish Palatine Association are very active in researching and preserving the history of Ireland’s Palatine families.
Watching the credits at the end of a Celtic music video, I noticed the name Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich. I am wondering whether this could be the origin of the Beagley surname, which is often said to be Irish. Moreover somebody had suggested to my late mother that there could be a Huguenot connection.
I’m chasing the Medlars who tell me they were Palatines.
My crowd settled in Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny (incl Castlewarren/Boula).
Possible variations: Middler, Midler, Modler?
My family name is Hollinger but they all came to Canada from Ireland. I am now becoming convinced that they were Palatine because of the surname and presence of many Hollingers in Germany.
You could very well be correct. If so, it’s possible they were not very long in Ireland and finding records could be tricky. Your best port of call for information may be the Irish Palatine Association.
My parents were married by Rev.Hollinger. If you would like any more information please get in touch.
I am descended from Arnold and Sherritt families from Newtown Gore, a village in Carrigallen Parish in Leitrim. They were Protestants, probably Church of Ireland but there was a Methodist Church in the village so that is a possibility as well.
There was a passed down story that they may have been Hughenots and the name was Arnaux at one time. Another story was that they were “Welsh” and arrived with Oliver Cromwell’s army. Most of the related families moved to Australia and Canada between 1840 and 1860. Some descendants are still around Newtwon Gore. The Arnolds were long the village blacksmiths and the Sherritts at one time were “wheelwrights” in nearby Carrigallen village.
Would anyone know if they may have been a Palatine family originally? Any other suggestions as to their origin?
Thank you, Geoff. S.
I just found this post by accident and I recall talking with you years ago. I have not done any family research for awhile since I got my Irish passport. I just wondered if you had more info to share. My grandfather was Roland Sherreitt.
Dear Geoffrey,
I am descended from Rebecca Arnold and William Calder. I was wondering if you had ever gotten any more info on the name origin? I live in the UK and would like to offer my help. I have a friend in the Huguenot Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Do you think they might be of some help?
Kindly,
Dawn Barlow
My great-grandfather William Pauls was born in Limerick in the 1840′s – and left for Liverpool in the 1860′s with his children William and Robert - I’ve always believed they were of Palatine German extraction – am I correct?
I am researching the name Norris in Ireland. It may be a corrutption on Norrissee .
I am descende from a Norris family who seemed to have settled inWindgap and Callan in South Killkenny ,they are cetainly in those districts from the early 19th century,I am equally interested in their origins and would be pleased to share any further info.
Regards Jim
Headstones in Callan cemetery;
Bridget Norris; Seskin
30/3/1963 (66)
husband-Patrick
2/1/1990 (91)
—
erected by Patrick Tyrrell (Ballylarkin) in memory of
Hanoria Tyrrell (nee Green;
12/4/1946
his wife-Mary Tyrrell (nee Ronan)
29/3/1952
Patrick Tyrrell
6/8/1975
daughter-in-law-Connie Tyrrell (nee Norris)
Sept 1989
=========
Jack
Researching the name Hennebry, I believe it is an adaption of de Hindeberg/ von Hindenberg. I believe the name arrived in Ireland from Germany circa 1709. If anyone can help or help with any info it would be greatly appreciated. roryhennebry@yahoo.co.uk
I really don’t know anything about that name, but I’ll try to find out something for you. Here’s a start: Last week I changed a flat tyre at Hennebry’s Cross, which is a place just outside Kilkenny and I know there are Hennebys in Waterford, so that’s probably the general area you need to look in.
There is a house located at Hennebry’s Cross still occupied by the Hennebry family. They have been there since at least the early-mid 19th century.
Thomastown cemetery Kilkenny
Kate Heneberry; Castlegannon
5/6/1930
James Heneberry;
19/4/1933
Alice Heneberry; (nee Bookle)
29/11/1943 (46)
Patrick Carroll; Boher
25/1/1966 (78)
Ellen Carroll (nee Heneberry)
1/3/1974 (86)
Laurence Heneberry
21/5/1975 (78)
=========
Jack
Alice Heneberry and Laurence Heneberry were my grandparents. My father was James Heneberry. He died in 2004. He has one sister now living in Thomastown area.
The name Ballesty occurs in Co Westmeath. Does anyone know anything of the origin of that name? They were mainly farmers.
My name is Davis, but recently it has come to light that although we thought there was an English Connection; but now it has come to light that the name was simplified down to Davis, from a Hugunot name from Paris, there is a some sort of sign etc in the Cabbage Patch area of the liberties – would you know anything of this? I can find nothing……..
always wondered if there was any significance in the cobbe with an e is this due to its french origins thanks for great insight intomy name and origins fasinating
Hi,
Cobbe is a Flemish surname, from Belgium. It comes from Jacob.
Regards,
Inès Stiénon.
Just for interest of those seaching names of families, Irish Civil Registrations only began in 1864, but there are lots of details for families and may be a starting position re, county and family names.
http://www.pilot.familysearch.org
Whilst researching the family tree in Ireland we came across the unusual name of ‘Le Bohme’. Was rather confused how they came to be there but this could provide the answer!
I have wondered if my surname is of french origin, my GGGrandfather was born in Co Laios in the 19th Century but we don’t know which district. His name was Daniel Casson he married Ann Davis. Due to the problem of not knowing the parish he was born makes it hard to trace his father etc. Whenever I try to trace Cassons in Ireland I either find Cassin and very little on our spelling. I would love to hear from any Cassons still existing anywhere in the county as we can compare notes
Researching Terrett Territt Terrott of Portarlington. Could this name have roots in the Huegenot community ?
Thanks for any information.
Chuck
Hello Charles, I descend from Patrick Terrett/Territt and Maria Dunne, and their son Patrick (who was baptised in Portarlington 13 May 1832). I have details of 7 Terrett families living and having children in the Portarlington area at that time. In the Register, I wondered whether Bernard Terrisse (or Terrette) [double ss, and double tt when written can look alike], married in 1698 to Francoise Douat, who had children baptised in 1700 and 1701, at Portarlington. These could be the ancestors of the Portarlington Terretts???????. I’d love to hear from you. Regards Allan Terrett.
Hello Allan
Have worked for years on Terrett/Territt family. It appears that they are descended from the deTerrot family of French Reformed Church at St Patrick’s Dublin. Can’t make the final link. Contact me at cwhydejr@gmail.com. I had forgotton all about this site. Haven’t checked it for two years.
While the Huguenots were driven out of France by religious persecution, the Palatines left largely because of famine caused by war. In fact they were mixed in terms of religion and Catholic palatines lived with their Protestant palatine neighbors. They largely ended up in Ireland by accident, many coming on the promise that they were going to be resettled in America.
There is a large cluster in Laois, where I’m from. Names in that group include Baker, Cole, Miller, Bruner, Burns, Switzer, Hubens, etc.
My Caldbeck contacts in County Laois are agreed that the Caldbeck family was originally German, and so perhaps Palatines. My Caldbeck ancestors emigrated from the Mountrath area of the old Queen’s County c. 1825, to join the Valcartier settlement which included Bethels and Switzers. Do you have knowledge that the Caldbecks were Palatines?
i im researching bakers of adare & ballingrane in co.limerick which were palantines you wouldnt happen to be related robert
Phillip Baker, my gt gt grandfather was borin about 1805 in the parish of Adair, county Limerick and joined the 21 Regiment in Limerick. He was ninteen and a labourer. Eventually served in Tasmania and Western Australia and discharged in WA in 1840.. Has anyone found him in a family in Adare?
Robert! Are u based in limerick as my mam s side was baker and we are directly connected to the palatine’s in limerick
We came over in 1709′ the first guy was called Michael Becker! He came over with his wife! He had a daughter and son with him! Was a vine maker
I have be looking for info on my #5 g/gf William Peter Young. B1749 Co. Limerick. Lived for a time in Glenosheen. Idid get some info on the family from William Steepe who was from the Palatine to and he said my Peter was a Hughenot. I haven’t much on . I found his bapt. in St. Marys in Limerick. Next I may have found him in NJ 1766? Help!
William (Billy) Steepe and wife Nellie Young passed in 2004 Glenosheen!
Roland Young
Please, don’t forget the Hoffmans who lived in Kerry. I know they were Palatinates as my mother was born in Kerry and knew the family stories.
Thank you
Deirdre Gregory nee MC Loghry
Rerearching my great grandmother’s family name of Perryman. There was a cluster of families in north Kerry at one time. They were settlers but am getting conflicting information as it would seem from online research that they were English settlers yet within my father’s generation there are mentions of Germans and Palatines but no factual information or indeed any evidence/basis to go on. Would appreciate if someone could make any suggestions or provide leads.
Thank you.
Helen
i am trying to trace the macann family that came to new zealand from the irish huguenots in 1887 to the south island of new zealand
my greatgrandmother Margaret McCann born 1857 probably Lurgan Armagh NI. Her father James McCann. Margaret died in Connecticut in 1925.
Looking for info on the Mick Family. Left Limerick in 1848 for Canada. Any realatives left?
My Mother was a Switzer from County Tipperary and therefore a Palatine, there is an Irish Palatine Association – email info@itishpalatines.org. They will be able to give information.
There is also an Irish Huguenot Association in Dublin. Ireland as I have a friend who is a member. I do not know their email address. I know they have lots of information about the ‘Irish’ Huguenot.
I hope this will be of help to all.
Best wishes
Muriel Parke.
Does anyone know anything about the DURR last name? Some of my distant cousins believe that these folks came to the County Roscommon area of Ireland from the Palatinates . . . thanks!
I don’t know anything about the name, but I do know some Durrs, from Roscommon! Rosemary Durr, now based in Kilkenny, makes the most wonderful pottery.
Hi Kathy, my great great great grandfather came to England from Roscommon but was hanged for murder in Manchester in 1870, I am busy trying to track his family down and have some good leads now. The name is German and was brought over with the Palatine germans who were refuges back in the 1700s. It comes from Bavaria and means dry and barren. Best regards Steve Durr.
Anyone have any information on the Ryneharts/Rynharts/Rhyneharts from Co.Wexford?
Hi my ancestors’ family name was Reynard and they were French Huruenots, the earliest one I can find records for is a James Reynard born abt 1790. He lived in Castlebellingham, Louth. There appear to be many variations of the spelling of the name but I have been unable to find earlier records.
Hello. I understand that the Reynards may have been Palatines rather than Huguenots. There was a Francis Reynard of County Louth in 1756 and James Reynard was living there in 1845. One of his sons was also called Francis.
Have you considered looking at the name Rhinehardt as the records of the time all depended on who could read and write and many names had their spelling slightly changed. One I came acress recently was Quinnane which was in fact the Irish name Cuinnane, exactly the same sound.
PS to above…. There was a number of Palatine families (my own included) that settled in and around Gory, Co Wexford ..most on the estate of Able Ram, a landlord in the area
Claiomh,
I have a fair amount of information, what do you require?
Brian Rhynehart
Canberra, Australia.
Hi Brian,
Would love to share Rynhart info with you, I have had access to Church records dating back to 1700′s.
Regards Doreen Rynhart of the Wexford branch.
I do have some info on the Rynehart family tree….definitely of Palatine origin. Feel free to e mail me for more…we are probably related! I live in Canada, but my parents are from Ireland.
Hello Claiomh
I am doing a family tree on my Irish family some of who spelled their surname your way..I have seen church records for my great grandfather Thomas Rynehart ,an iromonger in 1867.
Hello Claiomh
I am doing a family tree on my Irish family some of who spelled their surname your way..I have seen church records for my great grandfather Thomas Rynehart ,an iromonger in 1867.
My maternal gt. grandfather was named Michael Genoy born in Roscommon Ireland around 1860. Occasionally I will come across a similar name eg Patrick Ginnoy in Roscommon but whenever I try to research Genoy I come to a dead end. I suspect that the name may be a French Huguenot surname because it is not common at all in Ireland. When he emigrated to NY he registered himself with the spelling above. It is interesting because after he married and had children they moved to New Rochelle, NY which was founded by French Huguenots. If anyone has heard of this name in Roscommon Ireland I would love to hear from you.
There is a possibility that Genoy is a mangled version of Kenoy, a name present today in Roscommon/Leitrim Border area.
i havebeen researching the name keenoy/kenoy,i think maybe the name genoy and kenoy are the same
My children’s father’s surname is Bonney, anecdotally, his family were said to hale originally from Waterford in Ireland and had hughenot connections,although they were from Liverpool and were catholic, presumably immigrant to Liverpool in the early last century. I think they were originally named Bonnet and I recall Isle de re being mentioned. Anyone any ideas on this?
I am researching the Richard Bonney family for a friend of mine. Have you gotten any additional information on them as being the original name BONNET and French Huguenot. Richard Bonney married Mary Dauge, who father was a French Huguenot.
Thanks so much,
Kathy
chatykathy@verizon.net
Hi, I am trying to trace my grandfathers lineage Charles Stafford Carter died 1937 county Down?- was he related to Thomas Carter 1690-1753? I cant seem to find anything before possibly French Huguenots previously De Cartier or Cartier? Help Nick Carter( South Africa)
Trying to research the surname Concar which I have only found in Galway wonder if it had any French connections?
This sounds like an anglicized version of the Irish name Conchúir, which is pronounced in s similar way, though more like konkur. Conchúir or O’Chonchúir is most often Connor or O’Connor in English, and I’d suspect that Concar and O’Connor are actually the same name. The Galway O’Connors are descendants of Conchobhar, who was king of Connacht.
Few Galway names would have a French or Norman origin – the Normans never really made it over that far. So whatever its origin it is much more likely to be a Gaelic name.
My ancestor John Balmer came from County Down. He was Church of Ireland. Is Balmer a palantine name?
I do not have all of the pertinent information at hand but a few years ago I did work for my father’s wife who had an ancestor in New York named Mary Balmer. She was from the Armagh area of Northern Ireland. Later I found a ? Balmier Huguenot who settled in a French conclave. (I believe it was Lisburn).
Chuck
From what I have found on the Internet Solomon (Soloman, Salomon)Balmier was from Uzes, Languegoc, France born about 1659. In 1687 he was a member of the Church of Savoy in London and in 1689 was a member of a Hugeunot Regiment. Later he was in Lisburn. You might want to check out this link:
http://lisburn.com/books/huguenots/huguenots_5.html
My great great grandfather was a William Miller who according to his army records was born about 1803 in Nantinan. He enlisted with the Irish Rifle Brigade in Rathkeale. On discharge he came to New Zealand with his wife Sarah and two children on the ship the “Ann” as a N Z Fencible. in 1847. I can find no records of him or his family at all in Ireland. Can any one help me at all. My father always used to say we were called Von Mueller a way back. Thanks
I presume you know that there is an area called Nantinan near Rathkeale in Co. Limerick. there were Millers in that area who were Palatines. There is a Palatine Museum in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, Ireland that might be able to help you.
Breda ryan
Reply for Virginia Lornie,
Hi Virginia, There were many Miller families of Palatine origin in or around Rathkeale. Try your library for a book called “People make places” the story of the Irish Palatines, by Patrick J. O’Connor. Have you tried the Church of Ireland or Methodist records for that area??. The people at the Palatine Centre in Rathkeale are most helpful, try their website. Maybe you have found a lot of information by now. Good luck with the search, from a very wet Ireland !!. Gloria.
I am researching the name of Hannett in and around the Ardglass area. Can anyone help?
The surname Nead appears to be pretty rare in Ireland. Because of this, I had always thought that the name Nead may have been one of the German Palatinate names that settled in Ireland in the 1700′s. Niedt families from the same region of Germany settled in Pennslyvania and Maryland around the same time and changed their name to Nead. When doing other searches, the Nead surname seems to be overwhelmingly English.
Those records for Irish Neads that do exist are generally in the Roscommon, Meath, West Meath areas. Would anyone have any information that could help me out?
When my father,Jeremiah Cruite,emigrated to the USA inthe early 20th century from Abbeleix he changed the spelling of his name to Cruitt. Throughout my life people are surprised to hear of my Irish ancestry because “Cruitt is not an Irish name” I am also puzzled by the apparent uniqueness of the name and its origins. I have heard that it may be of Huguenot origins because there was a significant emigration of Huguenots to Port Arlington,a town near Abbyleix. I have searched through Huguenot surname lists on the internet but to no avail.Do you have any suggestions on how and where I might continue my search? Thank you very much. Ray Cruitt PS. My searches have been for the original spelling of Cruite
There is one huguenot who became an important figure in Irish history and his name is Henri de Massue, 2nd Marquis de Ruvigny (he was also known by this name) and Earl of Galway
http://en.wikpedia.org/wiki/Henri_de_Massue_Earl_of_Galway
My maternal grandmother’s maiden name was Bonynge.In the Huguenot records of the French church of Portarlington there are names that ,when pronounced in French,sound about the same,e.g.Bonin and Bonnin,Her family were from Queen’s County.My mother and her brother said the Bonynges are of Huguenot descent.Can anyone verify that?
Trevor Rynhart
Hello Trevor,
I wonder if you have and ANne from Cavan who married Thomas Rynehart in your tree? I have a Thomas Rynehart born around 1867. He was my grandfathers brother, and his father was Joseph who was a sergeant in the RIC. Patricia Rynehart.
Hi,
Needing to find a William Switer Born. abt 1805 who had a son Peter, B 1820s. Peter enlisted in the Bengal artillery at Limmerick 1852 and married a Elizabeth Ruffle at little warley in essex
The name Sausse/Sause/Sauce would seem to be of Huegenot origin They were farmers around Saucetown.in South Tipperary as well as merchants and bankers in Carrick-on-Suir in the 18th and early 19th century. They vanished from Carrick when Richard Sausse left with his family for Toulouse in 1827 (his bank had crashed). He was calling himself “de lla Saussey”in France. The trouble with the Huegenot origin theory is that the Carrick family were all Catholics. Assimillation through intermarriage with the Majority Religion possibly ?Anybody know about this name ?
Sausse jan 2013
i have found out that my great grandfather Richard Sausse born 1879 left Dualla co tip
and came to yorkshire as a coal hewer he had in the 1911 census two sons James and Benjamin
he lived in South Elmsall near Pontefract west yorkyshire
my grandmother was mary ann Sausse known as Nancy
hope this helps
Lena
Wonder if anyone has any info on the Surname Daniel the name is listed as Huguenot and is among the non-conformists in Lucy’s Lane and St. Peters.
I am looking for the origins, believed to be French, of the surname Jelly / Jelley / Jellie / Gelly / Gelley / Gelee.
Anyone know of any positive source?
Hi there
im researching the Jelley family from Northants. Ive also heard the same. I recently attended the who do you think you are live show and had a name search done on Jelley, Jelly And Gellie through the Huguenot society, The Jelly name pulled up details in 3 volumes they hold. And the Gellie name pulled up 1 volume, alas didnt pay for futher searches as i didnt take all of my paperwork with me. These volumes linked to threadneedle street london (nothing on the Jelley name)
http://www.huguenotsociety.org.uk/publications is the website they game me
I need to find my Young’s that were in Glenosheen Co. Limerick.
There was John Peter Young /Jim Peter and Charley Peter . They were in Rathskeal and moved to the Oliver estate. They were from the Palatine and were Huguenot. The house was there in 1940 but was gone by 2003. I have pictures and have been there. I get nothing from the Palatine Ass.
Help
Roland Young
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can you tell me if peters is a palatine name my fathers family came from newcastle. co. down
and we heard they came from co. louth
My maternal grandmother Teresa Doupe Roycraft insisted her roots were Huguenot, in spite of coming from the Rathkeale area of Co Limerick- which is clearly of Palatine origin. The Doupes were from the Rhine valley right on the German-French border in present day Germany. The Roycrofts were French, but my grandfather changed his name to Roycraft when he immigrated to NYC in the early 20th century.
I am doing my family tree and have been told we came from Germany. I do not know where in Germany and there could be several spellings of our name which is HAYDEN
I do know some of the ancestors are from Wexford and Glencullen, Steaside Co Dublin with christian names being Alexander. Patrick, Mary, Jane, Jack James, Hugh, Bernard Bridget.
If any one has any leads I would appreciate it.
Regards
Margaret Hayden
My gt gt grandfather was Phillip Baker born in the parish of Adair. He joined the 21st regiment in Limerick and eventually ended up in Western Australia where he took discharge in 1840. He joined at nineteen years and was a labourer. Does anyone know of this family in the Adair Parish? Thank you, Janet.
hello to all.
i have been doing my family tree for near 20yrs i have ran out of people to ask questions as most of which have past on it is said that my family are Huguenots and had adopted the name Cooper from Tonnelier, my great great great grandparents, the only records i have found grandfather was John Cooper a Cabinet maker and so was all his family his wifes maiden name was Mary Babington who was weavers all were living in Dublin born in the early 1800s, how can i go beyond that to find out where i am actually from if i cannot find records every one wants to charge the earth for no real evidance or facts just more stories and more costs. Is there anyone who could be helpful.
I am the grand daughter of James and Jane Foy who lived at 75 or 15 Lawrence St. in Belfast and came to Canada in 1909 – 10 ish. Anyone with more information They were Protestant and I wondered if they were Huguenot? jcartworks12@gmail.com
I am trying to trace thr origin of the surname linden in Ireland, is there a palatine link?