Morris family of Ennis, circa 1815

[kthomps5]

I am seeking historical records for, or family connections to, Thomas Morris, born about 1815 in Clareabbey (Parish), Ballybeg (Townland), Islands (Barony), Ennis (Poor-Law). He emigrated to the United States (via Quebec) sometime between 1832 and 1845, and was followed by his brother William in 1849 (also via Quebec). His father's name was John, mother's name unknown. The family was Roman Catholic.

Thomas was my great-great grandfather. From an inscription in a copy of Virgil that was passed down in the family, I know that he was first a student and then a tutor at a Ballybeg hedge school. He was a miller in Janesville, Wisconsin, for most of his life in the States.

From what I can gather, church or civil records of his birth may be hard to come by. I'm hoping that other members of the family may have stayed in the area, and will recognize the names and make contact.

Thank you for your time. Any information or advice on where to search would be welcome.

K.C. Thompson
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

[Paddy Casey]

Try browsing/searching the Clare County Library site at http://www.clarelibrary.ie

For example, there was a Morris family in Clareabbey in 1901 (see http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclar ... eg31_3.htm ), so there may be Morrises around there today.

There are numerous Morrises in the Index to Biographical Notices 1935-1985 at http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclar ... ionm11.htm

And so it goes on. Type "Morris" into the Library search facility and take it from there.

Also, there are 14 Morrises in the Clare phonebook at http://www.eircomphonebook.ie/search/clare/morris.html Try calling a few of them and see whether they could be "yours".

Paddy