This year I am taking part in
Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks blogging prompts.
The theme for Week 18 (April 29-May 5):
Road Trip.
For this week's theme, I have decided to take an unexpected approach by writing about a virtual road trip, using Google Maps and Google Streetview. I have chosen to write about my 3 x great grandfather
Matthew Mulhall.
Matthew Mulhall was born about 1811.
1 He married
Margaret Coghlan, but I have not yet located a record of their marriage.
Matthew and Margaret had the following known children:
All (except maybe Margaret whose baptism I have not yet found) were baptised in the
Catholic parish of Tubberclaire (also known as Kilkenny West), Westmeath, Ireland.
Matthew Mulhall was listed in the 1854
Griffith's Primary Valuation in the townland of
Lissakillen South, civil parish of
Bunown. Matthew Mulhall's tenements (2A and 2B) were leased from
William Henry Magan M.P. 2A was described as land of 5 acres, 2 roods and 25 perches, with a rateable annual valuation of £1 10s. 2B was described as house, offices and land, 9 acres and 5 perches, with a rateable annual valuation of £5 10s for the land and £1 for the buildings.
2
The Griffith's Valuation records on the
Ask About Ireland site feature historical maps overlayed on modern maps and satellite images. Using this feature I can see where Matthew Mulhall's tenements (2A and 2B) were located.
I created the map above using
Google My Maps. It shows the basic outline of Matthew Mulhall's land.
The Griffith's Valuations records and corresponding maps at
Ask About Ireland allowed me to explore who Matthew's nearest neighbours were.
Matthew's neighbours to the south were William Conlon and Edward Conlon. Perhaps relatives of Matthew? A Margaret Mulhall married a William Conlan in Tubberclaire parish in 1836.
3
Across the lane to the east lived James Cormick.
To the west was bog land held by William Henry Magan M.P.
To the north was the townland of
Lissakillen North.
Other surnames of those who leased land in the townland of Lissakillen South included Early, Killion and Hannan.
2
I then decided to explore the area using Google Streetview.
Looking north across what was Matthew Mulhall's tenement at the time of Griffith's Primary Valuation in 1854.
Looking south-west across what was Matthew Mulhall's tenement at the time of Griffith's Primary Valuation in 1854.
While on my virtual road trip I was particularly interested to find this old building on what would have been Matthew Mulhall's tenement in 1854. Looking south.
Matthew Mulhall died on 20 August 1886 at Liss, Westmeath, Ireland. His death certificate described him as a cottier, a widower of 75 years of age. The cause of his death was 'natural decay'. His son Matthew (M. Mulhall) was the informant listed on the death certificate.
1References
- Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, "Civil Records," database with images, IrishGenealogy.ie (https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/ : accessed 4 May 2019), image, death registration of Mathew Mulhall (20 August 1886), citing Group Registration ID 6783336; registration filed 28 Septmber 1886 by E. Hunch[?], Registrar, in Glasson Registration District, Union of Athlone, County of Westmeath, certified a true copy 18 October 1886 by ? Vaughan, Superintendent Registrar, folio 11, “first page,” stamped no. 04786180, entry 40.
- Richard Griffith, General Valuation of Rateable Property in Ireland...Union of Athlone...County of Westmeath (...1854),
15, for Matthew Mulhall, occupier, 2a and 2b, Lissakillen South (townland), Bunown (parish);
"Griffith's Valuation", imaged, Ask About Ireland (http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/ : accessed 4 May 2019); citing OMS Services Ltd, Eneclann Ltd and the National Library of Ireland.
- "Marriage Records for Co. Westmeath," database, RootsIreland.ie (http://westmeath.rootsireland.ie/ : accessed 15 September 2014), entry for William Conlan and Margaret Mulhall, married 22 July 1836, Tubberclaire parish; citing Dún na Sí Heritage Centre, Moate, Ireland.
