Early Glenmore Baptismal Records

After Catholic Emancipation in 1829 the Irish Catholic Church began to re-organise its parish structures to accommodate the increased population. The majority of Irish Catholic Parish registers date from circa 1829 (Fiona Fitzsimons, “Kindred Lines: Catholic Parish Registers,” History of Ireland (March/April 2015) p. 21). Although some city and town parish registers commenced well before 1829 most rural parishes do not. Luckily, Glenmore baptismal records commence in 1766.

The National Library of Ireland has digitalized the old parish records of Ireland. Because Glenmore was part of the Slieverue parish until 1846, the earliest records relating to Glenmore are found in the Slieverue records. The current St. James’s Church in Glenmore Village was built in 1813, but there was a church in the Village before that time and there were several churches in townlands across what would eventually become Glenmore Parish. See, our post of 16 November 2019 for a brief history of early Glenmore churches. 

The combined Slieverue/Glenmore parish registers commenced in 1766 primarily due to the efforts of Fr. Stephen Lower (c. 1727-1799). See our post of 11 November 2020 regarding Fr. Lower who served the combined parish for over 30 years. Interestingly he chose to be buried in Kilmakevoge Church ruins (also known locally as Kilivory) which four decades later was in the separated and newly formed Glenmore Parish.

Digitalized Combined Parish Records

The National Library of Ireland has digitalized the early Catholic Parish Records up to about 1880. Only one set of records is found for the separate Glenmore Parish (Microfilm 05022/03) with baptismal records from 28 March 1831 to 11 December 1880. Marriage records span 11 January 1831 to 7 June 1883).

The Glenmore related records prior to 1831 can be found in the combined parish records. Today, we are going to focus on the first three years of Baptismal records found in Microfilm 0503101. To view the digitalized register click here.

The First Recorded Baptisms (Microfilm 05031/01)

The handwriting of 1766 is not too difficult for most entries in this earliest register. Unfortunately, several of the entries over the past 257 years have become obscured due to the register suffering damage.

There are some unusual names in these early records. For example, Valentine Forrestall, the son of Thomas Forrestall and Catherin Murphy was the 14^th child recorded on the 26^th(?) of December 1766. Spellings of names and places in the earliest parish register are inconsistent.  Other spellings are consistent, but are wrong by today’s standards. For example, the word “at” is consistently spelled “att.”

Godparents or sponsors are referred to as “Gossips” in these earliest records.  “The word gossip derives from god-sib; god-sibling; or relative of God and originally referred to godparents,” (Clodagh Tait (2003) “Safely Delivered: Childbirth, Gossip-feasts and Churching in Ireland c. 1530-1690,” 30(1) Irish Economic & Social History, p. 17). In some entries witnesses are also recorded.

Most of the records where a place of residence is recorded reflect “baptized at Kilmakevoge,” because a priest after a birth would be summoned to the house. Danny Dowling (1927-2021) stated that in times past babies were baptized as soon as possible at home because of the high infant mortality and the belief that only baptized Catholics could enter heaven. It was believed generally that the souls of unbaptized infants went to limbo. Stillborn babies, or infants that died before baptism, were not buried in church yards. As late as the early 20^th century the stillborn and unbaptized infants often were buried near the family home in ditches or little corners of fields called killeens. There are old killeens still found around Glenmore.

Illegitimates, Foundling & Class

Social problems are also reflected in this register. The sixth baptism which took place on the 7^th of December 1766 is the first child recorded as being born out of wedlock. “Baptized Edmond Maher; son to John Maher & J? Houlehan, Illegitimate: Gossips; William H?, Catherine Row?” The rest of the entry is obscured by what appears to be ink blotches.

Five baptisms were identified in the 26 months from November 1866 to 31 December 1868 as involving children born out of wedlock. This represents approximately 1.6% of the infants baptized. See, Entry 48 for “Patrick Butler; son of Thomas Butler & Catherine Raiheen?, illegitmate.” See also, Entry 191 on the 18^th of Feb. 1768 at “Ballincrea, [Slieverue] of Edmond Daulton, son to John Daulton & Mary Kelly, illegitimate. Gossips: John Macjey and Ellener Conners. Witness: John Maher & Thomas Conners.”

Entry 163 on the 15^th of November 1767 reflects an abandoned infant. A lot of detail is provided regarding the circumstances.  “Baptized Martin Knox who was left on y. 13^th at John Hallagans of Drumdowney and found on y. same morning about ten of y. clock, parents not known; Gossips: Michael Nowlan & Nancy White. Witnesses: John Hallegan?; Thomas Cook, James Nowlan & Andrew Shea.

Also reflected are two examples of the upper class being recorded differently. Until the end of 1768 only two entries record honorifics such as Mr., Mrs., Master or Miss.  For example, Entry 229, 7^th of May 1768 provides, “Baptized att Ballefacy (sic), Richard Welsh, son of James Welsh & Bridgit (sic) Flemmings, of lawful wedlock. Gossips: Master Thomas Welsh & Mrs Nancy Welsh. Witness:  Mr. Nicholas Flemming & Mary Inright.”

Likewise, Entry 247, on the 20^th of June 1768 records the following for two of the Strange family of Aylwardstown House. “Baptized att Glinmore (sic), Bridgit Coady, daughter to Richard Coady & Ellener O’Sullivan of lawfull wedlock.  Gossips: Mr. Peter Strange Jun. & Miss Ally Strange. Witness: Michael O’Sullivan & John O’Sullivan.”

Chart: 1766-1768 Entries

1766 & 1767 Baptisms

The first baptism recorded in the register occurred on the 26^th of November 1766. “Baptized by ? Rev. F. Hynes; Mary White; daughter to James White and Mary Walsh; of lawful matrimony. Gossips: Patrick Lahy & Mary Cullin.”

The second baptism recorded was the following day and is of historical interest because it is the first record where Glenmore appears and was written by Fr. Lower. In fact, it appears from the handwriting that Fr. Lower recorded all of the baptisms on the page. “Baptized by me, Stephen Lower, P. Priest of Glanmore, Martin Karny; son to Murtough Karny & Joane Kenedy of lawful wedlock. Gossips: Robert Joyce & Bridget Ryan.”

Unfortunately, without townlands recorded it is difficult to determine how many of the baptisms recorded in 1766 and 1767 were performed in townlands which would later form the Parish of Glenmore.

In October 1767 starting with entry 148 townlands are infrequently recorded. From the handwriting it appears to vary from priest to priest whether it is recorded.  The first such entry was for Anistice Nowlan on 1 October 1767. “Baptized att (sic) Haggard; Anistice Nowlan, daughter of Richard Nowlan & Mary Houlihan of lawfull (sic) wedlock. Gossips: Lewis O’ Ryan & Mary Aylward. Witness:  Mary Murphy.” 

1768 Baptisms

From February 1768 most entries record the place of the baptism.  In total 50 baptisms were identified from the records as occurring in Glenmore. There may be more because some entries are impossible to read due to damage to the register. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the 1768 identified Glenmore baptisms is the number of twins recorded. Three sets of twins were baptized in 1768. Entry 208 (twin girls), 212 (boy & girl) and 269 (twin girls).

For a complete list of the 50 identified Glenmore baptisms in 1768 visit our Roots page by clicking here.

Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.

The featured drawing above is entited “The Baptism of Virginia Dare” courtesy of the New York Public Library. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Baptism of Virginia Dare.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-fba8-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh