Leitrim-Roscommon

I am trying to find out more about my ancestors in Ireland. The surname is LLOYD and I believe they were landowners in Roscommon. But I don't really know what to do next. All I know is that my great-great-grandfather, Robert Jones Sanderson LLOYD was born in Ireland circa 1838 and married in Homerton, London, UK in 1863 to Sarah Margaret BARBER (also born in Ireland). His rank is stated as 'Gentleman'. His father is stated as being Robert Jones LLOYD with the occupation 'physician'. And that's all I definitely know.

Several internet searches have led me to some possible Robert LLOYDs from Roscommon. One Robert Jones LLOYD was the father of Anne Frances LLOYD who married Walter DOUGLAS-IRVINE a member of the peerage. Another Robert LLOYD is the child of an Owen LLOYD from Rockville, Roscommon, spouse Frances KELLY. Both would have born roughly the right time, but I have no way of knowing for sure if they're my Robert LLOYD. Finally I signed up to the Irish Origins website and searched for him there. There was a Robert Jones LLOYD listed as a lessor for several properties in the Griffiths Valuation, but I'm not sure how this helps me, because it could still be a different Robert, and it doesn't give me a birth date nor any other members of family - how is this a census substitute? It also lists something to do with a will but I'm not sure what the reference numbers mean, or if it's the right Robert again. I've also found from an issue of the Times that he was from somewhere beginning with Ardna (the copy is bad) and ending in -owan, Roscommon. What do I do next? Even if I did know how to order a birth/marriage certificate from Roscommon I don't know the place or date of birth, so I won't be able to.

Finally there are some rumours and possibly apocryphal tales: That Robert Jones LLOYD was extremely rich and drove his carriage around Roscommon throwing sovereigns to the poor, but let his children walk barefoot! (If true this would make my great-great-grandfather Robert Jones Sanderson Lloyd one of the barefoot children - no wonder he left Ireland!)
The other rumour is that this line of my family is somehow related to the poet and writer Oliver GOLDSMITH. Not sure if I'll ever be able to verify this, but I suppose if true it would be something to do with JONES: His mother was Ann(e) JONES and presumambly the JONES in Robert's name is from a surname.

Any help/advice/information would be most gratefully received.

thanks. i already had those census details and that can't be the right Robert Jones Lloyd because he was from Ireland not Shropshire, but I appreciate the effort.

The 1857 Griffith’s Valuation at www.leitrim-roscommon.com lists the occupiers and immediate lessors of ARDNAGOWNA townland, Elphin Civil parish.

I suggest you check LDS film 256608 for the 1835 Tithe Applotment records for ARDNAGOWNA townland.

Search also for Loyd.

Found by Google search
Search for Robert Jones Lloyd
http://www.featherstone-society.com/vis ... k-wall.htm

http://www.irelandseye.com/irish/tradit ... smith.shtm
Smith Hill, in Co. Roscommon, is one mile north-west of Elphin and may have been the birthplace of Oliver Goldsmith, the 18th-century dramatist.

Search for Smith Hill at
http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/e.php

Lloyd, Robert, Esq., M.D., Roscommon
http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/subsl.php

The 1749 Census of Elphin Diocese contains a number of enteries for Loyd in Aughrim and Kilmore Civil parishes.

The index to the Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society Journal has the following entry:
Lloyd family volume 3, pages 15-17. Contact address.
The Secretary, The Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society,
Castlestrange, Castlecoote P.O., Co. Roscommon. Ireland
(Please include an International Postal Reply Coupon when writing to the society.)

Wills – visit www.rootsweb.com/~irlsli/willssligohome.html
http://www.rootsweb.com/~fianna/county/roscommon.html

John

Thanks for that - useful links. The Smiths Hill connection hadn't occurred to me.

The sovereign story (re your email) bascially has been passed down through the family, as stories are, along with the Oliver Goldsmith rumour. One can never tell if they're true or not I suppose but it adds some colour.

I have found a little more about Robert Jones LLOYD's children from Burkes landed gentry on Ancestry.co.uk, but what I really want to know is who his spouse and parents were. It's proving difficult.

Thanks again

Hi Rachael,
I don't have a direct answer but some hints that may help. Oliver Goldsmith's maternal grandfather was Rev. Oliver Jones who lived the rector's house in Smith Hill, which is the English translation of Ard na Gowna (literally the Hill or Height of the Smith, as in a farrier). This may be your Jones connection. Later, in November 1847, the occupant of that house was Rev. John Lloyd who was assassinated. You can read of the trial at www.obeirnefanily.mcmail.com
The Lloyd's owned two of the main houses in Smith Hill until the current families bought them. Both houses still stand.

Sean

If you have a connection to the Rev Lloyd of Rockville, you should get hold of the following book which covers the events of the period when Rev Lloyd was murdered at the same time as Major Mahon of Strokestown House.

Scally, Robert. The End of Hidden Ireland/Rebellion, Famine & Emigration. Oxford University Press. New York. 1995.

Rachel

There was a Rev Thomas William LLoyd who lived at Glebe House, Ballykilcline, Roscommon in the mid 1840s