Michaels's descendants were listed variously as CE and later on as presbyterian...Protestant was their religion apparently. Going by certain stories and tales told over the years, Michael has said that he was an orphan or Home child and that he came over on a orphans ship. I have found no records of this, and not knowing exactly when he came is difficult. I have been searching ships lists and changed the dates and place of departure several times to cover several dates and places etc. The place name Tobercurry (sp) Sligo has popped up many times, but any info I find regarding this place does not match birthdates etc. I recently found a famine ship's manifest with origin in Ireland, via Liverpool, to New York and it lists three Armstrongs, William, Michael and Catherine, and all have birthdays within 2 years of each other...all after 1830 coming from Sligo. Michael's birthdate has been given to us as circa 1826, so this is close enough to be of interest. I am going to focus on those three and see what I can find on them. Later on in the late 1800's and early 1900's, several of Michael's children traveled back and forth from Ontario to Maine and New York for work and visiting. Perhaps they had kin there, or family from back in Ireland that settled in that area. My dead end is Michael, I am searching through parish information in Sligo, and so far nothing is matching up, what little there is.
I am not sure where to go from here.
I may have a paid researcher look for me in Ireland, but my sister and mother and I are planning a trip to Ireland in the next year or two to do some research on other family as well, so maybe I will do the search myself. If anyone out there has even a smidgeon of a hint, please drop me a line.
Micheal Armstrong b: circa 1826 - 1830
Catherine - 1834
William - 1832