I have recently discovered that the family of my great great grandmother, Margaret Sharkey born Castlebar, Mayo in 1835 were originally from the Frenchpark area of Roscommon. Her father was called Francis and according to her marriage cert. he was a stonemason. Margaret married another Sharkey, John, born (we think in Mayo) in 1831 and his father was called Miles, also a stonemason. Although Margaret and John were married in Staffordshire, England in 1855 I have been unable to find any record of their parents in any of the English census records. The only Francis Sharkey I have managed to find in Griffiths Valuation for Roscommon was living in Tibohine Parish, Raheely township in 1857 where he and four others are sharing 46 acres comprising of houses and land. The others are Luke Sharkey, Martin and Michael Gara and Loughlin Oates. There are also several McGarrys in the township so I am not sure if Gara and McGarry families are the same family incorrectly transcribed or two different families.
I know that John Sharkey had a brother called Peter (b.1834) who was living with him and his family in Hanley, Staffordshire in 1861 but Peter does not appear on any other British census. Also one of the witnesses on the wedding certificate is Pheobe Sharkey but I have no idea whether she was a relation of John or Margaret! Any information welcome.