My great-greatgrandfather was Nicholas Simons, born about 1815 in Irelend, who came to Kane Co., IL between 1845 and 1850. In 1850 there is a Patrick Simons, born about 1817 and Cady, born about 1844, both born in Ireland just below him on the census. In the 1860 census Patrick is listed as James and Cady as Christopher. On James' tombstown his last name is listed as Fitz Simons, the county he is from in Ireland is listed as Westmeath but the parish is hard to read, it starts with a T, next letter is either u or a and there is a b or an h a few letters down. May have had a sister Ellen, born about 1825, who married Patrick Malone. They came over about 1851. In the 1870 census there is a Michael Simons, born about 1802 in Ireland, living with the Malones. Any info would be appreciated. I also like to hear from cousins.

Colleen;
I shall try to help you.Are you sure that it is a parish-either civil or church,and not a townland?
You might try cemetery records or death records as starters.
My great grandmother was also a Fitzsimons from Westmeath.
Jim

Jim
If it wasn't for grave markers, I wouldn't have a clue where my Irish ancestors were from in Ireland. I tried going to the Catholic church, but they're records are time consuming to go through and they are hard to get to see. They are the originals. The family shortened the name to Simons or Simonds (I have found it both ways in the census) and lived in Maple Park, Kane Co. IL My great-great grandfather was Nicholas (Fitz)Simons. I have his, James and Christopher's naturalizations records, but they don't list where they were from. Any help you could give me would be appreciated. I am pretty sure his oldest daughter, Rose, was born in Ireland. She married Maurice Flynn.
Colleen

Colleen;
The most likely parish is Taghmon.Its listed on Griffiths Valuation.I do not know if it is a civil or church parish.
Living in Tagmon is a Ellen Fitzsimons.
To go further back you are going to need birth,marriage and death records.(i also need to get these records.)
Jim

I already have all the birth, marriage and death records I have been able to locate. I checked my notes from the cemetery again and it says "native of the parish". Thanks for the info, I think that was the same place I thought it was. I'm pretty sure I located Nicholas and his family on the Atlas in 1847. His first wife died before 1850. If you don't mind me asking, where did you're Fitzsimons live in the US and when did they come over?

My great grandmother immigrated in October 1889,Her sister margaret immigrated 364 days later,October 3,1890.They both had other brothers and sisters who immigrated here whom I have not found-yet.
They were from a Townland of Glenidan.In county Westmeath.

One sister ended up in Pennsylvania.The younger sister ended up in New Jersey

James,
Just wanted to let you know, I posted a query on the Westmeath, Ireland board and received two replies. One placed some Fitzsimons in Martinstown, Taghmon, Westmeath, Ireland in the early 1800's and the other one said there were still Fitzsimons in the area in the 1960"s.
Colleen

That is good news!, I hope that you can contact family in westmeath!!!
Jim

Colleen; That is good news!, I hope that you can contact family in westmeath!!!
Jim