Diaspora DNA

The Diary recently received the following email;


Hello...

I just now came across your blog entry about members of the Dromahair diaspora.  I am one of those, although my family emigrated quite some time ago.  We have traced our first ancestor in America as coming into Philadelphia in the early 1730s (the height of the penal law era).  His name is recorded as "Thady Rorke," though that was likely a misspelling of what his name actually was.

My wife and I moved back to Ireland from America about a year and a half ago (living in Galway). We've been up to Dromahair to visit on several occasions (including the 2011 Demons Festival).  I've recently acquired the services of a genetic scientist and researcher here in Galway who has been able to use the results of a DNA test I submitted to Family Tree DNA a few years ago.  By using the occurrence of other surnames I matched with in the DNA results and researching where those names were and still are found, he's been able to conclude that my O'Rourke ancestors were indeed of the famous Breifne / Dromahair O'Rourkes.  He's estimated that they were based right near Dromahair, and possibly up around Kiltyclogher.

What I'm looking for now are other O'Rourkes (of that or other close spellings) in that immediate vicinity who might be willing to have their DNA analyzed to search for close genetic connections. This researcher says if there are any farmers with the Rourke / O'Rourke surname still farming some of the land in that area, that would be particularly useful.  I'm hoping to find at least a few who would be willing to submit their DNA, and if any have family records stretching back several centuries or might know where to find them, that would be wonderful.  Hoping you guys can assist me in this great quest.

It would appear Thady left his home near Dromahair because of the extremities of the Penal Laws at that time.  Perhaps his parents put him on the ship?  I have a fairly detailed snapshot of my ancestors and where they lived once they arrived in America, and I'd be glad to fill you guys in on that for the blog (if that's something you'd be interested in).  What I need now is help linking Thady back to where he came from, and determining which branch of the north Leitrim O'Rourkes I come from (and possibly which of the kings!).

Thanks so much...I'll be eagerly anticipating your response.

~ Ryan O'Rourke

p.s.  I had my surname legally changed back to O'Rourke (it was Roark) a few years ago once I firmly established that this was the older spelling...kind of putting right a wrong, if you will.