I am looking for any information on the Tierney family. Matthew Tierney and Jane Tierney (née Hicks) born 1789 emigrated from County Westmeath to London, UK between 1808 and 1823.

They had 4 boys whose names and birthdates were:

Michael Tierney (born 1808) County Westmeath, Ireland
Peter (born 1823 in St Lukes, Middlesex, England). This is my great-grandfather.
Matthew George (born 1826 St Lukes, Middlesex, England) and
John Thomas (born 1833) St Lukes, Middlesex, England.


I know that the family was Roman Catholic and that Matthew senior’s occupation was a cooper or barrel maker.

I am stuck with not knowing where in Westmeath they lived. I cannot find a record of when or where Matthew married Jane, but it is stated on her death certificate ‘widow of Matthew’.
I have been unable to find records of the births or baptisms of the boys; all information is from UK census records 1841, 1851, 1861 and death certificates.
I know that Michael was indicted for assault in London and transported to Australia in 1834.

Anyone looking for Tierney's and has any information on this family, or extended family would be appreciated. Thank you.

Sue Osborne née Tierney

Hello Sue,

We're related - very distantly! I'm a descendant of Matthew Tierney (b 1826); my mother was a Tierney before becoming a Pearson.

I spent a long time about a dozen years ago researching the Tierneys. I traced them back through the censuses, and then made use of the Roman Catholic records for St Mary Moorfields church, which holds baptism records for my Matthew in 1826 (who incidentally was also a Cooper by profession), and a John born in 1829 (though I see you and others have him born 1833, so perhaps the original John died and another replaced him then?). They listed the mother as Jane, nee Hicks (Johanna she's listed as, the records being in Latin), and also recorded Matthew's death in 1836, aged 54, which I think you know about.

You've gone one better than me though, and actually found out where in Ireland they came from - that's excellent detective work!

That's all I know about them going backwards (though I know a lot about them going forwards!). I would love to hear any other info you might have on them.

Best wishes,


Mark Pearson.

Hello Mark
I was so pleased to see your reply. You have found a baptism record that I've searched for so long for! Perhaps there will be a record of an older child Peter baptised before Matthew if I search St Mary Moorfields.
I do have quite a bit of information which I'll gladly share with you, please could you email me direct: sue.osborne@live.co.uk and we can discuss the best way of passing on the info we have.
Best regards Sue