Ross Irwin began research of this Irwin family in 1959. He was fortunate in locating resource material to build a provable story to the mid-1700's in Co. Cavan, Ireland, a very difficult task for many due to the lack of early records. This family tree begins with a John Irwin born about 1751 and is traced through six generations to another John Irwin born in 1950.

Early Irwin family members emigrated to Canada in the 1840's, principally to Darlington Township, Durham County, Ontario. Many of their Cavan friends had preceded them. Families then pioneered in Fenelon Township, Victoria County; Howick Township, Huron County; and Plympton Township, Lambton County. Second generations of these pioneers went west to Manitoba in the 1880's and farmed at Souris and Neepawa. Others went to Two Harbours, Minnesota, to work in the shops of the iron ore railway. Third generations moved further west to Saskatchewan and beyond. Many remained in Ontario.

The story of this Irwin family is told in three parts. Each part is a basic research document for which other family members can add more personal detailed information for the benefit of their later generations.

Part 1 Robert Irwin, From County Cavan, Ireland, to Fenelon Township, Ontario

This Irwin family had its origin in the Bailieborough area of Co. Cavan, Ireland. Most were associated with Presbyterian churches at Corroneary and Corglass near Bailieborough and some with the Church of Ireland Knockbride Parish. The family is traced with solid research to about 1750 and a further probable generation to 1725.

The first part traces the family from a distant James Irwin, born about 1725, through John (1751) to John (1789). These people lived and died in Co. Cavan, Ireland.

Robert Irwin (1826), a son of John (1789), with his brothers and sisters emigrated to Darlington Township, Ontario, and then settled in Fenelon Township, Ontario. In the 1880's Robert's family went west and farmed at Souris and Neepawa, Manitoba.

John King Irwin remained in Fenelon Township and Part 1 continues the direct line through his son James of Oakwood, to Ross of Guelph, to John of Ottawa with their children and grandchildren.

The book is constructed so other Irwin family members can write a more detailed personal tree and include it in this book.

Part 2 Robert Irwin’s (1826), Brothers and Sisters and their Families.

Part 2 includes available information on the brothers and sisters of Robert Irwin. These families generally married in Fenelon Township, Ontario, moved west to settle at Souris, Minnedosa and Portage La Prairie, Manitoba; Two Harbours, Minn.; Liberty, Saskatchewan; Port Hope and Cavan Township, Ontario; and at Oshawa and Lindsay, Ontario.

Part 3 John Irwin’s (1751) Family who Emigrated to Durham County, Ontario, Canada, in the 1840’s and later moved to Lindsay, Victoria County; Gorrie, Huron County; Plympton, Lambton County, Ontario.

Part 3 includes the families of John Irwin (1751). These Irwin’s emigrated to Darlington Township, Ontario, in 1843. In the 1860's they farmed at Lindsay in Victoria County, and at Gorrie in Huron County. Another branch farmed in Lambton County later moving to Sault Ste. Marie in Northern Ontario. This part includes other Irwin families who were neighbours in Ireland but for whom a relationship has not been established.