Patrick Francis Nix was born January 1, 1861, County Clare. Birthdate is confirmed by U.S. records with only 'Ireland' given as location. County Clare, Ennis is all that famly oral history has provided.

Patrick Francis Nix listed his parents as Michael and Margaret on his marriage certificate, 1893, Providence R.I.
In April 2001 I inquired of the General Register Office in Dublin whether I should request a search for a registration of Patrick Francis Nix's birth, Jan. 1, 1861 from either their Dublin office or the Clare County Courthouse in Ennis, since the GRO website's instructions were redundant on the issue. I received an email reply from GRO which pointed out that neither office would have a record and advised I check the website of the National Library of Ireland . Upon analyzing the later's list of available microfilmed records I found Galway and Killaloe to be the only Roman Catholic dioceses which include part of County Clare in their jurisdiction. I bookmarked the huge list of parishes included over time in those dioceses but the Acrobat 'pdf' file will not load beyond the first 19 or so pages on my computer. Presumably the information is similar to the Clare Library Parish & Church Records status index. Looking at the latter under Roman Catholic my 'best guesses' to search for my grandfather's baptism record are The Civil and RC Parish of Kilkeedy, Civil Parish of Killeely with the RC Parishes of Parteen & Meelick , Civil Parish of Killinaboy with RC Parish of Corofin.

Lacking documentation on my grandfather Patrick's place of birth, I have listed the following births to parents with the same given names as Patrick's. His January 1, 1861 birth does not show on these same sources since civil recording of births was not required until 1864.
FHL British Isles Vital Records CDs.

• NIX, John

Birth Sex: Male
Birth Date: 22 Jan 1864
Birthplace: Corrofin, Clare,
Recorded in: Civil Registration for Ireland
Father: Michael NIX
Mother: Margaret FORDE
Source: Batch # C701224 Expected birth and christening Film #101083
• NIX, Anne

Birth Sex: Female
Birth Date: 15 Dec 1865
Birthplace: 0254 Corrofin, Clare,
Recorded in: Civil Registration for Ireland
Father: Michael NIX
Mother: Margaret FORDE
Source: FHL Film 101083
Source: Batch C70124
• NIX, Anne

Birth Sex: Female
Birth Date: 12 Jul 1867
Birthplace: Corrofin, Clare,
Recorded in: Civil Registration for Ireland
Father: Michael NIX
Mother: Margaret FORDE
Source: FHL Number 101153
Dates: 1867-1867
Note:210
• NIX, Honor

Birth Sex: Female
Birth Date: 7 Aug 1869
Birthplace: Corrofin, Clare,
Recorded in: Civil Registration for Ireland
Father: Michael NIX
Mother: Mary FORDE
Source: FHL Number 101193
Dates: 1869-1869
Note:235
(note: above Mary...possibly a typo or interchangeable with Margaret Mary)
• NIX, Michael

Birth Sex: Male
Birth Date: 5 Nov 1871
Birthplace: Corrofin, Clare,
Recorded in: Civil Registration for Ireland
Father: Michael NIX
Mother: Margaret FORDE
Source:FHL Number 255836
Dates: 1871-1871
Note:224

You may find the LDS film numbers listed above by going to their site http://familysearch.org and clicking on catalog, location and entering: Clare, Ireland 

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Other clues on my my grandtather's 'probable' birthplace were gleaned from the Griffith's Valuation of 1855 for County Clare on the Clare County Library site.

Griffiths lists the name Nix 6 times. The only Michael & Mary listed are in:
Townland, Coolbaun, 290 acres, about a mile southwest of Tubber, Galway
Barony, Inchiquin
Civil Parish, Kilkeedy (Coolbaun in southeast quadrant)
Poor Law Union, Corofin
Province, Munster

There was a Robert Nix (my brother's name and he is the older son) in:
Townland, Boolanacausk
Parish, Killeely
Union, Limerick

There were three Thomas Nix's listed in:
Townlands; Boolanacausk, Meelick and Stonepark
Parish, Killeely
Union, Limerick

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1901 Clare census

29 Nix's are listed in the County Clare library 1901 census. All were listed as Roman Catholic. I have compiled them into families per Townland as follows:

My grandfather Patrick Francis Nix, born in 1861 was age 40 and in Rhode Island, USA  in 1901. Looking for his possible siblings in the 1901 Census I noted:

• Coolbaun Township, Kilkeedy Parish, Muckanagh DED 18, Corrofin Reg. District, Corrofin Union
  Michael Nix, age 75, Head of Family, Farmer, Cannot Read, Widower, Born Co. Clare, Irish-English (born 1826, my grandfather was 40 in 1901, 75 minus 40 means = 35 yrs old.  75-24= 51, a 16 year gap?. Maggie was born in 1877 when my grandfather was in Rhode Island.)
  Maggie, 24, Read-Write, Farmer's Daughter, Not Married, Born in Co. Clare Rodger, 22, Read-Write, Farmer's Son, Not Married, Born in Co. Clare
  Bridget, 18, Read-Write, Farmer's Daughter, Not Married, Born in Co. Clare
  Lillie, 17, Read-Write, Farmer's Daughter, Not Married, Born in Co. Clare
  


• Boolanacausk Townland, Killeely Parish, Killeely DED 117/1, Coolacasey Reg District, Limerick Union
  James Nix age 37, Farmer, head of family, wife Mary age 38, all Roman Catholics, both read & write, both born in County Clare.
  Robert, read-write, age 9,
  John, read-write, age 8
  Mary age 5, cannot read
  Anne age 3, cannot read
  Bridget age 11 months.
  Robert, Father, age 88, read-write, widower. (would have been 48 in 1861), Born in Co. Clare, Irish-English.
  


• Meelick Townland, Killeely Parish, Killeely DED 117/1, Coolacasey Reg District, Limerick Union
  James Nix age 52, Farmer, head of family, wife Bridget age 46, all Roman Catholics, both read & write, both born in County Clare.
  Mary, age 19, Farmer's daughter, not married, born County Clare
  John, 17, read-write, scholar, not married, born County Clare
  James, 15, read-write, scholar, not married, born County Clare
  Georgina, 10, read-write, scholar, not married, born County Clare
  Charles, 7, cannot read, scholar, not married, born County Clare
  Bridget, 3,  cannot read, not married, born County Clare
  
  
• Woodcorkhill Townland, Killeely Parish, Killeely DED 117, Coolacasey Reg. District, Limerick Union
  Catherine Nix, age 50, Farmer, Head of Family, Read-Write, Widow, born in Co. Clare
  Bridget, 22, Read-Write, Farmer's  Daughter,  Not Married,  Born  in Co. Clare
  Robert,  20,  Read-Write,  Farmer's Son,  Not Married, Born in Co. Limerick
  


• Knocknaskeagh Townland, Killeely Parish, Killeely DED 117, Coolacasey Reg. District, Limerick Union
  Robert Nix, age 56, Farmer, Head of Family, wife Ellen, 54 both read-write, both born County Clare
  Thomas, 29, Farmer, read-write, not married, born County Clare
  


• Ballycally Townland, Kilconry Parish, Clenagh DED 39, Newmarket Reg. District, Ennis Union
  John McMahon, 52, Farmer, Head of Family, read-write, not married, Born County Clare, Irish-English
  Daniel McMahon, 38, brother, assistant Farmer, read-write, not married, Born County Clare,  Irish-English
  Maryanne McMahon, sister, Housekeeper, read-write, not married, Born County Clare
  John Reddar, 60, Farm Servant, read-write, not married, Born County Clare, Irish-English
  Francis Nix, 11, female, relative, read-write, scholar, not married, born County Clare
  Roberto Nix, 9, male, relative, read-write,  scholar, not married,  born County Clare
  
  

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  Lisa Randall emailed me December 2011 that her grandfather was Jack Nix, a farmer in Boolagh Townsland, which is Kiltinan Civil Parish, Tipperary County which is adjacent to Clare County.  His son Robert married Ellen Broggy and their children were: James Patrick Nix, Patrick Francis Nix, both born in Ireland. Then the family emigrated to Montreal Quebec where were born: John Francis, Eileen, Francis, Katherine, William and Sheila. Lisa's father is John Francis Nix, born 1928. 
  

  The 1901 Clare Census has this entry for Broggy in District Electoral Divsion of Killeely,Townland of  Derry More:

  Broggy, Ellen, Head of Family, Church of Ireland,  70,  Widow,  born in  County Tipperary   
  Broggy, Matthew H.  Son, Roman Catholic, 34, Farmer, Married,  born County Clare   
  Broggy, Catherine, Daughter-in-law, Roman Catholic, 39,  Married, born County Limerick   
  Broggy, John, Roman Catholic, 30, Farmer, Not Married, born County Clare   
  

  ----------------------------------------
  

  More 'bits and pieces' of Nix in Clare information has come from other researchers. Posted here in order to
  have more 'Nix' name in Clare data.

  The Clare Freeman (newspaper) Feb 25 1871
  On the 20th inst. at the Roman Catholic Church, Kilrush, by the very Rev.
  Dr. Dinan, P.P., V.G., Robert, eldest son of Thomas Nix Esq., Stonepark
  House, Meelick, County Clare, to Ellen, second daughter of Michael Brew
  Esq., Parknamona, Kilrush. (Robert Nix m Ellen Brew)

  From Punchbowl cemetery, Meelick
  In loving memory of Robert Nix, Stonepark, who died 18th
  December 1911, aged 66 years, his wife Ellen Nix, died
  13th March, 1934 aged 87 years. Their son Thomas Nix,
  died 31st August 1946 aged 74 years, his wife Catherine,
  died 14th September 1959, aged 82 years on whose souls
  Sweet Jesus have mercy RIP also John Nix died 29th May
  1925 aged 17 years, his sister Nellie died 21st April 1965,
  aged 50 years.

  Obit of James Mahon in Oct 1936 are listed
  T. Nix, Stonepark, Meelick ; T.J.Nix, Dublin and P.L.Forde.

  Nix Thomas J Cabra Rd., Dublin 25 Oct 1952 Obit
  Born Meelick, lived in Newmarket-on-Fergus,
  Widow - Kathleen,
  Daughter - Miss Prionnsias Nix,
  Brothers - J.A.Nix, Robert Nix, and Charles Nix,
  Sister - Mrs. C.Liddy.
   

  Nix, Tom,  Meelick House, Meelick 01 Mar 1985 Obit

  From Punchbowl cemetery, Meelick
  In loving memory of Thomas Nix of Meelick House,
  died 23 Feb 1985 aged 78 years, his wife Maura Nix,
  who died 13th November 1991 aged 80 years - RIP
  Erected by their son Robert.

  From Punchbowl cemetery, Meelick
  William Nix RIP Ballycannon.
  

  
  In phone conversation Oct 9, 2004 my brother Robert reported that our sister Harriet had been recently to some military reunion and noted a Ralph Nix memoriam from World War 2 in Providence R.I.  Whether a cousin of our father is the question.
  

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  FORD, FORDE

  • There are 14 Forde and 12 Ford surnames listed on the Griffith's Valuation of 1855 for County Clare on the Clare County Library site.
  • There are three Michael Forde's and no Michael Ford's listed.
  • The Michael Forde's are listed as follows;
  
  Townland, Castlequarter Kilkeedy; Parish, Kilkeedy; Union, Corofin
  Townland, Templebannagh; Parish, Kilkeedy; Union, Corrofin
  • There are two Mary Fordes, the only Fordes with female given names, listed as follows:
  
  Townland, Derryowen; Parish, Kilkeedy; Union, Corrofin
  Townland, Killadysert, Parish, Killadysert, Union, Killadysert
  • The following sentence was in a letter from a Thomas Dewey to Anna J. Nix in Florida, date unknown, but apparently around 1955-58.
  
  "I send a roll or two of Boston newspapers a month to my uncle Pat Monahan. He is living with my Aunt Katie in Castle Lodge, Tubber P.O. County Galway, Ireland. He is there since he left Boston in the summer of 1928. His eyesight is none too good. So I guess Aunt Katie does all his writing. Her name is Mrs. John Forde."
  • The Griffith's listing has two John Fordes, as follows<
  
  Townland, Drummoher; Parish, Killinaboy; Union, Corofin
  Townland, Killadysert; Parish, Killadysert; Union, Killadysert.
  • Mary M. Nix, my father's youngest sibling and only sister identified in writing that these family names were neighbors of the Nix's in Ireland. The surnames are Dewey (slight possibility the name is Denney), Forde and Monahan. Thomas Dewey gave his sister Margaret's address as "Mrs. George Parker, 8 James Rd. Weymouth Heights, Mass. She has 2 girls and one boy."
  • In phone conversation Oct 9, 2004 my brother Robert reported that our mother had said that a Joe Ford who was a member of our church in Belmont, St. Joseph's, 'might be a cousin'.
    

• The Clare County Library website lists all the County Clare Church of Ireland and Catholic Parishes and notes the status of records, what exists for births, marriages and deaths per year and location of the records. For the parishes I have listed above the Clare Library site reports the following:

KILKEEDY

• Church of Ireland records lost
• Civil Parish: Kilkeedy,
• RC parish: Kilkeedy
• Diocese: KL Births: earliest record; Feb. 1833, missing 1866-1870
• marriages, earliest record; Feb 1871.
• Parish Address: The Parish Priest, Tubber, Gort, County Galway.
KILLEELY
• not listed under Church of Ireland
• Civil Parish Killeely (see also County Limerick)
• Roman Catholic Parish: Parteen and Meelick
• Diocese: LK
• Births, earliest record: Sept 1831
• Marriages, earliest record: July 1814, missing from Dec 1819 to February 1821, and January 1836 to February 1847.
• Parish Address: The Parish Priest, Parteen, County Limerick
• The 1978 Irish phonebook listed 14 Nixes, including one in Ennis and 9 in Limerick.
• When researching records one should keep in mind the mass emigration related to the Famine. In 1841, before the Famine began, County Clare's population was 286,000. Ten years later when the Famine had ended the population was down 74,000 to 212,000. In 1966 population had decreased to 75,000, 26 percent of the 1841 count.
• There are no listings for 'Nix' in Sean Spellissy's 1996 book, "The Merchants of Ennis". However he states the listing is not comprehensive, particularly omitting smaller merchants. The book was published for the Ennis Chamber of Commerce by On Stream Publications Ltd.