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Winter Issue Out Now!

Our Winter issue of Irish Roots is out now! In this issue:- Irish Families Abandoned by Transportation. First World war - Irish Soldiers' Wills. Eccentric Ireland - Co. Sligo. History of surnam...
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The Brick Wall

The Brick Wall By Tony McCarthy Word of mouth is the best source of family history.  We all depend on it to point us in the right direction when first starting out on our search for ancestors...
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The Brick Wall Part II

The Brick Wall Part II Many people of Irish descent in the USA and Canada have great difficulty in finding the places of origin in Ireland of their ancestors.  The reason for t...
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Family Cnr

FAMILY CORNER

Email us with the details of the ancestors that you are tracing and we will endeavour to include them here and if possible in Irish Roots magazine!  Please remember to keep your details clear and concise.

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Michelle Sullivan seeking info on SULLIVAN from Tishmane and Keeraunbeg, Carraroe, Co Galway.  Using the Griffith’s Valuation Bartholomew Sullivan is of Keeraunbeg.  He has two sons Bartley (about 1850) and Patrick (about1855).  Mary MCDONOUGH (father John MCDONOUGH of Derartha) born about 1882, married Bartley.  Anne MOGAN married Patrick.

There are also connections to FOLAN and KEANE all from the Carraroe (An Cheathrú Rua) area. 
Thanking you my_michelle28@yahoo.com.au


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I am hoping to learn more information about my great-great grandparents who lived in O'Callaghans Mill, County Clare, Ireland.  My great-great grandfather was Michael O’Brien and his wife, Mary McCarthy.  Their children were Daniel b. 1831; Mary b. ???; Patrick b. 1839; James b. 1844; Anna b. 1854 and my great-grandfather Michael O’Brien b. 29 September 1851.  The family moved to Illinois in the 1860’s – Michael O’Brien Senior died in Ireland. I’m curious if anyone has information on Michael O’Brien senior’s family and/or Mary McCarthy’s family in Ireland.

Thank you for your help.  Joe Johnson jwjnyc1@gmail.com

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I have been working on my roots for a couple years.
  I am looking for Mary Normyle, born in Clare county in 1823
 and her husband Patrick or Bartholomew Donavan also born in Clare county
 around 1815.
 Thank you,  Pamela Symonds   pamela_goodrode@hotmail.com

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Frank McGonigal Hi!
My name is Frank McGonigal and I'm researching the names GORRY, KEENAGHAN and LOWRY from the Moate area in Co. Westmeath.
William GORRY and Bridget KEENAGHAN married there in 1847.
Also researching McGONIGAL and COYLE who said in the 1841 census in Glasgow Scotland that they were from DERRY..born abt.1814.
This is as far back as I've been able to get on both couples. I have a lot of info on their descendants.
Frank McGonigal Ont.Canada

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 Tammy Swoffer-Asher Hi My ggggreat grandparents came from Northern Ireland David Kirk b.abt 1789 Antrim,Ireland d.1843 Leeds Co. Ontario,Canada Married Mary Finaly 12-30-1809 Ireland
Mary Finaly b. abt 1893 Ireland d.4-21-1861 Kirkton,Ontario,Canada
I believe they had 11 kids There son Willaim is my gggreat grandfather b.1-29-1815 in
Antrim ...Co.,Ireland d.11-9-1893 Sanilac Co.,Michigan,U.S.A. married Ellen Reynolds/Runnels m.1845 Ontario,Canada b.1-9-1824 Ireland d.8-10-1900 Sanilac Co.,Michigan,U.S.A. If anyone has information please email at joejoetammy@att.net
Thank you My name is Tammy

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 Michael R Widdis Searching the surname WIDDIS. My family came from County Caven to Canada circa 1800. Any information would be great.

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Jean Campbell Search for information on the Steele family in Ballymena Northern Ireland

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Alison Stroebel My beloved Grandfather was born in Limerick 1923, Robert Jameson, he ran away to join the war at 15. I believe he had a sister Katherine and brother Jack among other I do not know. His father was Robert and mother Margaret. Can anyone tell me how to trace the rest of his family? Many thanks.

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I am researching the family of my paternal grandmother; Elizabeth KEIRVEN (b. 1907 in Wallsend, Northumberland). She was the third generation of Keirven's that lived near Newcastle in Northumberland. She and some of her family emigrated to Australia in the late 1920's. Elizabeth's grandfather was Patrick KEIRVEN (b. ~1840 in Ireland) who had arrived, we believe via Glasgow, sometime between his birth and marrying his wife (Margaret TOBIN) in 1866 (in Walker, Northumberland).
 
I can find no record of this spelling of the surname in Ireland. All Keirven's in England and Australia can be traced back to Patrick in Northumberland. Both Patrick and his wife were illiterate, so the spelling of the surname would have been an interpretation between their Irish accent and the Geordie accent in Northumberland.
 
A number of people, both Irish and English from Newcastle, have suggested the name would probably be something like Kirwan, Kirwin, Kerwin, Kerevan, Girven, Girwan and originally Girbhen. These names are stretched across many counties, so finding the right family, let alone a child named Patrick, is a daunting task.
 
So I have two areas of investigation:
1. I can't seem to find much on the migration path from Ireland, through Glasgow to Northumberland/Newcastle. I know there were a lot of Catholic Irish who ended up working in the shipbuilding industries around Newcastle, so it must have been a regular migration route. Are there any good online references to this migration (in general) and any records that could be searched for names (I'm in Australia, so physical visits are not possible)?
2. Any pointers to how the name Keirven may have been spelt and where it could have come from around the time of the Great Famine.
I am researching the family of my paternal grandmother; Elizabeth KEIRVEN (b. 1907 in Wallsend, Northumberland). She was the third generation of Keirven's that lived near Newcastle in Northumberland. She and some of her family emigrated to Australia in the late 1920's. Elizabeth's grandfather was Patrick KEIRVEN (b. ~1840 in Ireland) who had arrived, we believe via Glasgow, sometime between his birth and marrying his wife (Margaret TOBIN) in 1866 (in Walker, Northumberland).
 
I can find no record of this spelling of the surname in Ireland. All Keirven's in England and Australia can be traced back to Patrick in Northumberland. Both Patrick and his wife were illiterate, so the spelling of the surname would have been an interpretation between their Irish accent and the Geordie accent in Northumberland.
 
A number of people, both Irish and English from Newcastle, have suggested the name would probably be something like Kirwan, Kirwin, Kerwin, Kerevan, Girven, Girwan and originally Girbhen. These names are stretched across many counties, so finding the right family, let alone a child named Patrick, is a daunting task.
 
So I have two areas of investigation:
1. I can't seem to find much on the migration path from Ireland, through Glasgow to Northumberland/Newcastle. I know there were a lot of Catholic Irish who ended up working in the shipbuilding industries around Newcastle, so it must have been a regular migration route. Are there any good online references to this migration (in general) and any records that could be searched for names (I'm in Australia, so physical visits are not possible)?
2. Any pointers to how the name Keirven may have been spelt and where it could have come from around the time of the Great Famine. Contact davidaedwards@optusnet.com.au

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"I am searching for birth, christening or other Irish records relating to the birth and residency in Ireland of my great grandfather, William Lunney, who was born in Ireland in 1821.  Said William Lunney was a Wesleyan Methodist.  He and at least one brother (Thomas Lunney - a/k/a Thomas Lunny) emigrated to Waterborough, New Brunswick Canada around 1845-6, where they owned a large farm.  William Lunney was first married to Matilda Kennedy at Waterborough on May 19, 1847.  He married a second time as William "Lunnie" to Charlotte Drost, and they moved to another large farm at Glassville, New Brunswick in 1872.  The descendants of these Lunney/Lunny/Lunnie brothers now number in the hundreds across Canada and the United States.  Reply to Timothy Lunney at: timothylunney@msn.com"  Thanks, Tim Lunney

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I am just getting ready to try to search for my Irish Ancestors but am at a loss where to start.
There are 3 different Irish lines in my tree, coming from different places.

Seamus O'Byrne - Wicklow B 1861

Bridgit O'Connor - Tipparary B 1798
Henry Hynes Hines) - DUBLIN (i think) B1781 (Married to Bridgit above.)
Margaret Hyn...es (Hines) from Camby Tipperary B 1821

Then I have a real tough one Bridgit B 1781, Fermoy, Cork.

Since I live in Canada I have been trying to use the Census reports etc, (Where I got all this information) however, I have no idea how to research my Irish roots, where do I start, Do you have any ideas?

Thank you in advance, for any ideas, help or assistance anyone may provide.

Sincerely,  Valerie Worrall-Rose

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Jean Campbell Hugh McClelland Came over from Ireland in 1842 to Ontario Canada.
With his wife Elizabeth Williamson, and children Mary b 1826, David b 1828,Sarah b 1830, James b 1833, Hugh b 1835, Robert b 1837, Martha b. 1840.
My brick wall is ROBERT I have not been able to find him anywhere. I don't know the ship they came over on. ...I don't know if he died while traveling, or if he died in Ireland. They were from Knockbride Parish, Cavan Co.

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MY NAME IS BRIAN A. MCGEE FROM CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. I AM TRYING TO FURTHER TRACE MY ROOTS BACK TO
ANTRIUM COUNTY, IRELAND FOR MY FATHER'S MCGEE FAMILY.

MY GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER WAS ROBERT MCGEE FROM ANTRIUM COUNTY, IRELAND. HE IMMIGRATED
FROM IRELAND TO MISSISSIPPI IN THE 1800'S. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW I CAN FIND MOR...E INFO
ON MY MCGEE RELATIVES IN IRELAND? PLEASE CONTACT ME AT: brianamcgee@yahoo.com
Thanks!!

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Jane Ann Searls Craig Looking for last name of Hyland or Highland maybe from Galway area. Left there during potato famine and ended up in Canada. Family died of ships fever except for one little three and a half year old girl name Katherine/Catherine?? not sure of spelling. Later adopted by Mellish family and also Cook/Cooke family in Ontar...io, Canada. Ended up near Brantford, Ontario, then Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Married Charles Mitchell. Anyone have any info on this, please respond. Thank you.

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I am trying to complete a family history and seeking information on the family of  Michael Browne and wife Emily (nee Hallowed) who resided in Desmond Avenue, Dun Laoire in 1911.  Both were then aged 35 and had children William born 1905 and Ellen (Nellie) born 1910.  The family appear to have moved to Dublin city subsequently.
Ellen (Nellie) worked in the United Arts Club, Upper Fitzwilliam street as a servant for some years around 1936/37 and was last heard of in 1942.  She may have gone overseas.  William was probably a carpenter as in those days sons normally entered their father’s trade or calling. Any information would be most welcome.

oneachtain9542@eircom.net Thomas Naughton, 9 College Park, Corbally, Limerick =====================================================

On the 5th August 1864, during the American Civil War, the Battle of Mobile Bay took place under Admiral David Farragut, for the Union side, and Admiral Franklin Buchanan for the Confederacy. During the action, which reports say lasted about 2 hours, 14 men born in Ireland (among many others), were to be awarded the Medal of Honor for their various acts of gallantry and bravery. I am working on a project in Ireland to find out what became of these men and their medals, and would like to hear from any descendants who may have relevant information. The 14, their Ranks in the US Navy and US Marine Corps, and their birth years are listed below.
CASSIDY, MICHAEL
Rank and organization: Landsman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1837, Ireland.
COOPER, JOHN
Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 1832, Ireland.
DOOLEN, WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Coal Heaver, U.S. Navy. Born: 1841, Ireland.
DOUGHERTY, PATRICK
Rank and organization: Landsman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1844, Ireland.
DUNPHY, RICHARD D.
Rank and organization: Coal Heaver, U.S. Navy. Born: 1840, Ireland.
GARDNER, WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1832, Ireland.
HUDSON, MICHAEL
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 1834, Sligo, Ireland.
JONES, ANDREW
Rank and organization: Chief Boatswain’s Mate, U.S. Navy. Born: 1835, Ireland.
MARTIN, EDWARD S.
Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1840, Ireland.
MARTIN, JAMES
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 1826, Derry, Ireland.
MURPHY, PATRICK
Rank and organization: Boatswain’s Mate, U.S. Navy. Born: 1823, Ireland.
O’CONNELL, THOMAS
Rank and organization: Coal Heaver, U.S. Navy. Born: 1842, Ireland.
PRESTON, JOHN
Rank and organization: Landsman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1841, Ireland.
ROANTREE, JAMES S.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 1835, Dublin, Ireland.
I would appreciate any information anyone might have. In the first instance, please contact me by email at dectwth@eircom.net (please put MOH in the subject line); or by mail to the address below. Thank you.
Declan Hughes
Irish Veterans Memorial Project
Capel Chambers
119 Capel Street
Dublin 1
Republic of Ireland
www.irishveteransmemorialproject.com
Tel: + (0)86 40 66 448
Irish Veterans Memorial Project

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