Mary McNicholas : Short Biography

Re:  Mary McNicholas (1869 - 1957) County Mayo

I am the paternal-great-granddaughter of Mary McNicholas--whose daughter was my paternal grandmother (1905-1990) and my dad (1938-2022), the grandson of Mary McNicholas.  Of note, during the month prior to my Dad's unexpected death, he and I were in the midst of conversation about his eligibility for Irish Citizenship.

Tis only the Spring of 2024 that I have picked that topic back up again to explore my eligibility for an Irish Passport as a great-granddaughter descendant of an Irish citizen.

In the mid-1990s I traveled to Ireland with my parents, my Aunt/Godmother, and Great-Aunt (Mary McNicholas's third daughter).  We visited a church in Castlebar, Mayo wherein we were shown my great-grandmothers' birth & baptism records.  

We also met with a member of the Turlough community who knew of her ancestral home, and so we visited what remained of the stone cottage and partially intact roof.  

Family History in the oral tradition spoke of a family of 7 children sharing space within that small cottage. There are photographs from that visit; however, I am not yet clear on its accuracy nor its location in Turlough, County Mayo.

To date I have researched the lineage of my great-grandmother Mary McNicholas to the best of my ability within the search engines & websites of Ancestry, Family Tree, and My Heritage.  

Passenger Records show that Mary emigrated Ireland from Queenstown upon the ship Majestic with arrival to Ellis Island, New York, NY on the 17th of July 1895 (btw the year after her mother's death).  

According to the records, Mary traveled to the USA as a single woman, with a chaperone, for a domestic servant assignment in New Jersey (although family history in the oral tradition spoke of a relative in Chicago with whom it seems she may have intended to stay with and/or visit).

Approximately 8 years later, within the official document of an original marriage certificate on record in Manhattan District, New York (that includes her signature) Mary McNicholas's parents names are revealed as:

• Patrick McNicholas (1839-1925)
• Mary Carney (1834-1894 Castlebar, Mayo)

Digital records of Irish Select Births & Baptisms 1620-1911 reveal that Mary McNicholas was baptized 12 September 1869 Castlebar that also confirm her parents' names as Patrick McNicholas & Mary Carney.

Patrick & Mary McNicholas children were:

     *William:  dob 1868

     *Mary:  dob 1 September 1869 (Swinford)

     *Catherine and/or Ellen:  dob 1 October 1872

     *John:  dob 20 March 1874

     *Patrick: dob 14 April 1878

If research be accurate:

Mary Carney parents were:

     *Thomas Carney (1817-1896)

     *Elizabeta Keffer/Keeffe (1816-??)

The details of Patrick McNicholas heritage are not as clear; however, it seems that Patrick's parents names may have been:

     *William McNicholas

     *Bridget

Patrick may have had a brother named James McNicholas.  

All three are listed within Griffiths Valuation of Tenements as occupiers in land & house from Leesor George H. Moore within the Townland of Carrowmore within the Civil Parish of Bohola, County Mayo.

Family history in the oral tradition mentioned that Mary McNicholas father spent some years in the workhouse (??)

This is what I have learned so far.  I wish to acquire as many additional historical records & documentation as may be available.

Before I engage a professional researcher, I wish to see what more I might be able to accurately discover through this website Irelandxo.  

I appreciate the search-links available; and very grateful for the opportunity to learn more.  Kind Regards, ELISA