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My name is Michael Whalen and I live in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario Canda. I have run into a geniological 'brick wall'  when trying to find out my Great Great Grandfathers birth place, fathers name, family story ect. His name was Patrick Whealen, but all 13 of his children spelled their name my way, Whalen. He was born in 1816 in Ireland, his mothers name was Ann, and Partick died in 1874 in Kincardine Twp, Bruce County, Ontario Canada.

Patrick married Deborah Collins b march 17 1821 d may 8 1907, in 1842 (Modreeney Parish, Diocese of Killaloe, Tipperary, Ireland) and we have good documentation for her and her family. She was born in Modreeny Parish, Tipperary Co., Ireland and is the daughter of Henry Collins b Dec 1798, d 02 Apr 1866 and MARY (Mollie) SOMMERS b1800 d 27 Oct 1878. Henry was also born in Modreeny Parish, Tipperary Co., Ireland and his wife was from Newton-Guest, Cloughjordon, Irel and. Henry was the son of Edward Collins b 1875 (Modreeny d 1843 (Ramsay Twp, Lanark County, Ontario) and he married Deborah LEWIS b 1780 (Ballinakill, Tipperary, Ireland) dd28 Mar 1867, (Huron Twp, Bruce Co. Ont)

We believe Patrick was born a catholic, but changed to protestant, probably to marry Deborah whose family was much better off and strong 'Orangmen'. We know Patrick must have spent some time living in the Modreeny Tipperary area, as his future wife was from that area and Patrick was said to have been a 'coachman' for a wealth family.

The Collins family is described in a Collins family history book as "(Pg 12 "From Shamrock to Maple"): The eldest son of Edward and wife was Henry K. who married Mary Summers in the Parish of Modreeny, Tipperary County about 1820-21. Henry and Mary were born, or at least baptized in 1801. They were Tenant Farmers on the Estate of Newtown Guest. The Estate of Newtown Guest was operated by the Guest Family and was part of the large Estate of Lord Dunalley (D). Colonel Pritti, an English Baron. The Townland of Newtown was divided into two parts, with each part bearing the name of the main familities living there. "

Edward Collins was almost certainly a veteran of the War of 1812 and for sure was given 100 acres of land in the Ottawa Ontario area as part of a land deal for veterans. In any case, the Collins, Whealens, Daggs and other family members emigrated to Renfrew twp, Lanark County Ontario over a decade, from 1821 to 1831. Approximatly 20 yrs later, the Whealens some of the Collins, Daggs and other relatives bought cheap good land 300 miles to the west in newly opened up bush country in the Kincardine, Bruce County area. Patrick ended up owning 200 acres of good farm land and had 11 surviving children, the 9th, William Whalen b 15 Jul 1858 (kincardine) d 1886 (Fenwick Twp, Algoma Dist.) was my Great Grandfather and was responcible for moving my line up to Northern Ontario and the Sault area.

I have been trying to break through this roadblock for years, and even alot of dna geniological testing has failed to find any info beyond whats stated above. I would appreciate any help and my email is   whalenm@shaw.ca

thanks

Mike

 

 

Wednesday 26th Dec 2012, 08:37PM

Message Board Replies

  • Hi Mike,

     

    Thanks for your message.

     

    You obviously have done alot of work on your family history and I can imagine how frustrating it must be to have hit the genealogical wall! I have passed your message on to one of our volunteers from the area, so hopefully they will be able to help or give you some advice on which direction to go in from here.

     

    Kind regards,

     

    Genealogy Support

     

    Wednesday 13th Feb 2013, 01:12PM
  • I am Michael Newton Collins, son of James Robert Collins, son of Hugh Campbell Collins, son of Isaac Newton Collins, son of Edward (Ned) Collins(who married 1st cousin - daughter of Thomas Collins, son of Edward) , son of Francis Collins, son of Edward Collins....1st generation in the book you mentioned.  I have a copy and have been doing some entires on Ancestry.com.   I find myself in the same boat.  Some of the Collins family of Canada came down to North Dakota to visit many years ago when I was young.

    Friday 14th Jun 2013, 05:00AM

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