John Hannigan

Leighton:

The surname was actually Henigan in Ireland. John was born December 2 1870. His mother was Attracta Johnston.

See first record https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_retur…

He had a sister Mary born in 1872 see ninth record 

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_retur…

Another sister Attracta and a twin brother Michael baptized September 30 1876 ( I did not locate the civil record).

I did not find the marriage record.

The 1855 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing for Killasser civil parish shows a Patrick Henigan in Tumgesh. Possibly this record is for the father of John Henigan or more likely maybe the grandfather of John Henigan.

https://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/mayo/killasser.htm

Did the entire family emigrate?

Let me know if you have questions.

Roger McDonnell

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I had a suspicion that he might have been Henigan in Ireland. I know for sure Pat and his wife did not emigrate however I am not sure about his siblings. John is my great great grandfather. He died in 1906 having drowned in the Delaware River. His death certificate has listed December 25th 1872 as his birthday and lists his mother as being named Agnes. I have a feeling he probably didn't know his actual birthday and just associated it with Christmas but I am not sure. Are the names Agnes and Attracta associated together often? He married Nora Kilcoyne who was from near Aclare Co Sligo but I believe they married here in Philadelphia. Her birth year and day are also slightly different here than there. Her record lists her as Oney. I believe Attracta died in or near 1890. Thank you so much again.

Leighton:

Atty is usually the nickname for Attracta. I have not seen a connection between Agnes and Attracta but Aggie sounds like Atty.

Many immigrants used Christmas or St. Patrick;s Dat as their birthday in their new country.

My grandmother was Nora but in the 1901 census she is Oney.

Roger

Hi Leighton,

There are still some Hennigans (spelt with 2 'n's) in Kilasser and they have a heritage farm.  You can find the farm here:

http://hennigansheritage.com/

The owner is Tom Hennigan and he is extremely knowledgeable and very helpful.

He might be worth contacting?

Mick Baynes

Thank you both. I wondered if it was a simple Aggie vs Atty. Part of me feels like this would have been known by John's wife who filled out the death report but it's just like everything else I've found on him...not exact but pretty darn close. I know for sure he was from Co Mayo. I don't have 100% certainty that he is from Swinford but it's pretty reliable. Was the name Hannigan popular in other areas or Co Mayo at the time? And yes I have seen his heritage farm online. I emailed them a few years back but never heard anything. Do either of you know what parish Aclare would be? I'm not too accustomed with them as we don't really use them. Thank you both again for your responses. I hope I am not wearing thin your good graces with all of my questions.

The site notified me that there was a response to my question this morning but nothing is showing up. So whoever it is thank you I just can't see it. :)

Leighton:

Aclare is a village in Co. Sligo but not far from the Mayo border. The civil parish for Aclare would be Kilmacteige.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aclare

Roger

Leighton,

I'd follow up with Tom.  His number is on his website as  (+353) 872491402.  He has a fantastic knowledge of the area.

It's definitely worth a shot.

Mick

I sent another email yesterday and spoke with some family that is currently in the UK about maybe going to his place. I'm in Philadelphia so calling is a bit pricey. Thanks again Mick. I appreciate it.

Mick do you know Tom or just of him?

Leighton,

His heritage centre is about 20 miles from where we are here in Castlebar.  

We have many mutual friends so know him that way.

Here in the tourist office in Castlebar, we always recommend a visit to his farm to visitors looking for things to do.

I haven't seen him since before COVID.

Mick

Oh ok. Yeah covid screwed everything up. I sent him an email the other day like I said. Haven't heard back yet. Doesn't look like he uses the Facebook page very often. There hasn't been a post in some time. Hopefully he checks his email.

I'll see if I can get in touch with him.

Mick

Thank you Mick.

Hey Roger, where did you find the baptismal records for Attracta and Michael. I can not find anything for her. I do see a civil record for Michael with Pat and Atty listed as the parents but it has the date of birth as Jan 10 1877 and there is no mention of Attracta or any twin for that matter. Thank you

Leighton:

I located the baptismal records on the subscription site Roots Ireland. Below is a link to the actual parish register. The records for Michael and Attracta are on the top of the left-hand page. I'm sure the family registered the civil births late to avoid the fine they fudged the actual date of birth.

Roger

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632338#page/14/mode/1up

Would that be a September 30th date or October 1st? They have something written next to their birth but I can't make it out

Also I found Pat and Attys marriage record. I was curious however if you knew this church. It says the Roman catholic chapel of Swinford. Swinford is a district right? https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details-civil/de6b…

Leighton:

In this case the RC church was Swinford (Our Lady Help of Christians) and the civil registrars district was also Swinford. Large church just outside of town on a hill.   https://achonrydiocese.org/parishes/mayo/swinford/?doing_wp_cron=162402…

Roger

Thank you as always Roger

Hi Mick.  I'll be headed over in August. I was wondering if you were ever able to get ahold of Tom? Hope all is well for you. And you Roger

Mick, are you in touch with Tom Hennigan still? I have been trying to get a hold of him and can't seem to. Did he close?

Also Roger I found the original thread. You can disregard the last one ;)