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Hi all.
Looking for some help as have hit a dead end.

I am looking for info on the Earlys and Kerrigans/Corrigans but have very little info to go on. We are trying to find where in Mayo Catherine was from but cannot find anything on them in Ireland.

All we know is
Catherine Kerrigan née Early was born 1844 in Mayo
She married Michael Kerrigan born circa 1841

We think we have found a marriage in 1862 we think may be them.
Marriage: 28 Feb 1862 St John the Baptist, Rochdale, Lancashire, England
Michaelem Keragan - Smallshaw
Catherinam Early - Smallshaw
Groom's Father: Petri Keragan
Bride's Father: Michaelis Early
Witness: Petro McDonnel; Bridgetta McDonel

In the 1860s they are on the census in Shifnal in Shropshire where their children are born.

They disappear completely for a while and then turn up again in Shifnal

In 1881 census they are in Pemberton in England with children Margaret, Ellen and Michael and an Irish lodger called Patrick Flaney

In 1908 she dies in Clegg Street Tyldesley in England.
Michael her husband had died in the workhouse a few years before.

We know nothing at all about them before they reach England.

Desperate for help!

Shell

Saturday 14th May 2022, 12:21PM

Message Board Replies

  • Shell:

    I searched on the subscription site Roots Ireland and as you already found out there are no baptismal records for Catherine Early and Michael Kerrigan/Corrigan in Co. Mayo in the early 1840s. Many Mayo RC parishes have records starting after 1840 and likely your ancestors were baptized in one of those parishes.

    The 1855 Griffiths Valuation may provide some leads but there are disclaimers. First, Peter Kerrigan/Corrigan and Michael Early may have moved to England doing the Famine with their families or if they stayed in Ireland they may have died pre-1855. Also, even if they were in Ireland that may not have leased land and for all these reasons may not have been on the Griffiths. See the list below. The word after the first name is the townland followed by the civil parish.

    Have you considered DNA testing? You may matches which will provide more info on these lines.

    Roger McDonnell

    GriffithEarlyMichaelRathoonaghKilbrideCo. Mayo

    GriffithEarlyMichaelBreaghwyanteeanKilfianCo. Mayo

    GriffithEarlyMichaelGortatoorLackanCo. Mayo

    GriffithCorriganPeterSraheensAchillCo. Mayo

    GriffithCorriganPeterSraheensAchillCo. Mayo

    GriffithCorriganPeterClagganKilcommonCo. Mayo

    GriffithCurriganPeterTallaghKilcommonCo. Mayo

    GriffithCurriganPeterCastlehillKilcommonCo. Mayo

    GriffithCurriganPeterClagganKilcommonCo. Mayo

    GriffithCurriganPeterShrahweeKilgeeverCo. Mayo

    GriffithCurriganPeterFahburrenOughavalCo. Mayo

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Saturday 14th May 2022, 12:48PM

  • Thank you so much, will have a look at the Griffith records.

    We have found a record that we think may be Catherines Mum and Dad Margaret and Michael Early in England in 1861 in Staffordshire but they are not on the English 51 census so we are thinking they might have come over between then. They were born in Mayo in the very late 1700s and early 1800s too.

    I think DNA might be the only way to go!

    Thanks again!

    Shell

    Sunday 15th May 2022, 11:06AM

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