Margaret Curran recorded on two of her children's birth records that she was born on Tory Island, in around 1843. On her death record, a daughter names her parents as Mary Meanan & John Curran, a Fisherman; but this same daughter also stated that Margaret was born in Cork, so parents names are not definite. Margaret named 2 of her daughters Mary, so I feel that her mother's first name is probaly correct. Margaret arrived into Newcastle, NSW when she was around 16yrs. I have found some possibilities, a Nursrmaid from Gweedore, but nothing definite. It is possible that Margaret's mother was Mary Curran, born abt 1820 & died 26 feb 1857 in Derrycommon, Gortahork. I know that her mother was alive when Margaret left for NSW, as she gave her daughter her Rosary Beads. It is possible that Margaret had a brother James, born abt 1842, who came to NSW around the same time as Margaret. Can anyone suggest where I look next? My thanks in anticipation
cypress1
Friday 13th Apr 2018, 12:59AMMessage Board Replies
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cypress1:
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!
Records for the RC parish of Gortahork/Tory Island/Tullaghobegley East do not start until November 1849 for baptisms and 1861 for marriages. They also have death records from 1849-1869. Unfortunately, the records for this parish are not on Roots Ireland so you will have to scan the register https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/1016 to look for possible younger siblings of Margaret or a possible death record for the parents.
I looked at the 1830 Tithe records for Tullaghobeley civil parish and did not see any Curran records but did find two Meenan records on Tory Island.
http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/results.jsp?…
The 1857 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing for the parish has a large number of Currans and two Meenan records on Tory Island.
http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/donegal/tullaghobegley.htm
Also, I'm wondering if the Derrycommon in your message is Derryconor?
Have you considered autosomal DNA testing?
You can also add Margaret's story to our XO Chronicles site https://www.irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/history-and-genealogy/ancestor-dat…
I would also look at prior Curran messages on our message board using the search routine.
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Friday 13th Apr 2018, 04:23PM -
cypress1:
I located four Meenan households on Tory Island in the 1901 census and one Curran household.
Roger
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Donegal/Meenaclady/Tor…
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Donegal/Meenaclady/Tor…
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Donegal/Meenaclady/Tor…
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Donegal/Meenaclady/Tor…
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Donegal/Meenaclady/Tor…
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Friday 13th Apr 2018, 04:41PM -
Derryconor makes much more sense, and on looking at the record is right. I can't find anything better, so I think this is Margaret's mother. I continue to look through all you suggestions. I can find no relevent Curran info on the messageboard. Thank you Roger
cypress1
Sunday 15th Apr 2018, 11:12AM