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Hello!

I've been trying to break through a brick wall for one of my most recent and stongest lines of Irish ancestry and believe I've followed the family back to Leitrim, and DNA supports this, but I'm not finding documentation and hoping some of you here may be able to help.

My 3nd great grandfather, Michael McDermott first appears in a wedding record at the cathedral in Quebec in 1847 marrying a woman named Catherine Connell. The record says his parents are a John and Margaret McDermott, and the wedding is witnessed by a Thomas McDermott who I assume is possibly a relative. Shortly thereafter, he had a son Hugh, and moved south to Ottawa; I assume for work. While living just outside of Ottawa in Lanark County, he had at least 2 more children, Edward Patrick and Michael. By 1853 he's dissapeared into the ether, but before he fell off the map, he'd shown up on an 1851 census that said he was from Leitrim and born around 1824. His wife Catherine was listed as being from King's County, which I believe is now Offaly and born around 1830. This all was at the height of the famine and record immigration into Quebec's Grosse Ile, so I assume he was a recent immigrant. 

In trying to use DNA to pin down the location of the match, I tested on Ancestry and FTDNA. By far my two strongest McDermott matches are to descendents of the McDermott families at Kiltyclogher and Black Mountain. I'm striking out though in finding any records or paper trail to confirm this. If I'm looking for a Michael McDermott born around 1824, to a John and Margaret McDermott, what's my best bet? Or is there any solid record of the famine emigrants around '47 from this area? I imagine probably not, but fingers crossed. I'm including screenshots of the marriage record and census, and would appreciate any help you're able to give.

Thanks, and happy new year!

tripstakepeople

Friday 3rd Jan 2020, 10:01PM

Message Board Replies

  • tripstakepeople:

    Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

    It will be very difficult to find any documentation for Michael McDermott. The RC baptismal records for Cloonclare start in 1841 and civil registration did not start until 1864.

    The Griffiths Valuation head of household listing for Cloonclare civil parish from 1857 shows https://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/leitrim/cloonclare.htm  over 30 McDermott records so it was a very popular surname in the parish.

    I think your best bet is your DNA matches.

    I did locate an 1831 baptismal record for a Catherine Connell in Co. Offaly. Use this record as a lead.

    Name:Catherine ConnelDate of Birth:
    Date of Baptism:03-Aug-1831Address:
    Parish/District:BANAGHERGender:FemaleCountyCo. Offaly
    Denomination:Roman Catholic
    Father:John ConnelMother:Sarah "n/r"

    Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Saturday 4th Jan 2020, 02:18PM

  • Roger,

    I'd hit a pretty solid roadblock but have 2 other vague leads. I'd be curious if you'd put any weight into any of these, and how you'd suggest I pursue them, if it's even possible

    I looked through the tithe applotments and as you said, there were many, many McDermotts. There were only 7 John McDermotts though, and one of them was in Rossinver, which appears to only be 6km from Kiltyclogher. I also looked for John & Sarah as parents to other children hoping that maybe they had kids spanning a period past when record keeping started, and I did find a John & Margaret McDermott who baptized a son, Hugh, in Cloonclare in 1842. Hugh is a recurring name through generations and the location also seems to be quite close. So it's not much, but it's something I guess. Any thoughts on the best way to proceed? My DNA matches are like flashing lights and alarms that this is the right area, but I'm stuck on how to nail it down any further.

    Thanks - I appreciate any insight you've got.

    Chris
     

     

     

     

     

     

    tripstakepeople

    Monday 6th Jan 2020, 03:23AM

  • Chris:

    I looked through the civil marriage and death records in the Manorhamilton district up to 1890 but did not see any promising leads for either Hugh, John or Margaret McDermott.  It is possible that the 1842 Hugh McDermott baptismal record is for your family but with the surname being so common there is no way to confirm. Your only hope is to match someone on DNA who has a robust tree that ties to your family records. All the best with your research!

    Roger

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Tuesday 7th Jan 2020, 02:03AM

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