My ancestor Edward Donnelly married Margaret McCormick on 12 January 1858 in Providence, Rhode Island. Margaret was born in Ireland to Owen and Catherine. Edward was born in Ireland to William and Mary. Edward was 28 years old when he married. I would like to know where in Ireland my family came from. Historical records indicate that many Irish in Providence came from Tyrone. Donnelly is a common name in Tyrone. I visited Tyrone last year but have no idea where in Ireland my ancestors lived. I have read that records prior to 1864 are scarce in Ireland. How can I research my Donnelly and McCormick ancestors?
James Donnelly
Jimmy
Wednesday 16th Oct 2019, 12:34AMMessage Board Replies
-
Hi Jimmy,
I searched www.rootsireland.ie/ for the birth/baptisms of Edward & Margaret without success
I then tried to find the parents' marriages and got these (which have very little info completed!):
Date of Marriage:13-Feb-1831
Parish / District:COLLINSTOWN
County:Co. Westmeath
Husband OwenMcCormack Bachelor (Previously unmarried) Denomination:Roman Catholic
Wife: CatherineMerryman Spinster (Previously unmarried) Denomination: Roman CatholicWitness 1Thomas Drum
Witness 2 MichaelMastersonDo you know if they were R C or C of I?
No luck with the Donnellys as there is a marriage in 1804 then another in 1832:
Date of Marriage:08-Mar-1832
Parish / District:Enniscorthy
County:Co. Wexford
Husband
WifeName:WilliamDonnolly
MaryKavanaghAddress:
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Roman CatholicWitness 1Witness 2Name:EdwardGoughMaryBolger
Bear in mind that Edward's reported age in 1858 may have been a guess or a miscalculation as there were a lot of inaccuracies in birth years from miscalculations & mistranscriptions. In many instances, no notice was taken of birth dates & errors made when they were required due to illiteracy & innumeracy.
IF they were R C the above could be yours but if not probably not unless they converted later.
I imagine you have checked the US Censuses - they only have Ireland & no county!!
The 1821 Irish Census (free at http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/) has 3 William Donnellys but none has wife Mary!
Better luck with Owen McCormick:
Residents of a house 18 in Aughnahidena (Kilbride, Cavan)
SurnameForenameAgeRelation to head
McCormickOwen30-Farmer & Weaver
McCormickCatherine27Wife
-McCormickThomas4
Son-McCormickAlly2Daughter
Frustrating for you that it is inconclusive Jimmy. I don't know much about dna testing but wonder whether it would help you to identify the county?
Col
ColCaff, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
-
Thank you Col!
Yes, the US records only list Ireland, no county. Our family has been Roman Catholic for as long as we know, so I guess my Irish ancestors were RC. My grandfather was not sure what year he was born so I understand that Edward Donnelly 's recorded age at his 1858 marriage may be inaccurate. Are Ulster records in a separate database? I read about a bishop of Clogher, James Donnelly, that visited the US in the mid 1800s. His diary described many Irish from Tyrone in Providence, Rhode Island at that time. I also understand that Donnellys were more commonly found in Ulster. I very much appreciate your help and research. This is amazing! I have tried DNA testing but it matched hundreds of 3rd to 5th cousins, from various locations today. Chieftains are scattered far.......thanks again. You found Owen McCormick married 13 February 1831. What year was the census where he is listed as 30 and married to Catherine, age 27?
Jimmy
Jimmy
-
Hi Jimmy,
Same census - 1821
Good question re Ulster records; have a look on PRONI (Public Records of Northern Ireland) https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/
They have Will Calendars from before 1858 so maybe some of yours there hopefully
Col
ColCaff, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
-
Col,
If Owen and Catherine were married on 13 February 1831, then they must not be the same couple in the 1821 census? Were most marriages in the bride's parish?
v/r
Jimmy
Jimmy
-
Ah sorry - that rules them out. Yes mostly in bride's parish
col
ColCaff, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘