William Finneran/Fineran, born 1825, possibly this parish

seafins:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I searched the subscription site Roots Ireland and did not find a record for William. The baptismal records for the RC parish (Creggs/Glinsk) do not start until 1831 whcih likely explains not finding William's record.

You may want to add William's story to our XO Chronicles site and possibly someone will see a connection.  https://www.irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/history-and-genealogy/ancestor-dat…

Have you considered DNA testing?

Roger McDonnell

Thanks, Roger. I did National Geographic's a couple years ago but it does not get that specific. What do you recommend? I hear they may harvest data...? AF

AF:

I don't want to recommend a specific company. The main testing companies are Ancestry, 23 and Me, Family Tree DNA and My Heritage.

Roger

Hi, I am Ann's twin sister Mary.  I have found corroboration that William's parents were John Cornelius Finneran and Mary Catherine? Finneran.  That said, my sister and I are trying to find a definite connection to Peter Francis Finneran (1760 - 1836 Roscommon)as JC's father? (married Mary Catherine Brennan).  I found what appears to be a JC sibling Hugh as being born in Ballintober, but again records not there before 1831, it seems.  any info, especially on Peter Francis's children or a pointer as to where to look would be most appreciated.  Thanks! Mary Finneran

Hi Mary!

I would love to be able to assist you but with the lack of available records, not sure we can find data for your family. I checked the Tithe listings for the 1820s and do not see any Finneran records in Ballintober or Drumatemple parishes which is likely where they were from. Did you pursue DNA testing with a company other than National Geographic? 

Roger McDonnell

Hi Roger, thanks for getting back to me.  I did DNA with Ancestry.com and sister Ann did update with 23 and me, interesting as we are identical twins with supposed identical dna but there were some differences! Regarding mine I didn't see anything very specific, more general for NW Ireland and elsewhere... Can you point out how this makes a difference in finding ancestors?  I have connected with matches but few have any more information.  thanks again, Peace, Mary 

Mary:

Ancestry by far is the biggest compamy and you will get the most matches on that site. What you are hoping to find are matches that have Finneran connections and more info on the family than you have. I think you can load your data to Family Tree DNA and My Heritage for free which will give you more matches. One of my greatest frustrations is that many matches won't respond back to your message.

Roger

Hi Roger, I have been on ancestry for about two years.  As you say, many matches don't respond and actually those who have responded reached the same blocks. I am 90% sure that Peter is the definitive ancestor.  I am not signed on to any parishes in Roscommon but may try Balintober.  I am signed on to Athos for another line.  If anything ever comes your way, please let me know.  Thanks alot, Peace, Mary

Roger,

On 23andMe, I verified through my brother's DNA the paternal haplogroup of Finnerans as R-Z8 (some have a more specific variant). Of all my relatives there, I have my first cousin I know well and found 3rd or 4th cousin Finnerans, including those with different last names but Finneran ancestors, but they have no verifying information. Nobody can find Willie...

Hi Roger,

Allow me to clarify. Genetic 4th cousins with the surname Finneran also showed the paternal haplogroup R-Z8 in 23 and Me.

I have since downloaded my genome but haven't the foggiest what to do with it.

His parents were John [Cornelius?] and [Mary] Catherine Heavy (Healy?), and he may have been born in 1823.

I don't think there are genetic differences between my twin sister and me, I think it has to do with the difference in genetic calculations between Ancestry and 23andMe. Ancestry does not define the paternal haplogroup, for instance.