What I know (or have some evidence of):
1. My gg-grandparents, James (1816 -1876) and Mary Ann Murtagh (1822-1895) were married in 1843 in Liscannor. James may have been born in Liscannor as well.
2. My great-uncle, Thomas Downs, was born and baptised in Liscannor about November 21,1844
Their next child, Mary, was also born and baptised in Liscannor in February 1847. She died in 1849 in Port Huron, Michigan. The assumption is that they emigrated from Ireland at some point in between those dates.
The family settled in Emmet,MI and the other children (Frances, David, John, and Michael) were born there.
Michael (1861-1937) is my great-grandfather and he settled in Hurley, WI after his marriage to my great-grandmother, Mary Burns.
My father, who is the son of their daughter, Marguerite Donna Downs (1892-1939), used to say that his Irish ancestors were "Northern wetbacks" who came into Michigan from Canada.
I briefly visited Liscannor in 2022 and hoped to find out more about my family or even any relatives that may have remained there. Unfortunately, I was unable to find out anything while there.
If anyone has any information about this family that can be shared or any ideas of records that may be helpful, I would appreciate it!
CeceliaD
Friday 6th Dec 2024, 09:21PMMessage Board Replies
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Cecelia,
On the free site, clarelibrary.ie, there are the birth records for Thomas and Mary; however, the spelling of the surname has two variations. They are as follows:
Thomas Drony (22 Nov 1844), parents - James Drony & Mary Murtagh, residence - Ballyfaudeen, sponsors - Michael Fitzpatrick & Biddy Healy
Mary Downey (25 Feb 1847), parents - James Downey & Mary Murtogh, sponsors - Michael & Margaret Stack
Perhaps these are your relations.
Regards,
Carolyn
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Attached Files
Cecelia,
I attach details of the Tithe Applotment Records for the surnames - Downs - Droney and Murtagh. The surname "Downs" is more common in the Doonbeg area. None recorded for Kilmacrehy (Liscannor).
Droney and Murtagh less common. Murtagh is mainly in the parish of Killofin (Labasheeda). Townland names may have been changed in Griffith's Valuation. Kilmanaheen is Ennistymon "(Ennistimon".
Regards,
McCoy