Kavanaugh

Hi Maureen

Thank you for your query. What sources have you used to research your family up to now? including information concerning which sources you have already used makes it easier for volunteers to help you. 
I believe that the correct spelling of the name that you are researching is Kavanagh. You can do a little further research on the surname in Ireland through the link below:

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/

Firstly  Maureen I would recommend that you search the emigration records. Generally more information was given at the port of arrival rather than the port of departure. If you knew which city he arrived at (e.g. Liverpool, New York, etc.), this could be a good place to find more information. -And perhaps even find out an exact place of origin.

Ellis Island: http://www.ellisisland.org/search/passSearch.asp  (1892-1924)

Castlegarden: http://www.castlegarden.org/    (1820-1892)

US National Archives/Immigration info: http://www.archives.gov/research/immigration/

Hopefully you will find an exact place of origin for Michael or even a port of departure . If the departure port was in the UK you can search passenger lists online:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/

To further your research or find any existing church records on Michael and his wife Mary you will need the place of origin. 

you can view what Roman Catholic records exist for various parishes through the link below: 

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/  (Browse Roman Catholic Parish Map)

For Church of Ireland records see: http://ireland.anglican.org/about/42 and http://www.nationalarchives.ie/.  The Anglican Record Project is has created an index to their records: http://ireland.anglican.org/cmsfiles/pdf/AboutUs/library/AngRecord/bunclodyunionindex.pdf

Here are some other websites that may be of help to you:

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/browse/

http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/

http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx

http://ifhf.rootsireland.ie/?gclid=CKLT_Pa4wrUCFYUf4Qod4EoAGg

I hope that this information is of help to you Maureen. Please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Kind regards,                    

Genealogy Support 

I have not been back to this site for quite some time but am finally here.

First,thank you for your detailed response and suggestions. I did attempt to

find something but had no luck. I think the fact that my great great grandfather

was born before there was much in the way of accessible information it makes it doubly difficult.

He was in Pennsylvania around 1840 early and was married with one son. From there they went to Massachusettes and then to Lewiston, Maine. I will continue to look through immigration and ship records to see if anything pops up. A Kavanaugh cousin and I plan a trip to Ireland in late March for one week so we hope to have at least a place(county, town) to go to.

Thank you again for yuor assistance. If anything else comes to mind it will be well appreciated.

Best, Maureen