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I am searching for the townland/parish of my great great grandfather (Michael Donovan) and great great grandmother (Johanna Godfrey). Michael emigrated to Newfoundland to take part in the migratory cod fishery around 1820. He married Johanna in 1825. She was previously married to Patrick Doody and had two children prior to her marriage to Michael. I have found evidence of Michael and Johanna's marriage in Newfoundland. Johanna (Hanna) may have come SW England (Dorset, Devonshire, Somerset etc.) Fishing merchants from this part of England organized fleets to prosocute the migratory fishery in Newfoundland. Many workers and supplies were aquired in SE Ireland (Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Cork) before heading to Newfoundland. I believe Michael arrived in Newfoundland with a Thomas, Terrance & Nicholas Donovan. I assume they are either brothers or cousins. I did find a record of marriage for Thomas from Ross, Wexford. I have been looking in that area but haven't broken through the brick wall yet. I am in the process of researching the RC parish records at NLI. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Tom

Tom D

Tuesday 17th Jun 2014, 08:59PM

Message Board Replies

  • Dear  tdonovan

    Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

    There are two websites you can search for Cork Ancestors:

    (1) www.rootsireland.ie have a large collection of Irish Church records, however you have to pay to use this site. I had a quick look here but could not see any marriage for a Donovan-Godfrey.

    (2) You could also check: http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/ for other Cork parish records as not all of Cork is covered by rootsireland above. 

    Let us know if you locate any further information

    Best wishes

    Clare Doyle

    Genealogy Support 

    Clare Doyle

    Monday 23rd Jun 2014, 09:20AM

  • Maybe your descendents came to NL in a similiar manner as mine, to fish. Back in the late 1700 to mid 1800 a firm by the of Sweetman would bring over fisherman and planters to work in NL for them. Some stayed over the winter while others returned to Ireland. Many Irishmen stayed, married, and help develop NL. I am looking for information on Sweetman Co. with boat records, names of young Irishmen who worked for them, etc. Any information would be helpful.Good luck with your search.

     

    Hartigans of Newfoundland

    Tuesday 24th Jun 2014, 12:49AM

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