Delighted to be connecting with Donegal. All of my relatives have their origins in Ireland as I understand it. My mother's side of the family have their orgins in Donegal. I would greatly appreciate assistance in finding out any information that further connects me to my ancestors and the parents, siblings and other relatives of my family members I list below, that came from Ballybofey, so many years ago.
As I understand it, my great-grandmother Catherine Dougherty was born in Ballybofey, Donegal, Ireland in March of the year 1865. She emegrated from Ireland to the USA and arrived on the ship named the Illinois, in Philadelphia, Pennylvania on May 15, 1880. It is striking to think she left home at only 15 years of age.
My great-grandfather Phillip Hannigan was also born in Ballybofey, Donegal, Ireland in August of 1854. He emegrated from Ireland to the USA and arrived on a ship named Lord Clive in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 22, 1882. Phillip was 28 years old when he immigrated to the USA. I wonder did he follow Catherine here? Or did they happen to become aquainted because they lived in a primarily Irish community in the USA? It would be wonderful to know their homes location in Ballfofey and the approximate distance between them.
Both Catherine and Phillip are but the bridge from the USA to Ireland for my family that I look forward to crossing to further discover my roots.
bclynch1
Wednesday 31st Dec 2014, 09:27PMMessage Board Replies
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Bethann:
The Catholic Church for Ballybofey is actually in Stranolar Co. Tyrone. Not sure how much you know about the area but Ballybofey and Stranolar are twin towns on either side of the River Finn in East Donegal and West Tyrone. http://www.stranorlarparish.com/contacts.htm
Records for Stranolar RC parish are online starting in 1877 (on Roots Ireland).I have a reference book which indicates that records for that parish exist back to 1860 so it is possible that a baptismal record exists for Catherine. Next summer the National Library is placing the RC parish registers online. I would search the Stranolar records to see what you can find.
Civil registration started in 1864 in Ireland. I looked for a Catherine Dougherty record in the Stranolar registration district. There were no records. The name Doherty is much more common in Donegal so it is possible she was Doherty in Ireland. There is an 1866 and two 1867 births registered in the Stranolar district for Catherine Dohertys..
It is also possible that Catherine made herself younger when she came to the States.
I did find a Patrick Dougherty and his family in the 1901 census for Ballybofey.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Donegal/Stranorlar/Bal…
There are also two Hannigan families in the 1901 census for Ballybofey.
Let me know if you have questions.
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Thursday 1st Jan 2015, 12:40AM