Given

Hi Jeff,

Thank you very much for your email.

It will be much easier to trace your family if you have a more specific place of origin for them. Most Irish record sources- church records, land records, census records- are based on specific locations. Until you know a specific location within Ireland, preferably a parish or placename, it may be difficult to do anything more with these records.

Do you have any documentation belonging to the family that mentions somewhere more specific in Donegal? This can include official and unofficial documentation such as wills, census records, death records, letters, diary entries, old photographs. Sometimes a parish name may also be inscribed on a tombstone.

You could also try looking into their emigration as sometimes more infomation was given at the port of arrival rather than that of departure. For information on immigration records in the US check http://www.archives.gov/research/immigration/

Some other websites that you may find useful are:

The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/

The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx

The National Archives UK ? genealogy search: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/

The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm

Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/browse/#Donegal

Genealogy Links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/donegal/index.html

Genealogy Resources: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~donegal/

Donegal Library: http://www.donegallibrary.ie/

You could also try contacting Donegal Ancestry Centre, however a fee may apply. Here is their email:info@donegalancestry.com

I hope that some of these links are helpful. remember to post any new information that you find here. The more information you post, the more likely it is that one of our volunteers will be able to advise or assist you. Also include information concerning which sources you may have already used so others may further your search.

Kind regards,

Genealogy Support

It is my understanding that they came from Donegal town in County Donegal. I hope this helps

I have checked and double checked and the only info. I have is that they came from Donnegal in County Donnegal.  There was some sort of rift in the family as the kids got older so there is no family lore that I am aware of.

I have checked and double checked and the only info. I have is that they came from Donnegal in County Donnegal.  There was some sort of rift in the family as the kids got older so there is no family lore that I am aware of.

Hi, Jeff,

I don't suppose you have any indication that Given could have become Gibbons?  I have 2 sisters, Ann and Kate Gibbons, who were born 1834-1840 and emigrated around 1850 (according to Kate in one census).  My ggm, b. in Donegal in 1868, came to live with them in 1883.  Her mother was Mary Doherty and I have some evidence that Mary's mother was Hannah Gibbons.  Hannah was likely born 1800-1810.  My ggm's sisters gave Tirargus in Donegal as their homeland at their marriages.  I've seen Givens and Gibbons used for the same people.

Meg