Share This:

My great grandfather, Owen McIntire, was supposedly born in Galway but somehow ended up in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal married and had children there prior to immigrating to Springfield, MA.  I've done DNA tests and can confirm this was my great grandad but we are the "second family" and have no documentation other than his name was on my grandad and his siblings birth certificates. My great-grandmother changed the name to Brown after Owen abandoned the family right after grandad was born.  My mother was 50 when she discovered she was a McIntire not a Brown. I have found from an ancestry account handwritten note that he worked at the Brewery in Ballyshannon and he had a brother, a lawyer, who immigrated to the US owing him money. 

My family and I are visiting Ballyshannon at the end of May and I would like to be able to see if I can find out anything else about the McIntire's in the area.  Any suggestions appreciated.

Thank you.

Carol

Carol

Thursday 18th Jan 2024, 06:28PM

Message Board Replies

  • In the 1880 federal census, I found an Owen, widower, living with one of his children.

    I found in the same census a Martha McIntyre with two children named Brown--likely from an earlier marriage--and three children called McIntyre. So at that point, their names had not been changed.

    Patricia

    Friday 19th Jan 2024, 01:04AM
  • Carol,

    The surname "McIntire/McIntryre" is fairly common in County Donegal. Most are members of the Church of Ireland or  Presbyterian.

    Subscription Site www.rootsireland.ie may be able to assist. In the 1870's there is record for an Owen McIntire and an Owen McEntyre in Ballyshannon.

    Do you know the names of Owen's parents?

    Regards,

    McCoy

    Friday 19th Jan 2024, 10:33AM
  • Patricia, 

     

     Thank you.  I have seen that census and I have been to the archieves in Boston, MA and seen the amended birth certificates where Martha changed all the names to Brown.  I have been unable to locate a marriage certificate for Martha with either the Brown or the McIntyre name and it has been confusing as at one point she states she was born in St. Albans, Vermont and was a Campbell where on other records she is reportedly from Worcester, MA.  Several trips to Springfield and searching in their genealogical library and visiting city hall have not added any clarification.

     

    Carol

    Friday 19th Jan 2024, 07:05PM
  • McCoy,

    Thank you.  On my DNA it shows a strong connection to County Donegal.  Do you know if the McIntire is from Scotland....being Church of Ireland/Presbyterian makes me wonder, as I had "assumed" which one should not do, that the family was Catholic although my grandfather was raised Presbyterians so that makes sense

    Owen and his family left Ireland in the late 1840's so I imagine those left behind were relatives??  I am seriously considering going to Ireland a week before my family so that I can do research there.

     

    Carol

     

    Carol

    Friday 19th Jan 2024, 07:11PM
  • You may have seen this...On his Massachusetts marriage record, Charles states his father was Henry and his mother's maiden name Martha Campbell.

    It seems that Martha Campbell first married Henry Brown and had two children.

    Henry likely died, and then she married Owen McIntyre, who was a widower, and had a few more children.

    I hope this helps.

    Patricia

    Friday 19th Jan 2024, 08:21PM
  • Carol,

    Please see attached. I may assist you prior to your intended visit to Ballyshannon.

    Tithe Records have McIntire in Roscutt, Kilbarron (Balllyshannon) the "O" may be for "Owen"

    Credit: www.nationalarchives.ie and Donegal Genealogy Resources.

    Regards,

    McCoy

    Friday 19th Jan 2024, 08:23PM
  • thank you McCoy!  I have spent time exploring and found several McIntire's so now I have to see if there is a connection.  I don't understand the civil ejection overholding page as some of the same names I saw overholding were also on the landlord side. So many people were similarly named but were they the same family is the question I need to be able to answer.  So much to consider.

     

    Carol

    Saturday 20th Jan 2024, 11:08PM
  • Patricia,  thanks!  yes I've seen where Martha was linked to a Henry Brown and Charles and George were both from that union.  as to a marriage, once again I can't confirm this.  It was during this time that she stated for 1 child she was born in Vermont and another in Lowell, MA.  at one point in 1890 something the whole family (Martha and children) went to Burlington, VT where they are on the 1900 census but I'm not sure it is because Charles taught basketball for the YMCA there or she had family there. years of search including in Springfield itself and I can't come up with any real answers except she had all these children.  in the 1890 city directory she states she is the widow of Henry but I've never found Henry living with her.  

     

    Carol

     

    Carol

    Saturday 20th Jan 2024, 11:14PM

Post Reply