Through DNA connections I believe that my 3x gr grandparents Bernard Gaffney and Mary Martin may have lived in Banagher, County Leitrim. In the 1847 Griffith’s Valiuation Bernard Gaffney and William Martin are neighbors. There are multiple Gaffneys and Martins shown in what seems to be a small town. Bernard and Mary’s daughter Bridget (my 2x gg) was born around 1838 and emigrated to Boston around 1850. I am planning my first trip to Ireland next year and am curious if any records might exist for these families? Is there a nearby RC church that would have been there at that time? Is there a nearby cemetery where family may be buried? Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance! -Shannon
SMGaffney
Saturday 12th Oct 2019, 10:05PMMessage Board Replies
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Hi Shannon,
I searched www.rootsireland.ie/ for Bridget's birth/baptism (1838 + - 10 years in any county) & her parents' marriage but had no luck I'm afraid.
I then searched Gaffney burial records in Banagher but every one (of the 10) has the name of the graveyard blank!!
I then tried to find the parents' births & got these:
Name:Bernard GafnyDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:13-May-1810Address:Not RecordedParish/District:COLLINSTOWNGender:MaleCountyCo. Westmeath
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:William GafnyMother:Mary MackenOccupation:Not Recorded
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:James GafnySponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Bridget GafnyName:Mary MartinDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:24-Feb-1812Address:Not RecordedParish/District:COLLINSTOWNGender:FemaleCountyCo. Westmeath
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Thomas MartinMother:Elen McLoughlinOccupation:Not Recorded
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:William MartinSponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Mary SmythName:Mary MartinDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:08-Aug-1813Address:Not RecordedParish/District:COLLINSTOWNGender:FemaleCountyCo. Westmeath
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Garrett MartinMother:Rose SheridanOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Thomas ReillySponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Mary FlanaganSo IF they grew up in the same area ...? Were they R C? Were any of their children named Garrett, Rose, Thomas, Ellen, William or Mary?
Westmeath is fairly close to Leitrim so perhaps?
Col
ColCaff, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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Col,
Thank you so much for your response! These birth records are a very interesting possibility. On Ancestry.com the birth record for Bernard Gaffney shows mother's maiden name as Mackew. I have several Gaffney side matches with McHugh and McCue in their trees, as well as McLoughlin and McLaughlin as shown in one of the Mary Martin birth records. I don't know how common all the names are, but they've stood out to me and I've been trying to figure out how/if I belong to them.
I don't know if Bernard and Mary had any other children, but their daughter (my gg grandmother) is named Bridget Ellen. Bridget's children, in order of birth are (names common to the records are bolded):
Francis Edmund
John Joseph
Thomas
William Martin
Mary
Robert Emmett LeeI never would have thought to look in another county. Thank you for opening up this possiblity!
One more question if you know...we were told that Bridget and her husband both came from Sligo. It looks like Bridget may have lived in Banagher, County Leitrim, just a few years before immigrating. Could Banagher ever have been considered part of County Sligo?
Shannon
SMGaffney
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Hi Shannon,
There is a Carrickbanagher in Sligo....?
Col
ColCaff, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘