McGraths (or Magraths) in Meath

Hi Scott

Peter McGrath's birth record would not exist but his baptism (within 3 days of birth if RC) can be found on Roots Ireland. The only other sibling on record there is Julia McGrath born 1855. 

Peter was baptised on 18-Oct-1839 in the RC parish of Ardcath to Mathew Magrath & Mary Magrane. His godparents were John  Magrath and Mary Magrath.

You can presume that  Mary was also a sibling of Matt, as godmothers were recorded by their maiden name, even when married. 

Mary McGrath was married to Patrick Rodgers (and they invited Matt Magrath to godparent for them in 1830).

John McGrath was married to Mary Farrell (and they invited Mary Magrane to godparent for them in 1831).

In 1835, both Matt & John Magrath are recorded in Tankardstown. 

It looks like Matt Magrath remarried ...

Juia Magrath was baptised 15-Feb-1855 in the RC parish of Ardcath to Mathew Magrath & Eleanor Shiel. Her godparents were Matthew White & Alice Sheil.

In 1855 Matthew McGrath was recorded at farm #4a Tankardsdstown, and  Pat Magrath next-door at #5a.

Thank you, Rua!!

Not just for the finds, but also for the education.

Was it common for a sibling to be made a godparent? I would have assumed that an aunt, grandparent etc. would be more common. Are there any records of a Magrath family having a generation without a "Mary"? :)

I'd love to talk to you about the process that you used to gather your info. I had found the baptismal record from a couple of different sources, but considered it a wall since I could find nothing beyond it.

This information is fantastic!

-Scott

Hi Scott

To clarify ... particularly in Co Roscommon, Catholics in the mid-to-lower income brackets invited their own siblings and siblings in law (the aunt or uncle of the child but the sibling of one of the parents) to godparent. Does that make sense?

So, in a list of baptisms for a couple, you should take note of the godparents. REALLY helpful. All sorts of brick walls can be broken down this way. And yes, I have a process!

There is a John McGrath, married to Margaret with a daughter Jane, living in Tankardstown in the 1901 Census on a 3 building farm.

Could this be Peter's older brother brother John? This John would have been born in 1834 (if he didn't lie on the census) which would be about right,.

I sure do wish that there was some way to find out where "House #6" was, in order to confirm.

So a few updates have occurred over the past few months on my search for the Meath Magraths; although I have found no information going back from Matthiew Magrath and Mary Magrain (no birthdates (even (c) yet on either), or Matthiew's parents, John Magrath and Mary Andrews, who I only have names for... I did find the people currently living at the farm where Matthiew and Mary raised their family. Myfamily sprung from their son, Peter, who emmigrated to the US in 1865, and the family at the farm are the offspring of Peter's older brother, John. So I now have John's line going forward.

There is something quite odd that I have found as a result of my last post, and @Rua's find that Matthiew remarried Ellen Shiel (in 1854 - I also found their marriage record in the Parish records). Matthiew's first son was born in 1834... but after the daughter Julia that Rua found from his marriage to Ellen Shiel, he had another daughter, Jane... in 1875?! This doesn't "feel" right, having his first and last child 41 years seperated from each other, but in the parish records, there does seem to be a constant line.

Could there be another son, Matthiew (perhaps born before John) who was actuaually the Matthiew Magrath who married Ellen Shiel in 1854? (That's 20 years after the birth of John... so I'm thinking we have two generations of Matthiew here.)

-Scott

Hi Scott,

I too have traced my Great Grandfather to Meath (Oldcastle) after ordering his death certificate and it revealed the names of his parents, Michael J McGrath and Mary E. Gibney.

My Half Brother did a YDNA test for me, I also have my own.

My email is kathannshea@gmail.com if you want to reach out.

GEDMATCH 

HC4134110 & JA8595155

Scott, I cannot help you with your reqyests, but you say you want to know more about where it was.  I wonder if this address might help you. Three areas have been identified : Clonalvy, Tankardstown and Stamullin.  This takes you to all three : https://www.townlands.ie/meath/upper-duleek/clonalvy/stamullin/tankards…