Michael A. McDermott/Ann Farrell-Elphin/Athleague

Hello Rick and Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out

I could find no Farrellin in Elphin but there are some Farrell families in the Griffith Valuations c1857

Do you know Ann's fathers name by any chance or have you done your DNA which might help narrow down the areas your ancestors came from

Do you think Michael was also from Elphin or Roscommon

Geraldine

Rick:

The subscription site Roots Ireland has numerous Michael McDermoot baptismal records in Co. Roscommon with at least six in 1834. There are also a number of Ann Farrell records but none in 1837. As Geraldine indicated, we would need the fathers names and preferably the maiden name of the mothers of Michael and Ann. It is also possible that one or both were baptized in a parish that no longer has records back to the 1830s.

Roger McDonnell

Hi Geraldine and Roger,

Thank you for your prompt reply and appreciate both of you looking into the baptismal records. Geraldine-I did have an Ancestry DNA test performed and the results for Ireland list only "Roscommon" and do not specify if that is the County or the town itself.

My inquiry was based upon research performed by a second cousin and posted to Ancestry. I'm attaching .doc listing my Great, Grand Mother Mary McDermott, and her parents as Michael A. and Ann McDermott  Unfortunately I do not have their parents' names and would like to obtain further information about the families in Ireland.  I guess that's what all Irish decedants would like to know though.

If you have any suggestions on how to proceed from here please let me know. I will try to make some inquiries with 2-3 cousins if there are any family records to trace back.

Cheers,

Rick

Rick:

Here is the parish register for Athleague RC parish which is in the Diocese of Elphin  https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0537  As you can see in the index, there is a gap in baptismal records from May 1828-August 1834. The subscription site Roots Ireland has a January 11 1836 baptismal record in Athleague for a Michael McDermott with father John McDermott and mother Catherine (no maiden name provided). I'm inclined to believe that this record is not for your ancestor but I would hold the record as a lead. Most likely your Michael was baptized in the gap period. I guess one question would be the name of the oldest son of Michael and Ann in America.

There were no Ann Farrell baptismal records in Athleague RC parish.

Roger

Roger,

Thanks again for your help. I took another look at the family tree that was prepared for my 3rd cousin in Ancestory and I think there may be a few bread-crumbs that we can follow. It was prepared by a hired researcher in Ancestory, but I am finding some discrepancies. She has Michael McDermott's birth date as September 1834 which may be a potential lead and around the gap you mentioned in the baptismal records.

Also in the above document is a screenshot a record of the marriage of Ann and Michael and is identified as being from the Diocese of Elphin in the header. My eyes must be old and I can't make out the handwriting, can you place it as being from Elphin? Unfortunately, I could not open the link you had provided.

The first son is listed as Patrick McDermott born about 1863 in Liverpool, England. The next and US-born from their marriage son is listed as Thomas McDermot, born 10, Jan 1865 in New York.

The final bread-crumb is Michael's obituary which I included and has him as 67 years old at the time of death in 1905, which would make his birth year 1838, not 1834 as the researcher has posted.

Hopefully, that will help in your search, and again much appreciated!

Cheers,

Rick 

Rick:

Hopefully, this link we take you to the main page of the NLI parish register site  https://registers.nli.ie/   Enter Athleague in the search field and the register should come up.

The February 6 1862 marriage took place in the Athleague RC church. Athleague church is part of the Diocese of Elphin.

Usually, the first son was named after his paternal grandfather but this convention was not always followed. Looks like Ann's father was Patrick but maybe Micharel's father was also a Patrick.

Ages on census records, death records etc in the 19th century or early 20th century was inexact. So 67 may have been what Michael McDermott had led his family to believe but may have been understated.

Roger

Roger, 

Sorry for the delay-life/work has been busy the past couple of weeks. Thanks again for your assistance with confirming that my ancestor Michael McDermott's marriage took place in the Athleague RC church.

Would you have any suggestions to trace the family back further -cemeteries, possibly house names etc.

Cheers,

Rick

Rick:

We can't locate baptismal records for Michael and Ann. The 1862 marriage record does not show the townland where they each lived. Unfortunately for you, civil registration of RC marriages started in 1864. Civil marriage records show the townland for the bride and groom and also the names of the fathers of the bride and groom.

The Griffiths Valuation for Co. Roscommon was conducted around 1855. We don't know if the father of Michael was still living in 1855 but if he was and he was leasing land in Athleague parish, he would be one of the four listed below. Patrick would be my best guess.

Michael McDermott Liscoffy (Madden) townland

Michael McDermott Liscoffy (Kelly) townland

Patrick McDermott Gorteencloogh or Corra More townland

Peter McDermott Gorteencloogh or Corra More townland

Roger