My g-g-grandfather John Joseph Hammill was born about 1820 and according to the family Bible, John's father was Patrick Hammill and he died in Gorteen in 1849 at age 75 (however the age does not seem quite right, perhaps he was a grandfather). According to family lore, John came to the USA with a brother named Patrick.
John married Ann Burns in Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County, New York in 1851 and he purchased a homestead in Minnesota. The family story is that John's brother Patrick didn't like Minnesota and returned east, but we don't know what became of him.
I see many Hamill families in the 1901 and 1911 Censuses and in Griffiths in Gorteen, but have not been succesful in finding John's baptism record to confirm that he came from Gorteen and to find the names of his parents. Am hoping that there are still Hamill families living in Inishkeen that might know the history of the family.
Angela
Friday 27th Feb 2015, 08:44PM
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Angela:
I'm going to assume your Hamill ancestors were RC based on the religion of the Hamills in Gorteen in the 1901 census. Unfortunately, the Inishkeen RC records do not start until 1837. Roots Ireland has them starting in 1845.
I also looked at the 1854 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing for Inishkeen civil parish. There were twelve Hamill records in Gorteen.
http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/louth/inishkeen.php
I checked the online Irish phone book. There were 27 Hamill entries in Co. Louth but none of the records showed Gorteen.
http://www.eircomphonebook.ie/
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Friday 27th Feb 2015, 11:57PM -
Thank you, Roger.
Yes, the Hamills were RC. I didn't realize the records didn't start until 1837 but perhaps I can still find the Patrick Hamill that died in 1847-1849. I looked at the Griffiths previously for Gorteen and was struck by the number of Johns and Patricks and I believe I also saw a John Joseph, which was the name of my g-g-grandfather. My experience with my other Irish ancestors is that they had certain family names that were used repetitively so this, in my opinion, might be a good sign.
Angela
Saturday 28th Feb 2015, 02:24AM