Callahan Research Request - (Brief History of Ballylar Callaghan's)

Fanad is in the RC parish of Clondavoc. Their records start in 1846 so if the family come from that area you may be able to locate the baptism and parents marriage in the parish records which are on-line on the NLI site:

http://registers.nli.ie/parishes

In addition you might be able to find a birth certificate for the child which may contain more information than the baptism record.

Hi Peggy,

Thank you for getting in contact and Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I would be a Ireland-Reaching-Out Volunteer for the Parish of Clondavaddog in Donegal (Fanad &Glenvar). I would be glad to give you whatever small a bit of help I can researching your family query and connect you back to where you family would have originated from in the Parish.

I have large family Tree of all Callaghan/McElwaine and McGrenaghan Families from Clondavaddog, Fanad, up on the website Ancestry.com. Manus Callaghan and his wife Susan Sweeney and their Children would have be added to it in last few months..

I have attached a screen shot of Manus Callaghan and Susan Sweeneys family showing their children all born in Ballylar, Fanad back in the 1850's.

Madge Callaghan was born on 24 February 1851

Mary Callaghan was born on 25 December 1852

Catherine Callaghan was born on 11 February 1855

Anne Callaghan was born on 8 March 1857

Susan Callaghan was born on 01 February 1859

Catherine Callaghan was born on 13 June 1861

Charles Callaghan was born on 18 September 1863

and James Callahan was born on 14 February 1868.

Their father Manus Callaghan died on August 26, 1879, in Ballylar-Magheradrumman, Fanad, when he was 56 years old and because his age was referenced on the Record of Death, I use this as an approximate year of his Birth as being 1823..

I will send you on access to the family tree as I see your name attached to another tree on ancestry, and I will start putting together a short slideshow pdf showing map locations where Manus Callaghans family would have come from 1858 Griffith Valuation for Magheradrumman, Fanad.

I will look into finding out more about James Callahan and his family, and I will be back to you with further information soon..

Regards,

Seamus Callaghan

Thank you for the information! I have updated my Bennett Family Tree with the details. Looking forward to anything else you can provide, as we plan to visit again in 2016, and would love to visit Fanad.

Hi Peggy,

My apologies on the brief delay, It’s been a busy two weeks with Christmas Holidays and New Years. I happened to find a few documents for James Callahan such as a Birth, Death Record, and Ship Passenger Record and added them to the SLIDESHOW attached below and also to my Family Tree, which I am glad to see you accepted access to.

Here is some of the Information explained for Ballylar/Magheradrumman Area of Fanad/Clondavaddog:

1834 - TITHE APPLOTMENTS BOOK

There was FIVE references for Callaghan family living in Ballylar/Magheradrumman, Fanad.

(1) Charles Callaghan

(2) James Callaghan

(3) John Callaghan

(4) Daniel Callaghan

(5) Thomas Callaghan

1858 - GRIFFITH VALUATION:

The Griffith Valuation which was documented in 1858 in the Parish Clondavaddog has turned out to be a hugely important document for alot of families as when it is paired together with a Map produced at the time, it shows where the earlier generations of families would have had their Plots of land homes and families back in the mid 1800's, a time when the Famine in Ireland was at its worst. 

Your ancestor James Callahans father MANUS CALLAGHAN did not show up on the Griffith Valuation for Magheradrumman, however it did reference FOUR Callaghan families who all lived in a small group of houses next to each other.

There are FOUR references for Callaghan family living in Ballylar/Magheradrumman, Fanad.

Plot.1       (1a) Charles Callaghan – Medium sized House and 4 Acres of land

                (1b) James Callaghan – Small House and 2.5 Acres of land

                (1c) John Callaghan – Small House and 2.5 Acres of land

PLOT.6     (6) Daniel Callaghan (John Doney’s father) NO House and 3.5 Acres of land

         and (1h) Daniel Callaghan – Small House and NO Land

If you open the SLIDESHOW it will show you the location of theses PLOTS of land above on the old 1850's MAPS and where they are located today on GOOGLE MAPS..

1901 + 1911 CENSUS RECORDS:

There are only TWO  Callaghan Families in residence in Homes in Magheradrumman, when the Census was taken.

One of these homes would be a JOHN DONEY CALLAGHAN Family (his wife Bridget and Children) who’s home would be shown on the maps as closer to MURRIN HILL in the 1901 & 1911 Census.

The reason the strange family surname is something that is very common in Fanad to this day, as there would be many similar John Callaghan’s in such a small area it helped to distinguish the family. He would have been be referred to as John Daniels or John Doneys which is easier off the tongue. The young children in this family would for example be Paddy John Doney, or even Annie John Doney (my G-Grandmother).

John Doneys father DANIEL CALLAGHAN must have passed before 1864 as a Civil Death Record for his Death would have been recorded and available after this time, howerver...

DANIEL CALLAGHAN did however show in two PLOT locations in the 1834 Tithe Applotment.

In the 1858 Griffiths Valuation DANIEL CALLAGHAN is recorded as having a Small House and NO Land in the small group of Callaghan Homes near the current day POST OFFICE in BALLYLAR, and further up the road in plot 6 out near MURRIN as having NO House and 3.5 Acres of land. This is the plot his son JOHN DONEY CALLAGHAN built their home prior to the 1901 Census.

The other of these homes was a PATRICK CALLAGHAN and Grace family are the only Callaghan still living together in the group of houses near present day BALLYLAR POST OFFICE in 1901 and 1911.

From birth Records that have been attached to theis family you can that see that James Callahan’s father MANUS CALLAGHAN was referenced as a godparent in the baptismal record for baby Manus Callaghan b.1878.

This would lead me to believe MANUS and PATRICK quite possibly may have been brothers, and with Patrick being born in 1840 it is looking more likely that both MANUS and PATRICK their fathers might also have been DANIEL CALLAGHAN.

The other Callaghans living in that group of houses such as Charles and James I do have records for and they were born in the 1780’s which makes them more likely to be theier grandparents age and the other John and Thomas were born abt 1810 which would be very young to father MANUS CALLAGHAN as a child in 1824..mostlikely uncles instead...

Unfortunately Roman Catholic Church Records were not recorded in Clondavaddog prior to 1846. I am waiting to find out from descendants of John Doneys that still live in Murrin, Fanad, was there ever any mention of any siblings to John Doney that might confirm this.

Although it is impossible to confirm who is the father to MANUS CALLAGHAN, I do reckon that MANUS, PATRICK and JOHN DONEY are three BROTHERS and this is the location where your James Callahan would have been born back in Ballylar in 1868.

Regards

Seamus Callaghan

P.S, I am attaching a powerpoint slideshow here that shows all the records and events discribed in this reply.

DOWNLOADING it will help understand it all that bit better!

I can't thank you enough for all your help. Anything more you can provide is greatly appreciated. I have all the info for the American descendants of Jame Callaghan/Callahan.

Hi Peggy, 

I havent heard anything back on the John Doney side as of yet, however I did happen to be chatting to my father Liam Callaghan.

He was born in 1945 in his grandparents house "John McGrenaghan and Maggie McElwaines" home which is was built in 1914 right beside the Group of CALLAGHAN homes where your decendant JAMES CALLAHAN was born in 1868 and the current day BALLYLAR POST OFFICE.  

Altough he grew up in Ballylar, my father doesnt remember hearing of any group of Callaghan families living together in and around that circle of homes (as is recorded in the 1858 Griffith Valuation Maps), but he does remember an elderly gentleman called MANUS and a KITTY CALLAGHAN that lived together in a small thatched Cottage quite close to the roadside at that location.

My father was very young at the time but he remembers that Kitty was possibly Manus's sister and not his wife and he was known as Maoine Callaghan (I think it was an old Irish prononciation of Manus soundsomewhat like Man-knee).

In present day records this Manus (Maoine) was born in abt 1878 and died in 1951, which would all add up correct so far, and so this Maoine Callaghan would have been a first cousin of your James Callahan. Both their fathers MANUS abt.1824 (James) and PATRICK abt.1840 (Maoines dad) lived in same group of houses and its this older MANUS that was recorded as godparent for Maoine when he was baptised.

My dads father, Henry Callaghan who settled in Ballylar in the 1840's would have got the site of Maoine Callaghan to build their family home, just few metres up the road. This was to become my grandparents home and where my dads siblings would have born a few years later.

Maoine Callaghan and his sister Kittywould have been the last remaining of Callaghans living in and around that location in Ballylar during the mid 1900s, and my dad remembers his own father Henry looking after them into their old age, and it was only after Maoine and his sister Kitty passed away in the 1950s, that it came to be known that Maoine had actually left the land which amounted to a few fields above and below the road in Ballylar to my grandfather Henry Callaghan. A gift which I know my grandfather would have humbled by as I remember him well as being a quiet and kind natured man.

A few years later the thatched cottage that Maoine and Kitty had lived in was sold to a neighbouring SHIELS family that live there still. The cottage was taking down and a two story built family house built in its place. My dad also mensioned small foundations for a house that were built by Maoine Callaghan in the field below and another above the road that were never built upon, I suppose there might have been a time when there was word of some family that might be returning home...

My dad did say that when you might be travelling over to Fanad, that you should be sure to get in contact, that he wouldnt mind meeting you and giving you a tour around Ballylar as he would have a good knowledge of the area and all the families and friends down through the years....

I hope you dont mind me asking Peggy how long might you or the family been searching...and would it be ok if we connected though facebook as there would be alot of family such as John Doneys etc..that would be interested.

I would be easy enough found and I would have a few of really old photos of the McElwaine and McGrenaghan families that lived there in that group of houses..one in particular of my GGGrandfather John the baker McElwaine. He would have been a farmer, buther and also a Grocer similar to your MANUS CALLAGHAN recorded on his Record of Death..they were neighbours and possibly even work colleages back in the day..

Take care and Chat soon...

Seamus

I will connect with you on Facebook. This means so much us. My father and his sister (Annie Callahan's children) knew nothing of their mother's family, as her father died so young. My dad and aunt are gone now, but I and some other Callahan cousins have always wanted to know about our shared family.  

Seamus, there are a few of the same name on Facebook - not sure which is you. Also, thank you dad for his kind offer. I will definitely take him up on it!

Just an introduction for now.  

My wife, Tracey Boyle descends from these Callaghan's.  Tracey Boyle > John Boyle > William Boyle (Donegal) > Bridget Callaghan > James (Seamus Mor) Callaghan > James Anthony Callaghan > Anthony Callaghan.  I am looking for source information leading from Bridget back to Anthony.  

Thank you.

Seamus, I downloaded the book you recommended, and will start exploring that later today. Another question - could I obtain any information on Susan Sweeny - the wife of Manus Callaghan? Their son, James, is buried in Pennsylvania with a John Sweeny, so I assume there is a relationship. I would like to place a stone on the grave.

As always, thank you for all your help!

Hi Michael (mykellee)

I am looking forward to sharing any stories or information we both might have with your wife, who's family came originally from Balloor. I know you have both been back to visit the family in Fanad in the last two years and I see from your blog that you really enjoyed your experience and you got to visit with family at that time.

I have sent you on the Callaghan Family Tree, which would hav records for all Callaghan families from various Townlands in Fanad, in the Parish of Clondavaddog from approx 1760s to the 1940s).

Included within it is the Civil Marriage Record for Bridget "Biddy" Callaghan, (daughter of James "Séamié Mόr" Callaghan) and James Boyle, both from Balloor, married on the 03 February1902. 

I hope you find it interesting and I will contact you soon privately and we can take it from there..Thanks for reaching out..

Take Care Seamus

Hello Peggy,

I am glad you to thought to mention this. I had a look at the 1858 Griffith Valuation for Townlands surrounding Ballylar (Magheradrumman), where your James Callahan came from, and the townland of Ballynacrick (Ballynabrocky) there would be six Sweeney's or the variation of the name recorded as head of Home.

The name Sweeney would be a popular name back then as it is now, but this gives us a starting point. The fact that a John Sweeney was buried near James Callahan leads me to believe that both of them and their parents families were close, and hopefully with a bit more time searching the links might just come to the surface. I will let you know how I get on over next few weeks..

Taking back something from Fanad to place upon John Sweeney's grave over in Pennsyvania would a very thoughtful thing to do...Thank you Peggy

Seamus

Hi Peggy. My Father Edward Martin was born in ballynalost, Ballylar and is cousins of the Callahans and Boyles. His Father Was Patrick Martin and Mother Mary. My cousin Maura still lives on the land directly across the Atlantic from the School house which is stil there. You have to walk along the rocks to get to sch house. We are probably related. Chickie Calahan lived somewhere near us, I forget who he lived with maybe Henry Cannon who was our cousin throgh the Grandmother. They Callahans had a bar in Atlantic city, th bar is still there but not sure if the still own it even though the same sign is up. I am going to Ireland end of august, I can ask Maura more about the Callahans she might know. Go to Donegal Genealogy Research type in Callaghan Birth and Marriages it will give you a list. I have one for the Martins. It is free. I am also related to Boyles, Friels,Carrs. If you have time you can email me. mayofireland@yahoo.com

Thank you for reaching out to me, May. I have sent you a separate email!

I found this on the site I told you. donegal Genealogy research 

1857-03-08Callaghan AnneCallaghan ManusSweeney SusanClinton EdwardMcConigly Catherine
1855-02-11Callaghan CatherineCallaghan ManusSweeney SusanCarr AnthonyCallaghan Anne
1861-06-13Callaghan CatherineCallaghan ManusSweeney SusanMcG EdwardCallaghan Catherine
1863-09-25Callaghan CharlesCallaghan ManusSweeney SusanCallaghan JamesCallaghan Eleanor
1868-02-14Callaghan JamesCallaghan ManusSweeney Susan

Civil Regn1851-02-24Callaghan Mary Callaghan Manus Sweeney Susan Sweeney John Callaghan Catherine
1852-12-25Callaghan Mary Callaghan Manus Sweeney Susan Clinton Edward McIntyre Jane
1859-02-01Callaghan Susan Callaghan ManusSweeney Susan McConigly Francis Martin Mary
Firs name is child , second Father, Mother, Godfather and GodMother.  Mary Callaghan has 2 different births but that was normal for that time since it was hard to get the records to the proper office in the winter months. there is more on next pg.

1857-03-08Callaghan Anne Callaghan ManusSweeney Susan Clinton Edward McConigly Catherine
1855-02-11Callaghan Catherine Callaghan Manus Sweeney Susan Carr Anthony Callaghan Anne
1861-06-13Callaghan Catherine Callaghan Manus Sweeney Susan McG Edward Callaghan Catherine
1863-09-25Callaghan Charles Callaghan Manus Sweeney Susan Callaghan James Callaghan Eleanor
1868-02-14Callaghan James Callaghan Manus Sweeney Susan

It does not show Godfather or Godmother for James.

Peggyy, I did not realize the 1857 birth was uptop and bottom sorry. so hope this helps you.

Hi Mary Martin,

Thank you for offering your help to Peggy, it is much appreciated. This is just a quick link to the information you posted..thank you

Donegal Genealogy Resources Website

Parish of Clondavaddog

http://donegalgenealogy.com/clondavadogproj.htm

RC Births to Callaghan Fathers & Callaghan Mothers

http://donegalgenealogy.com/clondavaddogdeeny2.htm#Births_to_Callaghan_Fathers

Mary, I hope you don’t mind me asking, I would love to hear more about the CALLAGHAN FAMILY that had a bar in ATLANTIC CITY.

I have Callahan family in New York that have talked many times about being at this this bar back in the 1970’s and hearing from some of the ATLANTIC City family that both familiies were closely related.

Maybe could you maybe shed some light on who this ATLANTIC CITY family is or where they may have came from in Fanad, I will have Records for this family once I have few details...

Regards Seamus

Hi Seamus, I didn't realize you said the Callahan's were related. I don't really remember much about the Altantic city ones but I now the bar sign was there until a few yrs ago, they sold the place. We would go down every sumer and have dinner there.

So all the old guys I knew don;t remember any names are long gone, The grandkids probably still owned it. I only knew Chickie Callahan who lived in Phila near us but never knew his real name.

The Cannons may know more of the Atlantic City ones. I can see if I find anything out bout them. If I do I will email you.

The old Cannon house is still across from Maura Martins and next to Ballymichael school, which a guy uses for his chickens.

Maura said that Cannon lives in dublin I think, he comes down in the summer.

Bye, Mary

Seamus - I realize this post is from a few years ago now but I am intersted in learning more about the Kitty Callaghan you mention. My great, great Grandmother was Kate or Kitty Callaghan born ~ 1862 in Donegal who married Daniel Casey and lived in Derry in the Lone Moor. Daniel was in the RIC. As far as I can tell Kitty was possibly from Maheradrumman. There are very few Catherine, Kates or Kittys I can find references to. The Caseys stayed in Derry having 9 children - Hugh, Charles, Mary, John, Daniel (my great-Grandfather) James, Denis, Manoses and Sarah.

Any help on where to find more about the Callaghans would be fantastic!

Barbara

Hi Barbera,

Sorry for the short delay, as I am only seeing your message just now. That is interesting to hear, I will have a look and see can I find a Record of Death for Kitty Callaghan. As long as it is over 50 Years since Kitty Callaghana death there should be one available. If so, there is a chance it will referance if Kitty in Magheradrumman (Ballylar) Fanad was a widower or a spinster at the time of her passing. 

Seamus Callaghan

Barbara " could this be the wedding

Catherine O'Callaghan her Father Timothy

Daniel Casey Feb 19 1887 in Tralee it is on Irish Geneology hs Father John

from Mary Martin.  I have Callahans but only now a little about the ones who came to America.