Hello everyone!
As far as I can tell, the last of my Irish ancestors came to the United States in 1899.
Patrick Donovan and Mary Donovan married in 1860 Skibbereen and had the following children:
Johannah 1861, Michael 1862, James 1864, Patrick 1866, John 1868, Daniel 1871 and Jeremiah 1873.
Of the first six children listed the address within Skibbereen was Lakelands - which correctly known as Kilnaclasha, Skibbereen, and Jeremiah's address was given as Hollybrook - which correctly known as Maulbrack, Skibbereen.
It seems the family may have moved on the lands of Hollybrook estate after the their fifth child was born and their last child was born when they were in Hollybrook.
Johannah, James, Patrick and Daniel (my direct ancestor) came to reside in Johnstown, Pa. before 1890. After the elder Patrick Donovan passed away, Mary and her son Jeremiah came over through Ellis Island. I believe Michael came at some point in time as well. While in Johnstown, the family lived next to another Donovan family.
Johannah and Patrick remained single and lived together until their respective deaths. Daniel married Mary McPaddon, and Jeremiah married Ellen O'Brien who was supposedly also from Skibbereen.
This is as far as I've gotten. I will be visiting Skibbereen in September, and I hope to see the land while meeting some nice people.
Sheena
Monday 7th Mar 2016, 08:00PM
Message Board Replies
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Sheena:
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!
Can't tell if you have seen the parish register for Skibbereen. Records go back to 1814 for baptisms.
http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0096
The Skibbereen records are also on this free site www.irishgenalogy.ie
Are you aware of the mystery books written by Sheila Connolly? The heroine is Maura Donovan who moves to Ireland from Boston to take over a pub near Skibbereen. http://www.sheilaconnolly.com/county-cork-mysteries.php
Enjoy your trip to Ireland.
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Monday 7th Mar 2016, 09:57PM -
Roger,
I have looked at these records, but I will certainly take another look. I failed to mention that Patrick married Mary McCarthy in 1860, and Mary and Jeremiah came over to American on the Brittanic.
I have not looked into these books, but I certainly will now.
I am looking forward to a workshop I will be attending at Heinz History Center (Pittsburgh) on Irish genealogy. The Skibbereen Heritage Center has also been a huge help, and I look forward to visiting it myself.
Regards,
Sheena
Tuesday 8th Mar 2016, 02:40PM