Elizabeth McIlheron McAteer and John McAteer parents of Ellen and Mary Ann.

The nearest match I could find to the information you have given was the marriage for Joseph McAteer to Elizabeth McElhern in Loughgilly, Armagh 28.9.1851.

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632610#page/143/mode/1up

They had 2 daughters: Ellen baptised 12.3.1854 and Mary Jane 19.9.1852, both in the parish of Loughgilly.

You don’t say when the family left Ireland. Death registration started in 1864. I don’t see a likely death for Joseph or John McAteer in the Armagh area in the period after 1864, so suspect he died before that. In which case there’s unlikely to be any record of his death. (RC parishes generally don’t keep burial records. Loughgilly didn’t).

So how sure are you that the father’s name was John? Could it have been Joseph? And could Mary Ann have been Mary Jane?

Thank you Elwyn.

I have an obituary Portland Maine newspaper (1925) clipping of my great grandmother Ellen McAteer Kane that says her parents were John and Elizabeth, a resident of Maine since girlhood, her mother coming to America with her chilren upon the death of her husband and father. The obit also mentions her living relatives and one was a cousin Edward McIlheron.  Ellen was married in Maine in 1893. A census 1900 record indicates she came to US in 1865 and she had been in the US for 34 years. This record also says her birthdate was 1859 and she was 41. On her gravestone in Maine it says birth 1853. I will have to check on some more records for the names and I guess it is possible about the names. I know on some forms I saw her last name sometimes McIntyre, McAteer and McIntire. Thanks again for the Reach out.

Hi Patricia, I am a descendant from a McAteer from N. Ireland and Maine, Sarah McAteer, born in Dungannon in 1865.   It is a pretty rare name, her parents were David and Henrietta (nee Lucas).   Perhaps you have come acriss them.   Don Hubbard

Don Hubbard

I got your messenger post. I do not have any info on a Sarah McAteer Thorn. My great grandmother Ellen McAteer was born abt 1853 in Cty Armagh. I can not find any information on her father Joseph McAteer. I only know he died in Ireland and when his family came to US it was to the Auburn-Lewiston ME area. My great, great grandmother Elizabeth McIlheron McAteer and her children Ellen and Mary Ann worked in the mills there and possibly John. I know there were some of her side of the McIlherons that came with her to that area too. Sorry I don't know too much info on the McAteers.