Please note this was first posted in 2018 but unfortunately had no replies. After listening to Jane's webinar today I decided to repost with some slight edits or additional information. Thank you.
My great grandfather John Minnehan was born about 1820 in Ireland. Through dna testing and shared matches,we believe he was from the border area of Counties Limerick and Tipperary.
John came to the United States in early to mid 1850’s and settled in western New York State, first Genesee County and then Livingston County where he lived till he passed in 1902. In late 1850’s he married a widow, Mary Larner Gallagher who had two children Catherine and Thomas, and John and Mary had four children in New York State. Mary and her children were also from Ireland but don’t know what county.
Through autosomal and Y dna testing I have strong matches to a William Minahan born about 1806 who married Mary Butler and had six children beginning around 1845 Baptism records have been found for 3 of their children in Castleconnell Parish. William may have lived in the Grange or Garraun area of Castleconnell Parish.
There is also strong dna evidence linking me to a (Margaret) Ellen Minihan born about 1841. She married Mathew Murphy in late 1850’s and they lived in Castleconnell Parish as that is where six of their children were baptized from 1859 to 1867 when the family went to Iowa in the United States. I have been unable to find a record of marriage for Ellen and Mathew. Possibly she was from neighboring Clare or Tipperary Counties.
Because Castleconnell Parish does not have records before 1850, are there any suggestions on other ways to search for ancestors? Tithe Applotment and Griffiths Valuation show entries for various spellings of the Minihan surname, but I have no way of confirming it’s the family I am looking for. I think if I could get back one or two generations the picture could begin to look clearer.
Thank you for reading this.