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Searching for information on my great-grandparents, John McKenna and Mary Duffy, believed to be from either Tedavnet, Errigal Trough, or Donagh (cross-posted).

Facts I know about John:  He lived in Lot 65, Prince Edward Island, Canada just prior to his death in late 1875/early 1876. According to his will he had 4 children: Margaret (b. 1861); Francis (b. 1963); Mary Ann (b. 1866); and, Elizabeth (b. 1868). His first wife, Mary Duffy of Monaghan, was the mother of these children. Her obituary said she emigrated to PEI in 1840 with her family.  Mary died in 1870, leaving John with 4 young children. In 1872, he married Bridget Hickey.

Guesses about John: Born about 1825-1840, believed to be in Tydavnet. He likely married Mary Duffy around 1840 (based solely on the birthdate of their oldest child in 1861).  Based on the name of his son, his father may have been Francis McKenna. There is a Francis McKenna in the 1841 PEI census for lot 65. He is a farmer in a household with one male age <16 (John?), 1 male 16-45 (likely Francis), and 1 female <16. The census record said 4 passages to PEI had been paid for indicating Francis' wife may have died in transit.

Possibility: The Tedavnet Catholic church parish records show a Joannes McKenna, baptized 12 Mar 1837, son of Franciscus McKenna and Honora McQuade. The church record says the family lived in Derecat (believed to be Derrynagad/Dernagad). If this is 'my' John McKenna, he would have been 23 years old in 1860, at the time of his estimated marriage to Mary Duffy.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. While it is wonderful knowing/guessing that John, like all but 1 of my paternal great-grandparents, was from Monaghan, it would be even more wonderful knowing who is parents were and where they lived before John appears in Canada.

Many thanks,

Kathleen Clarkin Foley

kathleen foley

Monday 4th Feb 2019, 01:36AM

Message Board Replies

  • Kathleen:

    Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

    I know I'm complicating your research but I located three other John McKenna baptismal records with father Francis on the subscription site Roots Ireland. The 1842 record is likely a stretch but the 1837 and 1839 records are possibilities.

    Let me know if I can assist further if you have more info. Have you considered DNA testing?

    Roger McDonnell

    Name:John McKennaDate of Birth:26-Feb-1837
    Date of Baptism:0not listeAddress:Errigal Truagh ParishParish/District:Errigal TruaghGender:MCountyCo. Monaghan
    Denomination:[not Listed]
    Father:Francis McKennaMother:Margaret McKennaOccupation:[not Listed]
    [not Listed]
    Sponsor 1 /
    Informant 1:John Boyle 
    [not Listed]Sponsor 2 /
    Informant 2:Mary Grimes 

     

    Name:John McKennaDate of Birth:0not listed
    Date of Baptism:26-Dec-1839Address:Drumcoo (Jackson)Parish/District:TydavnetGender:MCountyCo. Monaghan
    Denomination:[not Listed]
    Father:Francis McKennaMother:Catherine McGinnisOccupation:[not Listed]
    [not Listed]
    Sponsor 1 /
    Informant 1:Bernard McGinnis 
    [not Listed]Sponsor 2 /
    Informant 2:Margaret McGinnis 

    Name:John McKennaDate of Birth:
    Date of Baptism:22-Feb-1842Address:Donagh ParishParish/District:DonaghGender:MCountyCo. Monaghan
    Denomination:Roman Catholic
    Father:Francis McKennaMother:Catherine DuffyOccupation:
    Rc
    Sponsor 1 /
    Informant 1:John Raverty Sponsor 2 /
    Informant 2:Catherine Conyer 

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Monday 4th Feb 2019, 05:25PM
  • Roger,

    Thank you!! I will check the parish birth and marriage records. The 1837 one looks especially promising.  I have done DNA and plan to check in with those matches I believe to be from this line.

    Much appreciated,

    Kathleen Clarkin Foley

    kathleen foley

    Saturday 16th Feb 2019, 09:42PM

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