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I have loved reading these posts as people find out more about their ancestors!

I have had such a difficult time locating my maternal grandfather, John Byrne's death date and location of burial.  He was born December 8, 1879 in Altclogh, Carrick Parish, Glencolumbkille, county Donegal.  His wife, Bridget "Annie" Cannon had my mother on March 22, 1921, so I assume her father, John Byrne died between March of 1921 and when his wife, Bridget, imigrated to the US in 1926.  

I assume they were Roman Catholic.  I have checked MANY websites and cannot find any information. I tried contacting the churches, but  I do not know how churches are being affected by the currnt pandemic.

Would anyone have any ideas?

Take care and be safe.

Thank you from the US.

Mary Beth Reddington 

Saturday 18th Apr 2020, 02:29PM

Message Board Replies

  • Mary Beth:

    Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

    John Byrne was a very common name in that area of Donegal. Like you, I searched the free site www.irishgenealogy.ie and did not find a civil death record. I presume the family did not register the death. I assume you contacted the RC church in Glencolumkille but in case you did no,t here is the link to their web site https://www.raphoediocese.ie/parish/glencolmcille-carrick/

    Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Saturday 18th Apr 2020, 03:47PM

  • Hi Mary Beth

     . The headstones for Glencolmcille are photograhed and are online at https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2623182/saint-columba's-catholic-church-cemetery  Burial register started in 1948 so of no use to you, sadly. There is also a possibility he was buried in Kilcar or Carrick. 

    As you know there were/are several Byrne families in Altclough - John's parents William Byrne and Nabala Fisher were catholic according to the census returns. 

    Men from South West Donegal was very active during the war of Independence - Is he listed as a member ? http://mspcsearch.militaryarchives.ie/docs/files//PDF_Membership/8/MA-MSPC-RO-372.pdf

    Have you checked the Donegal newspapers for a death announcement or obituary ? They are on https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/

    As there was a tradition of men going to Scotland from this area for seasonal  work. You should also check https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ for a death cert . 

     

    Hope this is of help 

     

     

     

    Cordangan Tipperary

    Sunday 19th Apr 2020, 11:36AM

  • Thank you so much for the resources to try to find the death date and location for my grandfather.  I am afraid none of them panned out, but I enjoyed the search!  I will assume his death was not registered.  I would have loved to have located him so that when I visit Ireland again I might find his final resting place.

    Mary Beth (Reddington) Adams

    Descendant of John and Mary Theresa (nee Cannon) Byrne

    Friday 24th Apr 2020, 05:37PM

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