Hi, my grandfather, known as John J Donovan (b. ca.1876) here in the states, emigrated from Ireland, arriving in Boston in May of 1894. His brother Jeremiah (b. 1869) had arrived in 1892, and his sister, Mary (b. 1878) arrived in either 1894 or 1898. On the marriage records for all three siblings in Boston were listed parents Bartholomew Donovan and Hanora Calnan. A member of another Donovan immigrant family, however, told my parents that these three were not Donovans at all, but were named Rohan or Rohane, and that they changed their surnames when they arrived in Boston. I have found a marriage record of Batt Donovan and Hanora Calnan/Calanane in 1866 and no records of their children. However, I have found records that seem to be of the siblings' births (and two other brothers, William and Timothy) in Cork as "Rohane," with Bartholomew Rohane as father and Mary Honora or Honora Calnan (Calanane, etc) as their mother. There is a grave in the old Templetrine Graveyard with Bartholomew, Hanora, William and Timothy Rohane.
I have read of the existence of "double-barrelled surnames", where to a clan name (like Donovan) was added a descriptive name (like Rohan/e) and this distinguished families with extremely common names, yet the clan name (in this case, Donovan) was considered more important to pass along to an emigrating family member to keep it alive in their new home.
Soooo, does anyone have any familiarity with the existence of such double surnames? Any lore in the Ballincollig, Bandon, or Courcey's area concerning Donovan-Rohan/es? Or Calnans?
Thanks in advance
Margaret
M Donovan
Thursday 15th Apr 2021, 03:50PMMessage Board Replies
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Margaret:
That was a spam comment. I will alert our tech team.
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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Kilbrittain volunteer alerted regarding this message.
Roger
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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Hi Margaret
I have William Rohane born 22nd May 1867 and brother Jeremiah born 12nd May 1869 to parents Batt Rohane and Hanora ? in my tree. Have just confirmed that is was Callinan. Looks like we are talking about the same family. I have Williams decendants to the present day. Lots of other information. would love to make contact.
Regards Michael staridian@gmail.com
staridian
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Hello, Michael,
Thank you for replying to my question about the Rohan/e family,
Have you found the other siblings for William besides Jeremiah? And I have no evidence that William was ever married-- that is, if he is the one buried with his parents and brother Timothy in Templetrine Graveyard. Could you give me that info? Want to make sure we're talking about the same family.
Thanks,
Margaret Donovan
M Donovan
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Hi Margaret
Great to make contact. I live in Kilbrittain. Please make contact on my Email staridian@gmail.com and I will give you my full name address and all information I have. Templetrine is only 2 miles away so I will check out that head stone tomorrow. I spent 3 hours last night working on the info you already gave me.
Regards Michael
staridian