Martin Maher (Meagher)

The following Mahers in Dunkerrin (and one in Moneygall in Cullenwaine) are listed in the Tithe Applotment records. They were living there in 1824 and 1825. One is named Martin.
See the records at http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/index.jsp

Maher John Castleroane Dunkerrin King's 1825
Maher Martin Castleroane Dunkerrin King's 1825
Maher John Castleroane Dunkerrin King's 1825
Maher Michael Clashagad Dunkerrin King's 1825
Maher Clashagad Dunkerrin King's 1825
Maher Phillip Clashagad Dunkerrin King's 1825
Maher Mathew Ballyslea Dunkerrin King's 1825
Maher Thomas Ballynamoe Dunkerrin King's 1825
Maher Daniel Montore Dunkerrin King's 1825
Maher Daniel Gurteen Dunkerrin King's 1825
Maher John Rathnavogue Dunkerrin King's 1825
Maher Darby Rathnavogue Dunkerrin King's 1825

Maher John Moneygall Cullenwaine King's 1824

I hope this is helpful.

Hello and Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out

Moneygall is in the Parish of Dunkerrin, Registration district is Roscrea. 

It is on the border of Offaly and Tipperary, which always makes it a bit more difficult to trace

I did find a Thomas Maher who married a Margaret Bown in March 1835 (record attached)

There are a good few Maher names on the next page of that Parish Reg (also attached)

Sorry forgot to attach the other records 

William I have searched the Monegal Parish registar looking for Martins baptism record but cannot find it, is it definately 1821

Monegal starts in 1821 for Baptism

There are a good few Mahers/Meaghers and even Bowen records but I cannot see a Martin

Actually William

At the bottom left of the attached file there is a Baptism record and I think it looks like Martin -  June 1822

I cannot make out the Fathers name, Mothers name Betty Meagher and the townland is the next word

But the more I look at it - I think I am wrong are they the Godparents

See what you think

Page 14, Microfilm 02479 / 01, Moneygall, Killaloe - Catholic Parish Registers at the NLI

Maybe we should look for Thomas instead of Martin and try and find his parents names, have you tried this

Actually we probably wont find Thomas, if he got married in 1835 and records only start in 1820/21 - he would be too old for the records

Have you had much luck with the DNA match

There are a few DNA/Matchmaker groups on Facebook for Offaly and Tipperary

Thank you Patricia and Geraldine for your research. It is very helpful. It is difficult to tell if the baptismal record you posted is for Martin. It does look like a listing for godparents but I am not sure. I am speculating on Martin's birth year. In the mortality schedule for the 1850 U.S. census, he is listed as dying in January at the age of 28. This led me to believe he would have turned 29 sometime in 1850 making him born in 1821. Since there is no way of knowing if he was actually 28 in January, 1850, there is a chance he could have been born 1819-1824?

I came to focus on Dunkerrin Parish as the location of Martin's birth because of the dna match on Ancestry. The dna match had a Robert William Maher in his family tree that I was able to show was the son of Roger "Roddy" Maher and the grandson of Thomas Maher from Moneygal, Dunkerrin Parish. I believe that Martin is connected to Thomas but I haven't found the documentation. Also, how likely is it that Thomas had his family in Dunkerrin but that he and Martin were born elsewhere in Ireland? How far would tenant farm families move within Ireland in the first half of the 19th century? Should I widen my search out from Dunkerrin?

Another piece of the puzzle might be a William Maher born around 1800. He shows up in the 1840 U.S. census and I think I have been able to connect him to a baptismal record for a James Maher in 1835 in Moneygall. He could be a much older brother/uncle to Martin.  I am less inclined to think he is the missing father but Martin does not seem to have resided with him according to the 1840 census. The census at that time only listed heads of households but it doen't show a male of Martin's age living in this household. Martin may have still come with him to America. 

Thank you for all your help. Family research often seems like a wild goose chase but I do like it!