Julia Tyman was born about 1819, in Ireland as the daughter of Timothy Tynan and Bridget Carroll.
Her first marriage was to James Dormer, in Ireland.
She married Michael McGrath in 1843, in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 3 daughters. She died on 13 January 1890, in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States, at the age of 72, and was buried in Saint Johns Cemetery, Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States