Irish ancestors - search tips with no county or location info

Fran:

Depending on the year your ancestors were born, we might be able to locate a record although parents names would be helpful

Can you provide the names of your great-great grandfathers and approximate year of birth and we can check?

Have you considered a DNA test? you may have third and fourth cousins who may have more info on the origins of your family.

Roger McDonnell

Hi Roger,
Thanks for the reply. Here is what I have thus far:

James McCormick: died in USA in 1893, death certificate indicates age 76 years and parents as Edward McCormick and Margaret Cain. I've searched on RootsIreland using a range of years and spellings for McCormick and Cain (which could be Kane) - nothing found.

Bridgit McGuire: died in USA in 1901, estimated year of birth 1822 from census, no death certificate found yet. I believe she had a brother John but have no info on him and she may have had a sister named Margaret (not sure).

Michael Killeen: died in USA in 1893, age noted as 59. No names of parents on death certificate, no knowledge about siblings.

Mary Crehan or Craven: died in USA in 1914, age noted as 71. Wife of Michael Killeen, I suspect marriage in USA but not sure. Death certificate indicates father's name as Michael. No info on mother or siblings.

Yes, I have completed DNA testing and manage AncestryDNA tests for me, my siblings, mother, uncle and 2 cousins. I've done a bit of searching for matches with these names but noting yet.
Any tips or help much appreciated!

Fran

Fran:

It would be hard to give you tips since you have done a lot with Roots Ireland plus your DNA tests on Ancestry. It appears that your ancestors were all in the States by 1870.

I looked at your surnames and McCormick and Kane/Cain/Keane are extremely common surnames and would be hard to track down particularly with James born in  1817. 

McGuire is another very common name and could be spelled as Maguire which is very common in Co. Fermanagh.

Crehan is an interesting surname and not very common and found in East Galway and also Co. Clare. Killeen is primarily a Mayo/Galway/Clare Roscommon surname so maybe Mary Crehan and Michael Killeen were from Co. Galway.

Have you built out your family tree on Ancestry? It is a good tool for making possible connections from DNA matches. 

Roger

Thanks, Roger. Yes, I have a detailed tree on Ancestry. I have not yet found DNA matches that clearly link to these ancestors, but will keep trying.