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Canny
Tulla (Clare)
Tulla
1 Jan 1906
John Canny from Kilduff Lower, Tulla, Co. Clare was born in 1876.

He emigrated to the United States about 1906. Written records of 1825 show the existence of four Canny landholders in the townland of Kilduff Lower. By 1855 when all the land and property of Ireland was valued in what is known as the “Griffith Valuation” there is only one Canny (Michael) in Kilduff.

The 1901 Census lists the Canny Family of Kilduff Lower, Kiltannon, Tulla, Co. Clare thus:

  • Michael Canny Age 58
  • Johanna Canny (his wife) Age 53
  • John Canny (son) Age 21
  • Michael Canny (son) Age 20
  • Dan Canny (son) Age 16
  • Joseph Canny (son) Age 14
  • Theresa Canny (daughter) Age 10

The 1911 Census lists the family as follows:

  • Michael Canny Age 69
  • Johanna Canny (his wife) Age 65
  • Michael Canny (son) Age 30
  • Theresa Canny (daughter) Age 19

Another daughter, Susan Canny (born 1881) was absent from home on both occasions.


John Canny was the eldest son of Michael Canny and Johanna Minogue. We cannot trace a record of Michael Canny’s birth in or about 1843 (age given as 58 in 1901 and 69 in 1911) in the Tulla Parish Record although we know from family stories that he was born in Kilduff, lived there all his life and died there in 1927. On the marriage certificate of Michael Canny and Johanna Minogue, Michael Canny’s father’s name is also given as Michael. On the 1911 Census Return, Michael Canny and his wife Johanna were shown as having been married for 34 years. We know that Johanna’s maiden name was Minogue and that her mother’s maiden name was Cunningham.

The Tulla Parish Register shows the following entries:

  • Birth: 1846 – Johanna (daughter) to Michael Minogue and Johanna(?) Cunningham. Sponsor: Bid Cunningham

  • Marriage: January 1875 – Michael Canny to Johanna Minogue. Witnesses – James Canny (Kilduff) and Ellen McGrath

  • Marriage Certificate:  Michael Canny to Johanna Minogue February 2nd 1875

  • Baptism: (record number 1726) 3rd April 1876: John (son) to Michael Canny and Johanna Minogue. Sponsors: James Canny and Mary Canny. Address: Derrulk district

  • Baptism: (record number 1883) 7th September 1877: Patrick (son) to Michael Canny and Johanna Minogue. Sponsor: Johanna Minogue. Address: Derrulk district

  • Baptism: (record number 2091) 24th May 1879: Michael (son) to Michael Canny and Johanna Minogue. Sponsor: Mary McMahon. Address: Derrulk district


John Canny had four brothers and two sisters. One brother (Patrick) died in infancy. His other brothers and sisters were:

  • Michael Canny born 1879

  • Susan Canny born 1881

  • Daniel Canny born 1884

  • Joseph Canny born 1887

  • Teresa Canny born 1891

Michael Canny: Born 1879 died 1974 aged 95 years. He inherited the family farm in Kilduff. He married Mary Kate Bugler from Scariff, Co. Clare in 1931. They had no children. On Michael’s death, the farm passed to his wife’s nephew Denis Bugler.

Susan Canny: Born 1881 died 1976 age 95 years. Susan spent almost 30 years as a governess in France. She returned to Ireland in 1927 and lived in Phibsboro, Dublin until her death. She was unmarried.

Daniel Canny: Born 1884 died 1967 age 83 years. Daniel married Alice Lyons (Dublin) in 1932. They had three children: Veronica (Bonnie), Patrick (Paddy) and Philip Oscar (Oscar).

Dan worked as a barman in Dublin up to the 1920’s when he bought his own public house. He took an active part in the 1916 Rising and was interned at Knutsford and Frongoch. He also took part in the War of the Independence. He was a GAA Activist and co-founder of Young Ireland Hurling Club in Dublin.

Joseph Canny: Born 1887 died 1973 aged 86 years. Joe also work in the bar trade and later owned his own public house in Dublin. He took part in the 1916 Rebellion and the War of Independence. He was unmarried

Teresa Canny: Born 1891 died 1974 aged 83 years. Teresa married Martin Ryan, Roscrea Co. Tipperary in 1925. They had five children: Kathleen, Michael, Joan, Marie and Mairead.


Stamped envelope to Miss Canny

John Canny from Tulla to New York

We know that John emigrated to New York in 1906. There is no record of a John Canny from Tulla Parish in the Ellis Island Emigration Records. However, there is a record of a John Kenny, a farmer, from Tulla age 24 years (born 1882) who emigrated from Queenstown on the ship Teutonic arriving in Ellis Island on 24th May 1906.  The record shows that John’s destination was to a cousin Thomas Moroney, 913 Crook Avenue, New York.

Age and Name discrepancies

We know that John was born in 1876. His baptism is recorded in the Tulla Parish Register (record number 1726) on 3rd April 1876: John (son) to Michael Canny and Johanna Minogue. Sponsors: James Canny and Mary Canny. Address: Derrulk district. Also the transcript of the school roll documents that John Canny from Kilduff, Tulla born 1876 attended Knockjames National School. However, in the 1901 Census, John Canny son of Michael Canny, Kilduff Lower, Tulla, Co. Clare is recorded as being 21years old which would mean he was born around 1880.

The John Kenny from Tulla who was registered in Ellis Island on 24th May 1906 is recorded as being 24 years old.

All other subsequent records show John Canny as being born about 1882.

We don’t know why his age was changed, it may have been a clerical error or the staff in Ellis Island may have judged him to look younger then he was or John might have said he was younger for work purposes.

Regarding the name “Kenny” recorded in the Ellis Island Emigration Records – this may have been a clerical error or a phonetic spelling of the name Canny. Also the 1930 New York Census records John and his family as “Carny”. This again may be a clerical error, phonetic spelling or legibility of writing.


1908

Have a postcard from 514 East 149 Street, New York dated 3rd April 1908 from John to his sister Susan:

“Just a card. I hope you will like it. Thanks very much for your letter. Glad you are so well and happy. I am first class & my lady friend is fine. I will write you a long letter soon. I hope I will like your English friend”

John Canny.

1910 – United States Census on 15th April 1910

John Canny aged 28 years is married and living at 417 East 142nd Street, Bronx, New York. He is described as Head of the Household. His birth year is estimated as 1882. His birthplace is Ireland. Year of Immigration is 1906. His occupation is a butcher working in Wholesales. The other two members of the household are his wife Margaret and his cousin Michael Cunningham. In the 1910 Census, Margaret is described as born in Ireland, estimated birth year 1885, aged 25 years and immigration year 1906. His cousin Michael Cunningham is aged 23 years, estimated birth year 1887, immigration year 1909. His occupation was a Conductor on the Railroad.

Margaret, known as Maggie, was from West Clare. Her maiden name was Crowe

1920 – United States Census 5th January 1920

John Canny aged 38 years is living at East 136th Street, Bronx, New York. He is described as Head of the Household. His birth year is estimated as 1882. His birthplace is Ireland. Year of Immigration is 1906. His occupation is a butcher working in a Packing Company. The other members of the household are his wife Margaret (aged 36, born in Ireland) and his five children all born in New York.

The census records them as:

  • Michael Canny aged 8 (born 1911)
  • John Canny Junior aged 7 (born 1912)
  • Daniel Canny aged 3 (born 1916)
  • Mary and Teresa Canny aged 1 (born 1918)

It is interesting to note in this census that both John and Maggie are now naturalized American Citizens and they stated that they were naturalized in 1915.

Brooklyn Bridge Postcard

We have also found a record of another child Thomas born 10th November 1916, died 7th August 1917 and buried in St Raymond’s Cemetery, Bronx. The record states that Thomas was the son of John Canny and Margaret “Croen”. We know that John and Margaret Canny had two sets of twins so we assume that Thomas was the twin of Daniel.

1930 – United States Census

John Carny (sic) aged 45 years is living at East 136th Street, Bronx, New York. He is described as Head of the Household. His birthplace is Ireland. His occupation is a butcher working in Wholesale. The other members of the household are his wife Margaret (aged 44, born in Ireland) and his five children all born in New York. The census records them as:

  • Michael Carny aged 19 (born 1911) occupation Clerk - Bank
  • John Carny Junior aged 17 (born 1912) occupation Messenger –Board of Trade
  • Daniel Carny aged 13 (born 1916)
  • Mary and Teresa Carny aged 11 (born 1918)

Interesting records on the 1930 Census are that John and Maggie state that they own a radio set and they state that John was 27 years and Maggie 26 years when married.

John and his daughter Theresa c. 1933

1940 – United States Census

John Canny aged 59 years is still living at East 136th Street, Bronx, New York. He is described as Head of the Household. His birthplace is Ireland. His occupation is a butcher working in the Meat Market. The other members of the household are his wife Margaret (aged 58, born in Ireland) and his five children all born in New York. The census records them as:

  • Michael Canny aged 29 years, occupation Salesman - Meat
  • John Canny Junior aged 27 years, occupation Agent – Federal Office
  • Daniel Canny aged 22 years, occupation Auto mechanic - Garage
  • Mary aged 21 years, Junior Clerk – Wholesale Grocery
  • Theresa aged 21 years – Junior Clerk - Insurance

1941 – Death Record

1st January 1941 Margaret Canny of 580 East 140 Street, Bronx, NY dies. The record shows she was born 13th July 1884 Ireland, Fathers name: Michael Crowe; Mother’s Name: Catherine Driscoll; Spouse: John Canny. She is buried in St Raymond’s Cemetery, Bronx on 4th January 1941.

1955

Joan Ryan (daughter of John’s sister Teresa) emigrated to the US. She stayed with her uncle until she got accommodation elsewhere. John was in failing health at that time and was cared for by his daughter Theresa and son Daniel. John Canny died on 19th May 1958. His daughter Theresa and son Daniel were living with him at the time.

Children of John Canny

  • Michael Canny married and had five children
  • John Canny Junior was FBI Agent. He moved to California. He had four children
  • Daniel Canny worked for the Gas Company, he married in his 50’s and had one child
  • Mary Canny married a McMahon (whose family had come from Co Clare). She had four sons and a daughter. Her children had very successful careers as lawyers, in accountancy and in nursing
  • Theresa Canny did not marry. She had a very successful career in insurance. She was very involved in rearing her twin sister’s children

Comments

  • Daniel’s son “Phillip Oscar Canney(ineresteibg that an “ E “ was added at some stage  born 20th Sept 1944 is living in Bunbury Gate Avenue Swords co Dublin (correct as of September 2019) 

    Saturday 21st September 2019, 12:01AM