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Barry & Gubbins Family

LimerickKnocklong (Limerick)

Hello, I'm David Barry, the great grandson of Gerald D. Barrry b. circa 1842who arrived in Chicago in approximately 1863 and Mary Gubbins b. circa 1842 who arrived in the Chicago area in the late 1850s with her parents George Gubbins and Mary Jane O'Farrell and her three siblings. Gerald and Mary were wed in 1868 at Old St. Pat's Church, one of the original Irish Catholic parishes in Chicago. I suspect that Gerald is fromKnocklong County Limerick and I have docementation that the Mary and her family were from Knocklong.

Could anyone help me find docementation about Gerald's birth and his family. I suspect that he may have had brothers George and James and two sisters, Ellen (Nellie) and Kate.

I'm looking for assistance in finding information about these families especiallly about Gerald so I would be happy to share any information that I have with this community.

Thank you,

David

dbarry@justice.com

5 replies

David:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I searched on Roots Ireland and did not find any Gerald Barry baptismal records in Knocklong RC parish or a parish close to Knocklong. I then focused on George and found a family in Abbeyfeale RC parish which is in the southwest corner of Limerick a good deal from Knocklong. The parents were Edmond Barry and Mary Callaghan and they had the following children and you will notice there is no Gerald in this list: Richard 1838 Hanora 1839 Helen (possibly the Nellie in your message) 1843 Margaret 1845 James 1847 Catherine 1848 (likely the Kate in your message) George 1853 Johanna 1853 Johanna 1854 (maybe the 1853 Johanna died) Michael 1857 You will notice that there is a gap from 1839-1843 and possibly Gerald was in the gap. I will need to look at the actual parish register.

The 1850 Grifiths Valuation head of household listing for Abbeyfeale ciivl parish shows an Edmona Barry in Crag townland. I think Edmona was a typo and should be Edmond.

http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/limerick/abbeyfeale.htm

Mary Gubbins was actually born in 1839. See Roots Ireland transcription below. She appears to be the oldest followed by: James 1841 Michael? William 1842 George 1844 Barnaby 1846

The parents were married in 1837 in Limerick city (parish of St. Mary's) See below.

Let me know what you think about the Barry family.

Roger McDonnell

 

Name:Mary GubbinsDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:21-Jul-1839Address:KnocklongParish/District:KNOCKLONG & GLENBROHANEGender:UnknownCountyCo. Limerick
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:George GubbinsMother:Jane O'FarrellOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Daniel Riordan Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Mgt. Reeves 

Date of Marriage:27-Sep-1837
Parish / District:ST. MARY'S
County:Co. Limerick
Husband  GeorgeGubbins
Wife JaneFarrell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you Roger for such a quick replay, I will add the information about Mary Gubbins as I continue to find out more about Gerald.  If I have any questions may I ask and I will post information about the Barrys and Gubbins that I discover.

Thank you again,

David

dbarry@justice.com

I hope this information helps and I would appreciate comments or questions:

In September 2019, my wife and I were able to walk the Hill of Knocklong to view the cemetery with my distant cousins, Patrick and David Barry.  Patrick and I had previously connected since we shared DNA matches when I mentioned that I was planning a trip to Ireland then we planned to meet in Knocklong. 

Once we reached the top of the hill, Patrick pointed out the blue cottage on The Old Road that once was the ancestral home of my line of Barrys. 

This trip started many years ago when I started researching my family tree, I found my grandfather’s (George David Barry) baptismal certificate at the Holy Family Church in Chicago, Illinois that listed his parents as Gerald David Barry and Mary Gubbins.  Identifying Mary’s parents as George Gubbins and Jane O’Farrell was relatively straightforward using Chicago City Directories, U.S. Census, probate records, and the Gubbins Genealogy Group which is currently residing at Groups.io. 

George Gubbins and his family came to the United States about 1850 and eventually settled in Chicago about 1860.

I learned that I’m related to the Barrys through two lines:  the parents of George Gubbins were James Gubbins (1775-1850) and Bridget Barry (1780-1850) and I believe both were from Knocklong.

I discovered my great grandfather, Gerald David Barry who arrived in Chicago in 1863, had two sisters: Kate who married a John Murphy and Ellen who married a John Riordan, both lived in Chicago or a nearby suburb.  This information was verified by a US census document and a transcript of the heirship hearing in Gerald’s probate case.  Kate’s death notice (Chicago Daily Tribune May 30, 1918) revealed the identity of her siblings:  Gerald, James, David, and Mrs. John Riordan (Ellen) and Kate’s death certificate (Cook County, Illinois revealed the name of her parents: David Barry and Katherine Mitchell (no further information).

I’m glad that I had the opportunity to visit Knocklong where these people once lived before they started a new life some 3500 miles away.  Hopefully, I will be able to return someday.

Individuals:

Gerald David Barry: dob? - 27 SEP 1904 Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA).

His siblings:  James Barry (no information); David Barry (no information); Kate [Barry] Murphy 1854 Ireland – May 28, 1918 Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Ellen [Barry] Riordan 1856/1861 County Limerick – 21 March, 1909 River Forest, Cook, Illinois.

Gerald’s parents: David Barry and Katherine Mitchell (no information).

Gerald’s wife: Mary Gubbins 1837 Knocklong – 17 May 1903, Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Mary’s Parents: George J. Gubbins: 10 March 1810 Knocklong – 12 March 1881, Chicago, Cook, Illinois and Jane [O’Farrell] Gubbins circa 1815 County Limerick – 31 March 1886, Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

George’s Parents: James Gubbins: circa 1775 Knocklong – 1850 Knocklong and Bridget Barry: circa 1780 County Limerick – 1818/1850 County Tipperary. [Info not verified]

Jane’s parents: William O’Farrell: circa 1790 County Limerick -1850 County Limerick and Annabella [maiden name unknown] O’Farrell 1863 Limerick, County Limerick.  [info not verified]

 

dbarry@justice.com

Hello again David!

I checked Roots Ireland and there were no baptismal records for children of David Barry and a mother with surname Mitchell in all of Limerick.You have probably looked at the Knocklong parish register. https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0265    I scanned 1854 since Catherine was born that year. The register from January to July is not in good condition. Did not see a possible record for Catherine. Then there is a gap until November 30, 1854. The record from then until the end of the year are in better condition but still no Catherine.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi David,

The will of James Barry of Knocklong has survived dated 6th September 1867..  He left a bequest of a 3 acre field near the Chapel of Knocklong to his sister Mrs Ellen Gubbins along with £50.  I haven't yet figured out who her husband was but it looks like this fits into your family history.

Catherine

Kilbrogan House

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