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Degnans from Roscommon

I am seeking some insight into the Degnan side of my family.  I have some information but would like to try to pinpoint, if possible, where in Roscommon they actually originated. I was in Roscommon last year and visited some cemetaries and did have a little local help but still have many questions. The Degnan names that I saw were usually spelled "Duignan" so I have not yet ascertained if they are the same family - Help!

My great-grandfather is Patrick Degnan, born on Feb 22 1865 - Bally(fe)rmoyle (just found this record), Roscommon, Ireland. His birth date is also listed as 1864 and 1866. I would love to locate his baptismal record. At some point I thought I had that record but the baptism date was before the birth date! I would also like to locate his marriage information although it may have been in Scotland. My great-grandmother is C(K)atherine C(K)avanagh. She was born in Scotland in 1869 and her parents are John Cavanagh and Bridget Fury.

I'd like to find out more about his parents who are listed as James Degnan ( died in Ireland in 1864?- which makes Patrick's birthdate questionable if his father died when he was a baby!) and Ellen Noone (do not have any clear information about her except she may have married again to a Martin Flanagan in 1860)

Thank you!

cmbdteach@gmail.com

4 replies

At some point I thought I had that record but the baptism date was before the birth date!

Cecelia, this is a situation I've often seen in Irish records.  A child's parents had to register the birth with the civil authorities within a certain time period. If not, a fine was levied.  So in many cases the parent just lied and gave a birth date that would avoid the paying of a fine.  This date was often after the baptismal date.

The baptismal record is more reliable in many cases than the birth record.

glanvil3@aol.com

I found the following marriage. Names are correct, but note it took place in Sligo, not  Roscommon. Perhaps Ellen was from Sligo.

 

Marriage:        27-May-1854              

Parish / District:         SLIGO             Co. Sligo

Husband                     James Deignan          Wife    Ellen   Noone

Both Roman Catholic            

Witnesses:

Patrick Noone, Winifred O'Donnel

From RootsIreland

glanvil3@aol.com

Cecelia:

The subscription site Roots Ireland has a November 30 1857 baptismal record for a Patrick Duignan with father James Duignan and mother Helen Noone. The RC parish was Ardcarn/Cootehall. By the way, Ballyformoyle townland is in Ardcarn civil parish.

Also, civil registration of births did not start in Ireland until 1864.

I did not find a civil death record for either James or Ellen and also did not find a subsequent marriage record for Ellen.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Very helpful!

I read from a connected site that James Degnan died when Patrick was 6 months old. It also indicated that Ellen Noon Degnan married a Martin Flanagan on February 6, 1860. There was no more evidence that I could locate at this time.

cmbdteach@gmail.com

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