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Donovan - making the leap back to Ireland

Working in my dad's lineage, going backward.

My father- Donald Edwin Donovan b. 8/10/1918; d. 12/11/1981 both in ME.

GF - William Frances Donovan b. 12/23/1893 Ellsworth ME; d. 4/1/1963 Gardiner ME

GGF - Timothy H. Donovan b. 03/1864; d. 10/23/1909 Bangor or Ellsworth ME

GGGF - John Donovan b. ~ 1838 Ireland; d. 2/12/1907? Ellsworth ME ? If this is even my relative....I'm hoping someone can help me figure out if this is the John Donovan on Timothy's death certificate. And help me find him in Ireland so I know where to start looking there.

I also have some marriage info, some sibling info on these folks if needed.

Thanks in advance!

Craigldonovan@…

5 replies

Craig:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

Does the death certificate for Timothy show his mother's name? You didn't indicate if Timothy was born in Ireland or Maine so I assume you are not sure. Can you find him on the 1900 census and see what country is shown for his birth?

90% or more of Donovan families come from Co. Cork so likely that is where your ancestors came from.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Craig:

I went to Ancestry and found the 1900 census. Timothy was born in Maine and his wife was born in Canada. 

I also looked up John Donovan. A person named Joseph Finley has a tree for John Donovan and it indicates  his wife was Ellen Wilton and they were married in England, lived in England and then went to Maine??? Do you know Joseph Finley?  In any event, can you confirm John's wifes name?

Thanks!

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Roger,

Thank you very much for your time and info.

Timothy was born in ME. His wife was born in Frederickton, New Brunswick, Canada. She's also a brick wall of mine. Annie S. Taggett, b. 2/14/1863, d. 5/7/1949 Camden ME.

Timothy's death certificate lists John as his father and Ellen Mahoney as his mother.

I found a newspaper article about his death while visiting his brother John. So he had a brother and father named John.

I've also seen John Donovans wife as Ellen Wilton. I'm trying to reconcile that.

I dont know Joseph Finley but will look his info up. Thanks again and for any other help you can lend!

Craigldonovan@…

Craig:

I searched but did not find a John Donovan marriage in Co. Cork to Ellen Mahoney or Ellen Wilton in Co. Cork.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you for trying. Any suggestions?

Craigldonovan@…

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