Edward McFadden and Alice Collum
I am looking for Edward McFadden possible birth year about 1804. He married Alice Collum who may have been born about 1804 as well. They likely lived in Falcarragh, Donegal and were Roman Catholic.
They had three children born in Ireland:
Margaret birth date unknown. She married a Manus Ferry possibly in Ireland or Ohio, USA.
John born about 1842.
Dennis born about 1844. He may have been born in Cloughaneely, Co. Donegal.
At some point they all immigrated to the US and settled in Ohio just before Ireland began keeping many records. It is believed Margaretcame first then the othersarrived after but I have no evidenceof this.Edward, Alice, John and Dennis first appearance in the historical record is the 1860 US Census in Ohio.
One family story suggests that during the potato famine John and Dennis left Ireland together as part of program by Donegal called "Free Emigration" where children between the ages of 12 and 13were able to go to America if someone there was able to sign for them. I've not found anything that verifies such a program ever existed.
I am planning on visiting Ireland October 4-17. I will be in Dublin the 6-12 visiting the National Library, Valuation Office etc. On the 13 I plan to drive, at first I planned to take a bus but a few people who have been in Ireland recommended driving, to Tullaghobegly civil parish in northwest Donegal which is where I believe my McFaddins and Collums were from.
I plan to sightsee and hopefully find a cousin or two and am open to any other suggestions.
