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Gannon from Killbeggan

Westmeath

I know that my Gannons are from County Westmeath; I have multiple sources which document that. I believe they were from Kilbeggan based on close Gannon DNA matches from that area. I have also put together bits and pieces of information over the years that point to Kilbeggan. My earliest known Gannon ancestors are ggg grandparents Michael Gannon and Mary/Esther Marshall (I know this based on information found on his brother Thomas' marriage record and death certificate.) . My gg-grandfather Christopher Gannon (b. 1820) immigrated to the US in 1836. He was joined by a brother Thomas Gannon(b.1830) in 1853, a cousin Christopher Marshall in 1852, and another cousin Mary Grace sometime before 1860 (all from County Westmeath). My gg-grandfather Christopher Gannon married Ellen Murray (from County Longford) before 1852 while living in Rochester, New York. They ultimately settled in Davenport, Iowa sometime in the mid 1850's. They had a total of eight children. Christopher died Christmas day 1885 in Davenport, Iowa. Christopher and Ellen were devout Catholics. The only birth record I have found for a Christoper Gannon b.1820 in Westmeath lists the parents as Patrick and Mary. I would love to find any documentation in Ireland regarding my family!! Would love to know where they lived!!

golden-key@sbc…

5 replies

Rose:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

The Kilbeggan RC records go back to 1818 and when I search the subscription site Roots Ireland, I did not locate a baptismal record for Christopher or Thomas with the parents first names of Michael and Mary/Esther. The only Christopher Marshall baptismal record was in 1861 in Castletown/Geoghegan RC parish.

The Castletown/Geoghegan parish is just to the north of Kilbeggan and baptismal records start in August 1829  https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0913 ;  Roots Ireland did have an 1831 baptismal record in Castletown/Geoghegan for a Joseph Gannon with father Michael and a mother with the surname Marshall.Possibly this is a brother to Christopher and Thomas?

I looked at the 1854 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing for Castletownkindalen civil parish  https://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/westmeath/castletownkindalen.htm…;  There were sevwn Gannon records in the parish including a Michael Gannon in Teernacreeve townland. If your ancestor Michael was still alive in 1854, possibly this record is for him.  There also was a Michael Gannon in Kilbeggan civil parish https://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/westmeath/kilbeggan.htm

My inclination is that the family lived north of Kilbeggan.

Roger McDonnell

 

Name:Joseph GannonDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:09-Dec-1833Address:Not RecordedParish/District:CASTLETOWN-GEOGHANGender:MaleCountyCo. Westmeath
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Michael GannonMother:Elizabeth MarshallsOccupation:Not Recorded
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Francis Fallon Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Margaret Gannon 

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

This is a fabulous start. One of Christopher’s sons was named Michael Joseph.  One of the Marshall descendants was Joseph Michael. Each bit of information helps.  I really appreciate your kindness!!! 

golden-key@sbc…

 

Roger, 

From what year is the Griffiths Valuation from Killbeggan? One of my strong Gannon DNA matches is from Quiggenstown. The Griffiths Valuation shows a Michael Gannon from Killbeggan-Guiggenstown. 

Rose 

golden-key@sbc…

Rose:

The Griffiths for Westmeath was published in 1854 but likely the actual survey work was done in 1853.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thanks again!!!!!!

golden-key@sbc…

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