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Gillans of Killann Parish, Cavan

Shercock (Cavan)

I’m trying to research the Gillan and McCaul families that lived in Kilcrossduff townland in the 19th century.

Recently I located a Killann Parish marriage record dated 23 April 1877 between James Smith, servant, of Monaghnoose and Mary McCaul, servant, of Bailieborough. Mary McCaul’s father is listed as Patrick Mccaul, farmer (deceased). According to Roots Ireland records, the witnesses were Andrew Donnelly and Mary Jane Gillen. A review of the parallel civil marriage record lists the witnesses as Andrew Donnelly and Mary Jane Gillick.

I reviewed the Parish record ledger which appears to clearly show the las name for Mary Jane as being Gillen/Gillin. My question is, have other people seen/identified surname errors between parish and civil records? I’m trying to decipher which surname is likely the accurate one for genealogical research purposes.

One clue I’ve identified is that in 1879 a Jane Gillan from Kilcrossduff, single, gives birth to an illegitimate child named Ellen Gillan (parish records). The parallel civil records list Mary Gillan as the mother’s name. I believe Ellen’s mother was likely named Mary Jane. She was the daughter of Michael and Mary Gillan of Kilcrossduff. This would seem to lend support to my hunch that the Mary Jane who witnessed the marriage of James Smith and Mary McCaul of Bailieborough was Michael Gillan’s daughter. I will also note, there was a record of McCauls associating with the Gillans of Kilcrossduff.

I appreciate any thoughts posters might have.

MaineRoots85

5 replies

Local volunteer contacted.

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Birth of Ellen Gillan 1879

kellyeileen20@…

Death of Michael Gillan 1896 note Ellen Gillan grand daughter is present at death.

kellyeileen20@…

Death of Mary Gillan 1896

kellyeileen20@…

Hi Maine,

I generally disregard spelling, as often the person who makes the original entry, is writing it as they hear it, so yes mistakes, though not intentionally are made. The informer may not be literate and may not realise what was written, indeed my own name was recorded as Carmen, my father made a statutory declaration to have the record amended, but if I search for my record the original spelling still stands, with a note in the margins of the document. In trying to match up civil and church records, you will find that sometimes the baptism occurred before the date of birth, this happened because for Catholics, baptism was very important, usually on the day the child was born or the day after and if the child was ill, the priest would come to the house. Civil registration had to take place within a certain time frame and if not a fine could be imposed, so to avoid the fine dates were sometimes fudged. Another issue is the transcription of the records, I have found some errors with transcriptions, and some transcriptions missed due to the inability of the transcriber to figure out what was written. You can view the microfilm of the parish register on Roots Ireland. As you go back through your ancestors, pick the spelling of the person closest to you and stick with that or else record the various spellings. I have O' with my surname, but it was dropped and picked up again, some may not agree with me but I hope this helps you.

Regards Carmel O'Callaghan.

Bailieborough CavanIrelandXO Volunteer

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