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James McGowan

Donegal

Hello I am trying to trace James McGowan born May 1, 1854 in Bundoran, Donegal Parents John McGowan and Margaret Gilroy.

James immigrated to the United States in April of 1873. James was a baker by profession in the U.S. and became a citizen in October of 1879. He ultimately returned to Ireland in December 1923 address he gave for his destination was Townytallon, Tullaghan which I understand is outside of Bundoran. I am trying to find out when James died and where he is buried. I believe James may be a relative of my Great Grandfather Cornelius McGowan.

Can anyone offer assistance how I can track down James death record and possibly whether he had family in Townytallon in 1923.

Attached is the photo of James' passport application - from 1923

Thank you!

Movick

3 replies

Movick:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I think the townland you want in Tawnytallan in Rossinver civil parish which is at the very northern tip of Co. Leitrim close to the Donegal border and Bundoran. There were two McGowan families in the townland in 1911 with head of households (John and Patrick) around the age of James McGowan. 

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Leitrim/Tullaghan/Tawnytallan/645514/

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Leitrim/Tullaghan/Tawnytallan/645515/

Civil death records are available at the free site www.irishgenealogy.ie ;  The registration district would be Ballyshannon and there were twelve James McGowan death records in that district from 1923 on. None of the records looked likem a good lead for your James. Possibly his death was not recorded civilly. Maybe you should focus on the death records for Patrick and John McGowan.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Roger McDonnell

 

 

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hello Roger  -   I hope you are keeping safe during these difficult times for the world.   First, I must apologize, I thought I had acknowledged your post - Thank you for the information.  I ultimately was able to confirm that James (my possible ancestor) ultimately returned to the U.S. and died in NY in May 1927.  I have a trip planned for this October to Ireland and am hoping travel will be opened :) I will be attending a genealogy conference; and following the conference I plan to visit the Ballyshannon and Tawnytallan areas for some feet on the ground research.  With that in mind...............

Do you know if there is way to confirm or other document to look for to determine the location of the dwellings for the 1901 census?  I am trying to determine if the above John McGowan was liviing in the same dwelling as the McGowan family of Tawnytallan from the Griffiths Valuation - map attached.

 

Thanks again Roger and stay safe!

Movick

Movick

Movick:

Good to hear from you and I hope you make it to Ireland in October.

There were only four families in the Griffiths for Tawnytallan including John McGowan and five families in the 1901 census including his two sons Patrick and John. The two sons likely farmed the same lands as the father John. Anne McGowan may have lived on the property also. I see that there was a Cassidy family in the Griffiths and the 1901 census so likely they retained the same lands.

All three McGowan houses were small with two rooms while the Cassidy and Feely houses were larger and had a better roof  http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai000969867/

According to the 1911 census there was an RC church in the townland  http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai002679267/

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

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