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John Donovan/Julia Quinlan ancestry

Cork

Hi All

Many thanks for this wonderful platform to be able to explore our Irish ancestry. Hoping someone will be able to help with a bit more info relating to my ancestry.

My mother's maiden name was Donovan. Her father's name was Daniel (Joseph?) Donovan, born on 6/11/1884 in Cork county (assumed, but unable to confirm) - parents: John (Desmond?) Donovan (born +-1838) & Julia Mary Quinlan (born +-1837 or 1850), married on 21/1/1871.

Daniel's siblings were: Michael John (25/1/1872), Cornelius (10/6/1874), John Jeremiah (11/11/1876 - 20/3/1917), Julia (2/11/1879), William Joseph (22/10/1881), Joseph (17/9/1883), Patrick (17/1/1886), Mary Ellen (24/10/1886), Catharine Mary (18/6/1890) & Gerald (31/10/1892)

The family came to South Africa probably around late 1890's orearly 1900's & the family infoabove,was from: http://www.southafricansettlers.com/?cat=14&paged=51

According to these records, John Donovan's parents are Michael & Julia Donovan. I have found conflicting info regarding the parents. Some records show JohnDonovan married to Julia Mahony (23/2/1819) - (Area: Cork & Ross, Ballymodan, Kilbrogan & Desert Serges (Bandon)) Other recordsshowa son, John, baptized on 20/2/1839 & 5 other siblings, Area- Cork & Ross (RC), Parish - Schull East & parents being Michael Donovan & Julia Mahony.(which seems to fit in with the birth year of John) Another possibility of marriage of Michael Donovan is to Julia Desmond (16/2/1833), with a baptism of John Donovan on 30/11/1837 (also possible match) There could also have been a record of a John Michael Donovan (?) There are so many Michael Donovan's, it is impossible to know which is the right 1. Latest record show Daniel Donovan's father to be John DESMOND Donovan, which makes it lookto then be more likely to be the son of Michael Donovan & Julia Desmond.

This brick wall is blocking any further research into both lines.

If anybody has any more info or able to give some clarity or direction, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Blessings

Claire

IrelandXO member

2 replies

Claire:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

Finding the correct Donovans in Co. Cork is a difficult exercise as you have already experienced. I did find the civil marriage record on the free site www.irishgenealogy.ie ; It shows the names of the fathers of the bride and groom and where they were living when married.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_re…

I also searched on the same site for civil birth records for Daniel and some of his siblings and it appears their births may not have been civilly registered. I also could not find any baptismal records. Is it possible that John and Julia emigrated after marriage and either went to South Africa or possibly another country e.g. England??

I think the record below which you already located is the likely record for John Donovan (as you already have concluded).

Roger McDonnell

Area - CORK & ROSS (RC) , Parish/Church/Congregation - BANDON

Baptism of JOHN DONOVAN of N/R on 30 November 1837

NameJOHN DONOVANDate of BirthN/R N/R N/RAddressN/RFatherMICHL DONOVANMotherJULIA DESMOND

Sponsor 1JERH DESMONDSponsor 2MARGT DONOVANRecorded Diocesan AreaCORK & ROSSRecorded Parochial AreaBANDON

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you so much for your reply.

Yes, I also found the same marriage record of John Donovan to Julia Quinlan. On John's death certificate it states that John Donovan is the son of Michael & Julia Donovan. I have been unable to trace Michael's info regarding his d.o.b or who his parents were. I have concluded that Michael Donovan's wife was Julia Desmond. I have found 7 different baptism records for Julia Desmond, ranging from 1809 to 1818, each with a different mother & father, so I am unable to confirm her parentage or d.o.b.

I have also been unable to trace when John & Julia (Quinlan) Donovan came to South Africa. As I am also unable to locate/trace any birth records thus far, I have no idea if some or all of the children were born in Ireland or here. 

Hopefully, with time & a bit of (Irish) luck, I will be able to find the relevant info.

My journey with my ancestry has been fascinating & was surprised to discover that I have several ancestor lines from Ireland. (My father's grandfather (Hunter) was from Cavan co., my father's mother's ancestors (Bird, Dodds, Harris) were from Scotland, UK & Ireland. And as stated above, my mother's paternal line is from Cork co, Ireland) It seems I'm far more Irish than I had realised!

Thanks once again for the guidance & support.

Claire

 

IrelandXO member

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