John Hanrahan & Mary (O')Brien of Ballyneale Catholic Parish (Grangemockler Civil Parish), Tipperary, Ireland

My g grandfather John Hanrahan (the younger) was born in Ireland on May 1, 1838 in Tipperary. Ireland based on census records and his obituary.   His younger sister, Margaret Hanrahan was young enough to appear in the baptismal records of Ballyneale parish, Tipperary County on May 29, 1840.   Her parents were John Hanrahan and Mary Brien.   I only learned this a few years ago and I haven't been able to find any other records of my family anywhere in Ireland.  One problem is that the Hanrahan name is very common in this area.  However, I'm very grateful that I have this one baptism that links them to this parish.   It would be wonderful if I can find anything else about them before they left (1847 according to an obituary).

My family left Ireland during the Famine and emigrated to Canada.   The first record I found there was on April 25, 1853 for a Crown Grant in Normanby Twp, Grey County, Ontario.  The elder Hanrahans (John & Mary) are buried in a small cemetery there (in 1865 and 1867).   From there, my g grandfather moved to Pope Co., Minnesota in 1867 where he lived with his wife, Mary McCanna and his family for the rest of his life.  

At age 76, I plan to visit this part of Ireland during May 15-19, 2024 to see what else I can find out about my family and just explore the area.  It's a lifelong dream to see the area and I would love any ideas on what to research before I leave. 

I've looked at the Tithe Applotment Books and Griffiths Evaluations for this parish and the Hanrahan name is abundant in some areas.   And of course there many of them are named John.   I have also done Y-DNA testing with Family Tree DNA and have found a modern Michael Handrahan who also has ancestors from this area (Another John Hanrahan who married a Mary Walsh in the early 1800's).   However, our common ancestor may go back to the 1600's or earlier.   I also have had autosomal DNA testing with Family Tree DNA, Ancestry DNA, and 23&Me.   

Thank you for reading this.

Patrick (Pat) Hanrahan

Portland, Oregon, USA