Hi, My great grandfather came to England around 1860. He settled in East Yorkshire and married Esther Harland where they had 8 children. He lived most of his life in Hedon, east Yorkshire. i want to know where he came from and whether he had siblings. We know he came from Ballyhaunis because of a refernce to it in a family bible. I would like to hear from anyone who may have any information with regard to is family in Ireland.
John:
Welcome to ireland Reaching Out!
It may be difficult to find information about John because the RC parish records for Annagh (Ballyhaunis) parish are available starting in 1851. I did check the 1856 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing for that parish and there were two McNamara records: a Margaret in Corraun townland and a Michael in Garraun townland. Do you have any information on his parents names?
Roger McDonnell
John McNamara born Ballyhaunis abt 1838
Hello john ,
Whilst Roger’s answer to your initial question is correct on the availability of records, you may have options in understanding the various branches of the McNamara family around Ballyhaunis and hopefully make a connection. The links below will assist.
The cemetery records should give an idea of their locations late 1800’s and the 1900’s.
The Annagh Magazine contains stories of many of the family names of the area and is the only documented source which in some instances can overcome the absence of pre 1850 parish records. A lot to look at but if it wasn’t there wouldn’t be hope.
The Catholic Parish Records offer the opportunity to check the occurrence of at least your ancestors name as the window of 1851-1860 may have seen him act as a sponsor or witness to a baptism or marriage, though there may be others of the parish sharing the same name.
National Library Catholic Parish Records
http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/1040
Local Historic Graveyard records
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2357783&CScntry
Annagh Magazine
http://www.annaghmag.ie/backissues.html
John McNamara from Ballyhaunis was my Great Great Grandfather. He was a local merchant. My great grandfather was also named John McNamara.
I have a photo from the early 1900's taken by a local Ballyahunis photographer at the time.
There was a "Clog Factory" owned by McNamara’s where John Meehan's barn now is. There were fifteen people employed. The soles were made from Ash timber from trees grown locally. They had a machine which would cut out a large number of soles by pressing one lever. This machine is in Knock Museum. The clogs were sold locally and some were exported to England. McNamara’s moved into Ballyhaunis and continued their work on a bigger scale in Main Street where the Man's Shop and Eatons are now. In Ballyhaunis they expanded their business and made ordinary shoes also. A person could order a pair of shoes in the morning to be made to their measure and they would be ready in the evening. The McNamara’s were the predecessors of the Dalton sisters formerly of Clare Street now in the U.S. who are regular subscribers of the Annagh Magazine.