Looking for information on Regans who emigrated from Donegal around the mid-1800's.

Hello!

My name is Norma Wilson, and I’m researching my paternal Regan family line. My great-grandfather, Thomas Regan, was a police officer in Philadelphia in the late 1800s and was possibly born in the U.S., but his parents are believed to have come from Donegal, Ireland.

I’m hoping to learn more about the Regan families from Donegal who emigrated to Pennsylvania around the mid-1800s. Any information about Regans from Donegal, especially in the areas of Ballyshannon, Donegal Town, or nearby parishes, would be very appreciated!

Thank you in advance for any help or guidance you can offer.

—Norma

Normasart

last year

7 replies

Norma,

To assist volunteers can you provide more info about Thomas. Approximate date of birth. When he married, to whom, and where. When and where did he die. Who were his children (ages). Do you know his parents' names?

Regards- Mary

mtvrdk@gmail.com

last year

Hello MaryTV,

Thank you for your reply. I’m seeking information on my ancestor Thomas Regan, who may have originated in Ireland, possibly County Donegal. Below is the information I have so far:

Thomas Regan

- Estimated birth year: ~1844

- Place of birth: Unknown (likely U.S. or Ireland; possibly Philadelphia or Donegal)

- Occupation: Police officer in Philadelphia

- Married to: Christiana [maiden name unknown]

- Marriage date: Estimated between 1875–1882, likely in Philadelphia

- Died: Before 1900 (was deceased by 1900 census; possibly in the line of duty)

- Death location: Likely Philadelphia

- Parents: Names unknown (believed to be Irish immigrants, possibly from Donegal)

Children of Thomas and Christiana:

(They reportedly had 9 children; 5 were living as of 1900. These are the two currently known:)

- Mary Regan – born ~1877, Philadelphia

- Leavitt Regan – born 1883, Philadelphia; died 1959

Any leads on a Thomas Regan who emigrated to Philadelphia before the 1870s, possibly born ~1840–1850 in Donegal, and who married a Christiana, would be deeply appreciated.

Warm regards,

Norma Wilson

Normasart

last year

is this the Leavitt connected to the family

Name	Leavitt Regan
Race	White
Gender	Male
Death Age	75
Birth Date	14 Sep 1883
Birth Place	Philadelphia
Death Date	26 Feb 1959
Death Place	Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Father	Thomas Regan
Mother	Anna Regan
Spouse	Sadie Regan
Certificate Number	28589

mtvrdk@gmail.com

last year

I found records on Family Search. Is this your Thomas?

Name	Thomas Regan
Sex	Male
Age	18
Birth Year (Estimated)	1842
Birthplace	Pennsylvania
Race	White
Event Type	Census
Event Date	1860
Event Place	East Division 17th Ward Philadelphia City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Event Place (Original)	The Eastern Part Of The 17th Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Page Number	228
Affiliate Publication Number	M653
Affiliate Name	The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

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Ireland

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Charles and John were weavers

Name	Thomas Ragan
Sex	Male
Age	8
Birth Year (Estimated)	1842
Birthplace	Pennsylvania
Race	White
Event Type	Census
Event Date	1850
Event Place	Kensington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Event Place (Original)	Kensington, ward 3, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Household Identifier	1211
House Number	899
Line Number	12
Schedule Type	1850 Population
Affiliate Publication Number	M432
Affiliate Name	The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

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Ireland

Ireland

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Regards- Mary

mtvrdk@gmail.com

last year

You might want to contact the Philadelphia Police Department to see if they have info on Thomas.

Other links to checkout

The Philadelphia police, past and present. | Library of Congress

Fallen Officers | Philadelphia Police Department (PPD)

Mary

mtvrdk@gmail.com

last year

I have not found a birth record with Christina. I think the Leavitt I identified above was not yours. His parents were born in the 1860s. Interesting he shares the same birth year and father's name as yours.

1910 Census, perhaps your family.

Name	Christina Reagon[Christina Reagan]
Age in 1910	54
Birth Date	1856[1856]
Birthplace	Pennsylvania
Home in 1910	Philadelphia Ward 10, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Sheet Number	5b
Street	Winter St
House Number	1524
Race	White
Gender	Female
Relation to Head of House	Head
Marital Status	Widowed
Father's Birthplace	Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace	Pennsylvania
Native Tongue	English
Able to read	Y
Able to Write	Y
Enumeration District Number	0150
Number of Children Born	4
Number of Children Living	3
Enumerated Year	1910
Neighbors	View others on page
Household Members (Name)AgeRelationship
Christina Reagon	54	Head
James Reagan	33	Son
Isabella Reagan	28	Daughter
William Brady	32	Boarder
George Mulheom	16	Nephew
Michael McLaughlin	16

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mtvrdk@gmail.com

last year

Hello,

Leavitt is my grandfather that you found. We have Thomas's birth year approximately around 1844. He died at age 40 according to my aunt. He was a police officer and was killed. I am not sure if it was in the line of duty. Anna was listed as a widow in the 1900 census. The link they have on Family Tree Search is wrong for Thomas. I think another member of my family did that. Christina is not my great grandmother. She was Christiana but all the records have her as Anna. I am hoping to find Thomas and Anna's parents. I will see what I can find from the Library of Congress.

Thank you for your research,

Norma

Normasart

last year

Looking for information on Regans who emigrated from Donegal around the mid-1800's.

7 replies

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