Looking for information on the Dooley family
Hello,
I'm an American of Irish descent, looking for information about where in Ireland my ancestors came from, in preparation for a family trip to Ireland (I hope!) next May. My great great grandfather, Michael Dooley, emigrated from Ireland to Massachusetts in 1849. I know (from US documents) that he was born in Ireland in August 1838, and that his parents' names were William Dooley and Catherine Madden. In researching this, I found Youghalarra parish records reflecting the marriage of William Dooley and Catherine Madden on May 7, 1837, and a baptism record of Michael Dooley at the same parish on August 8, 1838. I also found a baptism record of Thomas Dooley on December 22, 1839 with the same parents, so presumably Michael's brother. I have found no other records of this family.
I know that Michael Dooley emigrated to Boston in approximately 1849, and I found a ship roster that shows a Michael Dooley , age 11, from Ireland traveling from Liverpool to Boston in August 1849. It seems likely that this is my great great grandfather, as the age, year of emigration, and destination all match up to known information. However, this roster shows Michael Dooley traveled with a Patrick Dooley, age 13, and no other Dooleys on the ship. This would have been during the famine, so it's possible that Michael's parents died, and he traveled to America without them. However, my Michael Dooley didn't have a brother named Patrick (to my knowledge), and the date of his parents' wedding suggest that Michael was their oldest child. I suppose Patrick could have been a cousin. Michael and Patrick are listed on the ship roster with a Hannah Connery (adult) and Sarah Connery (age 16).
I find no death records for William Dooley, Catherine Madden Dooley, or Thomas Dooley (Michael's brother), and wonder what happened to them. If anyone has any information about this family, I would love to learn more.
Thank you!