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Madden Family from Kings (Offaly)

Offaly

I am trying to trace my Madden family.  My great-great grandfather was John Madden.  He was born about 1824 in what was then Kings County.  He had an older brother, James (Shamus) born between 1822 and 1824), sister Elizabeth born 1834, sister Catherine.  Possible two other brothers or cousins named Patrick born about 1832 and Michael born about 1837.  We believe they came from around Banagher but not sure.  An article about Elizabeth's husband who was a prominent builder in Toledo, Ohio USA said that Elizabeth was born Kings County, Ireland, date of birth was May 10, 1834 and listed the village or town as a name I could not find on any map or information about Kings County.  However, the spelling made me think that the person writing the article did not know the spelling for Banagher and tried to do the best he could on the name.  From what I remember hearing from my grandmother and her brothers, their grandparents did not talk about the home country and as far as I know no letters or keepsakes were handed down to their children.  John came over before 1850 has he appears on the 1850 U.S. (Ohio) census as does James and Catherine.  I am not sure about the dates of arrival for Patrick, Elizabeth or Michael.  I have a hand drawn family tree that came from a distant cousin under Elizabeth and it shows James, John, and Catherine on it as sibblings.  I only have a portion of it so not sure if Michael and Patrick are somewhere on the section I do not have.  My grandmother said that the story that was passed down to her was that they came over due to an argument about a stolen cow and there was a death involved.  Not sure how much of this is credible but thought it might help in locating any information about John or his family.  I am hoping to come to Offlay perhaps next spring if the virus allows safe travel between the U.S. and Ireland.  If I can find out more about my Madden family, I would love to be able to share with other Madden cousins who have also would like to come to Ireland to see where their roots are.  Any information anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.  Also, who should I contact to see about my visit there.  Would I fly into Dublin and then a short flight to Offlay; or a train trip or a bus?  I know the county has a visitor's center but having information on the best and easiest way to get to where I want to go would be a blessing.  Thank you for any help you can give me.  Shirley Baker

Shirley Baker

4 replies

Shirley:

I searched on the subscription site Roots Ireland in the Banagher records to see if I could locate John and his siblings. Fortunately for you the Banagher records go way back to at least 1811 for baptisms although there are some gaps in the records. Here is a link to the parish register  https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0149

On Roots Ireland, I located four children of Patrick Madden and his wife Catherine; Anne 1817 James 1825 Catherine 1827 Patrick 1830. NOTE in the early 1800s the priest in Banagher was not showing the maiden name of the mother.

There was no John baptismal record for this family but maybe his baptism was not transcribed or he was born in a gap period.

I found another family in Banagher. The father was Simon and the mother was either Sabina or Judith-- John 1825 Patrick 1832 Brigid 1840.

The earliest John Madden baptismal record on Roots Ireland for Co. Offaly was the 1825 Banagher record mentioned above. There were two 1829 records but likely 1829 is too late.

So at this time we have some leads but no definitive connection. Keep in mind that not all RC parishes have records back to the 1820s and if your ancestors were baptized in another nearby parish which has later starting records, we may not be able to locate records for your Madden ancestors.

Let me know if you have any othe clues. Have you tested your DNA?

Hopefully, next spring there will be no restrictions on travel. I will let our HQ know about your potential trip.

Regarding flights, at this time we don't know which airlines are going to fly into Dublin or Shannon airport from what US cities. Shannon is actually closer to Offaly but flights into Shannon may be limited. You would have to rent a car or perhaps bus or train to get to Co. Offaly. Another option is to hire someone to drive you there.

Roget McDonnell

 

 

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Shirley,

Further to Roger's post, Offaly History Centre in Tullamore, Co. Offaly may be able to assist. They cover Counties Laois and Offaly.

Email: info@offalyhistory.com

They do not charge, but request a donation to cover their expenses.

Regards,

McCoy

Hi Shirley,
My grandmother was Catherine Madden from the Rapemills, Banagher, Co. Offaly.
I currently live in Banagher and would be delighted to meet you when you come visit Ireland next spring. I am on Ancestry.com and Heritage.com so you can find out if we're cousins.

Regards,
Aengus Byrne

aengustbyrne, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Hi

..My name is Karen Madden Dreiser. I plan to take a trip to Ireland next month. Looking for family. My grandfather was Matthew A Madden Born Nov 5th, 1885. Born in Ulster County NY and died in Kingston NY 12401 March 17th 1960.  MY Dad James Madden was born June 22, 1921- and died April 30, 2015. He was the only child of Matthew and Margaret Kerr-Madden 

Matthews Dad was Thomas Madden who was born in Banagher Ireland in 1842 Dec 1842 and died July 19th 1894 at the age of 51.  Thomas was married to Harriet Elizabeth Rourke Madden born Dec 1848 and died May 17, 1901, at the age of 52 in Kingston NY.

 

They had James J Madden born March 16-died Jan 24, 1919, at 44 years old and buried in St, Marys Cemetary.  Patrick F. Madden, born in November 1874, died on January 18th, 1932, and is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Kingston, NY.

John Frederick Madden, born in 1877, passed away in July 1957. buried in St. Peter's cemetery Kingston NY.

  Thomas Joseph Madden Jr. July 25th, 1880-Death 1930 and is buried in St. Mary's Cemetary. Kingston NY.

Kearn F. Madden Oct. 12-1882 and died June 11, 1952 and is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery, Kingston NY

MATTHEW A. MADDEN (MY GRANDFATHER) Born Nov 5th, 1885, and died on March 17th 1960. I was born in Jan 1960, so I never knew him. Also buried in St. Mary's Cemetary, Kingston NY

Mary M Madden Scherer born March 1890 and died March 9th !960 and is buried in St. Peter's Cemetary in Kingston NY 

I also know my Great  Great Grandfather was JAMES MADDEN he was born in BANAGHER Ireland Dec 1809-died Dec 1890 was buried in St. Mary's Cemetary. James was married to Anna Scully Madden who fell down the stairs and died in 1888 Anna was born in Clonmacnoise Ireland.

James had a brother Micheal Madden of Kingston NY. Patrick, Elizabeth, Joanne Madden and Mary madden all of Banagher Ireland.

Father of James Jr who died in Dublin prision 1884.Patrick who was stabbed to death on July 31, 1868 in Hoboken New Jersey, John of Adrian Minnesota,

Thomas of Kingston, N.Y.  Matthew of New York City Mary and Anna(both died as toddlers)  and grandfather of 16 grandchildren.  If anyone knows anything, please reach out to me. I know I have a wonderful cousin Tom Collins who did a ton of research on family. It's so confusing. Thanks very much!

 

Karen MaddenDreiser  MaddenDreiser@gmail.com 

KMD123

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