Ireland XO
Back to Message Board

Martin Cunningham

I am searching for informtion about my gg grandfather.

His name was Martin Cunningham .

He was born in Roscommon, Ireland abt 1822.

He joined the British Army ( 52nd Regiment of Foot ) on the 5th January 1843. He served 2 years 6 months and was then discharged for health reasons.

In 1850 he was charged with stealing a cow ( 2nd Offence ) and was sentnced to 7 years transportation to Tasmania, Australia.

He arrived on the Rodney 3 in 1852. He married my gg grandmother in 1856 and on his marriage record it states he as a widower.

Beyond this I know nothing about his life in Ireland. His family or his first wife or even if he had children still living in Ireland.

I would like to know if there are any records or information left about him. I'm sure he had a hard life, he could not read or write. I assume his family were very poor.

I look forward to hearing from anyone who is able to help me.

I live in West Australia

Regards Colleen Cole

IrelandXO member

2 replies

Colleen:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

Most Roscommon RC parishes do not have records back to 1822. I did check Roots Ireland and they had an 1820 baptismal record in the Roscommon town RC parish. See below.Without knowing your Martin's parents names, there is no way to confirm this record. In the 19th century Cunningham was a very common surname in Roscommon and it was found in many parishes. I could not find a Martin Cunnigham marriage in the 1840s on Roots. 

You may want to consider autosomal DNA testing. Possibly you will match someone with Cunningham connections.

Let me know if you have questions.

Roger McDonnell

 

Name:Martin CunnighamDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:07-Nov-1820Address:Not RecordedParish/District:ROSCOMMONGender:MaleCountyCo. Roscommon
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Bernard CunnighamMother:Honor FlynOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Bartholomew LallySponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Mary Farell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Colleen Cole, I have just found your post of 2016 whilst doing a google search for Martin Cunningham. I don't know if you have progressed but I do have a little information that may interest you. You may also be able to help me. My great great grandmother was Mary Cunningham from Roscommon and I believe that there is a connection to your Martin. You can contact me via email or if you would like to chat please call   0403870273

Kind regards,  Ian Whittington

Ian Whitt

Reply

Reply
One image file up to 2 MB.