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Michael Coggins

Michael Coggins death certificate states he was born March 16, 1862, he died Aug 29, 1909 in Scranton PA.  According to the census, and death certificate he was born in Ireland, his son my grandfather John Joseph Coggins said the family came from Sligo /Mayo area.  Around 1886 he married Mary Anne Jordan who was born March 13, 1871 in Pennsylvania to Irish born parents James Jordan and Mary Walsh.  The information on immigration is not clear he was here by 1886, however he indicated he came here at 25 years old which would be 1887, but he also indicated he came in 1875 which would make him 13.  I cannot find any more information on him.  His parents are listed as Patrick Coggins and Mary Malia on the death certificate.

Maryjane

4 replies

Maryjane:

I searched the subscription site Roots Ireland and did not find a Michael Coggins baptismal record in Mayo or Sligo around 1862. I think from your message, I get the sense that Michael may have been born in the 1850s. It was not unusual for an immigrant to make themselves younger when they came to their new country. A good number of Mayo and Sligo RC parishes do not have records back to the 1850s.

I also looked for a Patrick Coggins/Marie Malia marriage record. I found a "weak" lead in Killedan RC parish in East Mayo. There was an January 30 1842 marriage in that church between a Patrick Coggin and a Marie Mullee. I assume you found Malia on the 1909 death record from Pennsylvania. It is possible the informant did not know the correct spelling of Michael's mothers surname.

Coggins was not a very common surname.

Have you considered DNA testing?

Let me know if you have any questions.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Both my brother and I did DNA through Ancestry.  My brother is 51% Irish predominately Connacht, North Connacht, North Mayo, North East May and North West Sligo.  15% Scottish.  I am also 51% Irish same distribution but 34% Scottish.   Michael Coggins was born in Ireland  his wife Mary Jordan  was born in US PA to parents born in Ireland.  Michael and Mary had 2 sons, James Francis and my Granpa John Joseph. Michael died in1909, James Francis died 1911, and Mary died in 1910, leaving my Grandpa with no paternal relatives the US at the age of 20.  He left PA and met and married my grandmother in NY in 1916.

 

Maryjane

Maryjane:

I'm not seeing any good leads when I searched the subscription site Roots Ireland. Have you tried contacting some of your closest DNA matches to see if there is a Coggins connection?

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

I have found very little about Michael.  Coggins is a common name in the US, in fact there were over 20 Michael Coggins in the Scranton PA, at the same time my Gramdpa lived there but none related to me and many supposedly born in Ireland.  Thank you.

Maryjane

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