Naming Convention query and Sponsors.

While there's no law about godparents, in my experience they were usually close relatives. I've often see the witnesses at the wedding (usually siblings) be the godparents of the first child.  But then again, close friends or neighbors might be witnesses as well.  

Were witnesses from both sides of a family? No hard and fast rule about that as far as I know.

Maybe send the names of the children/witnesses you are trying to figure out? Perhaps someone here can help further.

Thank you.  That is helpful.

My family came from Killukin (Boyle) Croghan Area.  Roman Catholic. They emigrated around time of the Famine.  Denis Gannon (believe Denis died in Ireland or UK) & Mary Stapleton (emigrated to USA with the children but may have been in UK first).    If anyone knows of these families any info would be gratefully received. Period from 1825 to 1843.  Thank you.

Child 1 - Sponsors were John Dolan & Ellen Gannon  (I have no idea of John Dolan but think Ellen may be Denis's sister?)

Child 2 - Sponsors were Mark Hanly & Catherine Stapleton (I have no idea of Mark Hanley but I think Catherine may be Mary's Mother)

Child 3 - Sponsors were W Flynn & M Stapleton (I have no idea of who these are but M surely must be Mother's side)

Child 4 - James Dolan & Bridget Cox (I have no idea)

Child 5 - Thomas Gannon & Anne Higgins (Thomas is the brother of baby but have no idea of Anne Higgins)

Child 6 & Child 7 - Thomas and Catherine Gannon (Siblings)

Child 8 - John Gannon (Sibling) an Margaret Cox (I have no idea who she may be).

Thank you.

Veronica

Why not look for these names on rootsireland.ie; it's a paid site but you can join for just a day or a week.

Look for Cox married to Gannon or Stapleton, for example. Hanly married to Stapleton, etc.

I hope this is helpful.