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Search for Michael Charles Durning + Willman/Wellman/Brown, possibly northern region

Hello, I am searching for my great grandmother’s family in Ireland. 

Her name was Sarah Gertrude Durning. She was born in Brooklyn, New York  in 1890. Her father’s name was Michael Charles Durning and her mother’s maiden name was Mary Jane Willman or Mary Jane Brown Willman or Wellman?

I know birth, census, and death records are not accurate, especially in America in the 1800s. I have one possible document that states “Durnin.” However, all other documents I have clearly states “Durning” with a “g” at the end. 

One census record stated his birthplace was from “Northern Ireland.” I believe I have found Michael Charles Durning’s death certificate but the age is off by 7 to 10 years (age 53 should be around 60). His listed family names were Father-James Durning and Mother-Annie McCauley. He would have been born around 1851. 

My family on all sides were Catholic. Sarah Gertrude Durning married a German Catholic. Not sure if he was American born and spoke English? My father remembers his grandmother as being Irish. Gertrude isn’t exactly a popular Irish name?

Sarah’s mother’s name was Mary Jane Willman. I also have a listing for Mary Jane Brown Willman and possibly Wellman. I am not sure if that surname is Irish/English/Welsh/Scottish or maybe even German? Her birthday should also be around 1851.

I have searched various ancestry sites and most Durnings are listed in the northern region of Ireland and Dublin. Michael Charles Durning listed birthplace in all documents have stated Ireland/Northern Ireland. I am not finding any information on Michael Charles Durning in Ireland? I could be overlooking his information since I have Irish ancestry on both sides of my family. 

Willman is listed as being born in the US. I believe this is somewhat of a common name in Ireland/UK?

Any information about these surnames would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time. - Jessica 

Jess Wrubel Carr

2 replies

Jess,

Whilst Durning may have been the normal spelling in the USA, Ireland was rarely so precise. Expect the surname to vary here. Durnien, Durnion, Durneen and Durnen are common variants. It was largely down to the whim of the person recording the information. A change of priest may therefore lead to a change of spelling. But most people in Ireland in the 1800s were fairly indifferent to spelling anyway.

There are a number of trees on Ancestry which show Michael Durning born in Lisnarick in Co Fermanagh c 1851. No sources provided. Lisnarick is in Northern Ireland which matches your information. And the surname McCauley is found in Fermanagh, though not particularly around Lisnarick. But that general area might be where the family originate.

Lisnarick is in the RC parish of Irvinestown. Their baptism records start in 1846 and marriages in 1851. They are on-line on various sites. I have searched for Michael’s baptism as well of 2 siblings recorded as being born in Ireland ie Bridget 1864 & Thomas 1865. I did not find any of them. Statutory birth registration started in Ireland in 1864 so I searched the statutory records for Bridget & Thomas’s births, but again without success. Possibly Michael’s family come from a parish whose RC records don’t cover the years you need.

The family seems to have been in NJ by 1870, judging by the trees, so presumably Michael met his wife in the USA. She is shown as US born. Willman/Wellman is not common in Ireland at all. Just 13 Willman and 5 Wellman in Ireland in the 1901 census, and several of those were born in England or Wales. Unlikely therefore that Mary Jane’s family originate in Ireland.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Hello Elwyn, 

Thank You!🍀

I appreciate your research and time! 

-Jess

Jess Wrubel Carr

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