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Armagh ancestors McGettigan/McGarvey/Harkins/Cafferty

Armagh (Armagh)

Hello! I'm not sure where to start, but if anyone has any information to provide I'd be forever grateful! I'm visiting Armagh in June and was hoping to possibly find gravesites and other historic sites for a few ancestors. For these ancestors, I only have that they were born and died in Armagh, there isn't a designation for city/parish/county. They include my great great grandparents James Joseph McGettigan (1849-1912) and Rosanna McGarvey McGettigan, born and died in "Armagh"; James' parents Daniel McGettigan (1818-1887) and Grace Cafferty McGettigan (1818-1890); Rosanna's parents Anthony McGarvey and Rose Harkins McGarvey (dates unknown).

James McGettigan had siblings Patrick and Annie, Rosanna had sibling "Mic".

I may not understand the designation "Armagh" correctly, or perhaps the information given to me is incomplete. If anyone has the time to comment about that, I'd appreciate it! Also, if anyone has any knowledge of the families themselves (longshot!!) that would be wonderful. And what are the odds that a Catholic church in Armagh would have records of the birth/death/gravesite of any of the ancestors? Thank you in advance for any help!!

Sharon

SharonRod63

3 replies

Sharon,

I looked for marriage records, but came up with nothing for James and Rosanna. Given that James was born in 1849, his marriage should be in the civil marriage records that began in 1864. The only thing I did find was an error. The Daniel McGettigan who died in 1887 in Armagh was the archbishop of Armagh...a single man. Attached is his civil death record to view.

Regards,

Carolyn

Sharon,

I searched the statutory records for a death for James McGettigan in and around 1912, anywhere in Ireland, but without success. I searched for a marriage for him to Rosanna McGarvey, again without success. Likewise no trace of the death of Grace McGettigan in 1890.

I searched the 1901 & 1911 censuses for James Joseph McGettigan in Armagh but without success. (The surname seems to be associated mostly with Co Donegal, not Armagh). Likewise no sign of Rosanna.

There are a number of trees on Ancestry listing this family. They show James and Rosanna marrying in Donegal on 8th Feb 1866 and then emigrating to Philadelphia via Liverpool. James Joseph died there 15.9.1912 and likewise Rosanna in May 1922.

I did find a record on one of the trees of Daniel and Grace McGettigan, reportedly living in Skreen Upper, Kilmacrenan, Co Donegal in the 1851 census extracts (compiled for state pension purposes). The applicant was their son Patrick McGettigan who was still alive in 1916 and who was probably 70 that year (pension eligibility age). This may be the pension applicant in 1911:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Donegal/Glen/Glenmenagh/504572/

His wife looks to have been Mary Coyle. Can’t find a marriage for the couple though.

Death here for a Daniel McGettigan of Skreen in 1889. Wife had pre-deceased.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1889/06142/4754504.pdf

This is probably Grace’s death in 1883:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1883/06375/4829583.pdf

Her husband is named as Donald rather than Daniel but it was the workhouse Master who recorded the death so either Donald was an alternative name Daniel used or the informant made a mistake.

You’ll need to check out your information about the deaths in Armagh, but I can’t see anyone who fits your information who lived and died in Armagh. Clearly James & Rosanna are believed by some to have died in the USA, not Ireland. And I think the family may have originated in Donegal not Armagh. I think you need to check the sources of your information. It may not be totally accurate.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you both so much! I will double check everything and move forward. Thanks again, I appreciate your time and effort in this! Sharon

SharonRod63

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