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Triggs Family - Bantry Area 1850's

CorkKilmocomoge (Cork)

My ancestor, John Triggs was born between 1845 and 1848in the Bantry area, most likely Coorloum North in Kilmocomoge. He emigrated to American between 1865 - 1870 settling in West Springfield, Massachusetts. His US marriage certificate lists his Irish parents as Patrick (Triggs) and Ellen (Sullivan, Burke, McGrath?) In 1994,Nora O'Brien from St. Finbarr's Catholic Church gave me a list of Triggs spouses from that time period, so I believe it was either Ellen Sullivan or Ellen McGrath. From what I see there was a lot of intermingling among the Triggs/Sullivan/Keohane/McGrath and Flynn families. They were tenants of Daniel Cronin in Coorloum North, Coomhola, Borlin. Any help tracking down the correct Ellen who was married to Patrick Triggs in the 1840's would be greatly appreciated.

Steven Triggs

Orlando, Florida 2019

striggs7

11 replies

There's a baptism listed on the IrishGenealogy website for a John Triggs Bantry RC parish with parents Patrick Triggs and Ellen McGrath but it's in 1844..  see here

Where did the 1848 reference you mentioned originate ?

Ages / Years of birth provided in later documents are often inaccurate, so I'd always allow at least a couple of years either way when searching. The baptism date for that John is in July, so maybe the month was correct but the year incorrect, or he underestimated his age at some stage.

There's a separate Patrick Triggs in the same parish married to an Ellen Sullivan, with baptisms listed for several  children around the same time as the other couple, e.g. Julia in 1843, but no sign of a child named John for them.

 

 

 

 

shanew147IrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you so much for your prompt reply with the helpful links. Much appreciated!

The "fly in the ointment" is my ancestor's 1875 Marriage Certificate. John Triggs lists his parents'  names as Patrick and Ellen. However, he also lists his age as 29, not 27 as it would be if he were born on 29 July 1848.  

I have a document supplied by the parish of Bantry that certifies the birth of John Triggs on 29 July 1848 and baptism at St. Finbarr.  However, his parents are listed as John Triggs and Mary Cronin with sponsors Patrick Harrington and Julia Cronin. 

I also have documentation from the parish of a marriage between John Triggs and Mary Cronin at St. Finbarr on 8 January 1838. 

US Census records square wiith the July 1848 date and John's obituary mentions him emigrating to America in 1865 at the age of 18. 

Is there any accounting for the births of the John Triggs - Mary Cronin union?

As always, many thanks!

Steve Triggs

 

striggs7

I think I'd go with one with the matching parents names, ages are very often incorrect. I dont see that other John Triggs with parents John and Mary either transcribed or in the register images for Bantry parish, but the register is quite difficult to decipher.

 

 

shanew147IrelandXO Volunteer

I've attached the two records I received from Bantry regarding the John Triggs - Mary Cronin union. Any idea where this information came from? 

 

Best,

Steve

striggs7

(just the one attachment that I see - the transcript of the marriage)

Had a closer look at the register images for Bantry parish on IrishGenealogy, and there are pages missing - or possibly out of sequence. I didn't find any January 1838 marriages listed for the parish in the records online at least...

 

 

 

 

shanew147IrelandXO Volunteer

Thanks so much. I've attached the baptismal record I received. It was too large to send with the other document.

Cheers,

Steve

striggs7

Thanks shanew147! Good luck with the search Steve

Regards

Clare Doyle

Genealogy Support 

IrelandXO member

I'm not so sure that 1848 baptism record is your John - of the clues you've mentioned I'd place most weight on the parents names matching what he stated at marriage, this is a record that he was present to give details for as an adult. Ages / years of birth are often incorrect, many people didn't know their age accurately, they didn't need to, and just two years difference is not significant in my view, I've seems many ages for confirmed links hat turned out to be further out than this. Do you have a clues from US records that specifically point to Bantry or the general area ?

There seems to be a cluster of Triggs families in the Bantry area, so you need to be careful to find the correct link.

I think the strongest suspects, if that's the right phrase, for his parents are that Patrick Triggs and Ellen McGrath. Unfortunately no sign of a marriage for Patrick and Ellen that I see in the available records online, in Bantry parish or nearby..

p.s. Are John's parent's names given on his death cert ?

shanew147IrelandXO Volunteer

I'm beginning to come around to your way of thinking that the names on the wedding certificate is the best evidence for Patrick Triggs and Ellen McGrath. The 29 July 1848 date came from that birth record supplyied by St. Finbarr for the son born to John Triggs and Mary Cronin. John Triggs' birthdate is all over the map in the US records. The 1900 US Census lists his birthdate as June 1848 (not July) On his marriage record, dated 23 September 1875, he lists his age as 29 which would place his birth date in 1846. His grave stone simply says 1848. Many of the other census records are within the 1846 - 1848 range. His emigration date is listed in one census as 1865...1866 in another. 

I'm interested in following the Patrick Triggs - Ellen McGrath line with a possible birth date for John in the 1846 - 1848 range. 

As always, many thanks. I think your advice is right on target.

Best,

Steve

striggs7

I am new to this, so patience please.  My name is Kathleen McKenna and I am looking for information about my maternal grandmother, Mary Cronin Harrington.  I am trying to find her date of birth; her family was in Coomhola, I believe.  And her mother's maiden name was Triggs.  So Mr Stephen Triggs, striggs7, we may be related.  

 

Kathleen McKenna

 

Hi all

i am looking for an Ellen or Ellin Triggs matrried to James Brien on 27th January 1859 in Drimoleague. 
im finding it really hard to track down when Ellen was born and where. Any one any information?

Thanks 

Liz 

Elizabeth Laura Wakefield

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