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Stephen Dorian McOnigly. Cooladerry Mountain.

Donegal

Stephen Dorian McOnigly born Cooladerry Mt.( Parish of Clondavaddog.) abt 1862. Parents named on his Australian marriage cerificate are Frances McOnigly( farmer) & Jane Dorian.There is a Frances McOnigle farming land in Cooladerry Mt of Lord Leitrem in Griffith Valuation & a Francis McCunnigal rentling 23 acres in 1857 from Lord Leitrem . ? Same peson.

Stephen came to Australia abt 1888, as he joined the Queensland Police Force in Brisbane in June 1889 & stated he'd been in Queenslandfor 11 months. His Police admission papers state he was "27 yrs old , 5ft 11 & half inches tall, brown eyes & black hair, was Irish & calling was farming "

He married Amy Atkinson Barnes ( from York in UK) in Queensland in 1895, They had 6 childen , 5 daughters & a son ( Frances)who died aged abt 12 yrs . .Stephen died in 1912 ,aged 51 yrs.

Just wondering if there are any resourcesI canfollow for his siblings or parent's families ( McOnigly or Dorian )in Clondavaddog Parish. Haven't found them on 1901 Census.

Possibly the surname was changed in Australia as I note there are some variences in spelling in Donegal records

Mary Higgins

Mary Higgins

3 replies

Welcome Mary to Ireland Reaching Out!

Thank you for posting up your query of your McOnigly family that would have left the shores of Mulroy Bay in Fanad back in the late 1880's travelling a fairly hazardous journey halfway across world to set down roots as a farmer in Queenland, Australia, it is a fasinating story. I will have a look into finding you any resources I can for Stephen and that of his that fingers crossed may be still living in the locality within the community. I will be in contact again in a few days time. 

All the best

Seamus

P.S, If you have the time, Stephen McOnigly would make a very welcome addition to the Ancestors Page for the Parish of Clondavaddog (Fanad & Glenvar), with the interesting information you have provided above and the findings we will be able to find and add to the profile over time. There is plenty of McConigley and McGonigle families would find it interestesting reading for sure, thanks again.

https://www.irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/history-and-genealogy/ancestor-dat…

 

Clondavaddog Donegal, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you for your prompt response.  I have fairly comprehensive information on his life in Queensland Police Force, then as a Hotelier on retirement & on his family that I'm happy to share . He is my husband's great grandfather.

Mary Higgins

Mary Higgins

Hi Mary, 
I have searched the Parish Register for Clondavaddog (Fanad) a good few time over the weekend for any mention of Stephen which wouldn’t happen to be a popular name back in the day, or any similar McConigly names in or around 1862 +/- 5years and unfortunately, I have had no luck. I kept returning trying different things to tie down a family with similarities such as names (Francis, Stephen) that would be handed down and traceable perhap by location or Census records.
That does in no way mean that your information in Australia is incorrect, it simply means that Stephens Birth in Fanad was not  registered at the time and I have come across this loads of times.
I have found only a few different references for a Francis McConigly however it is not a Jane Dorian but a Catherine Clinton that is recored as his wife back in the mid 1800's.
Here is just a few search link I would have used that you could double check, I have added a few Birth records and some interesting Census links, and also two location in Fanad both known locally as Cooladerry, I was wondering if any in particular take your interest. I would love to see or rather view any documents that you have of Stephen and his connection back home.
Regards 
Seamus
______________________________
RC Church Register for Parish of Clondavaddog (1847+) - https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/1011

Registered McConigly Births, Marriages and Deaths in Fannett (Fanad) -  Civil Records (1864+) https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/civil-search.jsp

Townland of Cooladerry (close to Ballinacrick) - https://www.townlands.ie/donegal/kilmacrenan/clondavaddog/fanad-north/c…
Townland of Cooladerry Mountain - https://www.townlands.ie/donegal/kilmacrenan/clondavaddog/fanad-north/c…
1901 Census Ireland – Fanad North - http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Donegal/Fanad_North/
1911 Census Ireland – Fanad North - http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Donegal/Fanad_North/

 

Clondavaddog Donegal, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

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