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Looking for ancestors

DonegalMevagh (Donegal)

Greetings,

My name is Don Bott, and I live in California. Many of my ancestors come from Ireland, though mostly a long time ago. I understand that my four times great grandfather, Maurice McGettigan — which can be spelled many different ways — was born in Mevagh, Donegal, in 1790. His wife was Mary O'Brien, born 1787, also in Donegal, but maybe not in the same county.

Some decades later they emigrated to the United States, but they were raised, married and had children in Ireland.

The family surname changed a bit. In the U.S. it became Gittens.

Does anyone know anything about this family?

Thank you so much!

Don

IrelandXO member

3 replies

Hi - Thank you for your message. Some sites & services which might be helpful to your research are:

The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/

The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx

The National Archives UK ? genealogy search: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/

The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm

Irish Newspaper Archives: http://www.irishnewsarchive.com/

Donegal Diaspora: http://www.donegaldiaspora.ie/

Remember to post as much information as you can with regard to the people you are researching. The more information you post, the more likely it is that one of our volunteers will be able to advise or assist you. Also include information concerning which sources you may have already used so others may further your search.

Kind regards,                    

Genealogy Support

 

IrelandXO member

Mr. Maurice is my 5th great, his son Peter E was my 4th, his daughter Anna Agnes my 3rd great grandmother. I’m not much help as I don’t have a lot of information either. However I believe Maurice’s dad’s name was Daniel, I have yet to find the records to verify (love the roadblocks). You should try a Y-Chromosome DNA test if you haven’t yet, every time I turn around they suggest I do so…but I’m female and have no living males tied to that line. Either way, helllooo distant cousin and good luck with your searching. 

NickieOHCelt

Mr. Maurice is my 5th great, his son Peter E was my 4th, his daughter Anna Agnes my 3rd great grandmother. I’m not much help as I don’t have a lot of information either. However I believe Maurice’s dad’s name was Daniel, I have yet to find the records to verify (love the roadblocks). You should try a Y-Chromosome DNA test if you haven’t yet, every time I turn around they suggest I do so…but I’m female and have no living males tied to that line. Either way, helllooo distant cousin and good luck with your searching. 

NickieOHCelt

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