Ireland XO
Back to Message Board

Mulligan

FermanaghEnniskillen (Fermanagh)

Hi

I am from protestant family and my great grandfather Robert Mulligan emigrated to New Zealand around 1865. His father William Mulligan died in Ireland in 1895 and I have seen that in the Irish records. I believe some of the family owned a pub and a farm in the Enniskillen area atleast until the 1960s. I would like to trace our ancestry further back I suspect we were originally from Scotland possibly with the name Milliken as there is a Robert Mulligan in WellingtonNew Zealand and he thinks he may be related to us. His family tree goes back to Millikens in Scotland and Oliver Cromwell.

Can anybody help?

Nick Mulligan

nick@wyoss.com

IrelandXO member

8 replies

Nick,

The only William Mulligan death in Co. Fermanagh in 1895 was registered in Lisnaskea on 7.11.1895 (aged 76). Hopefully that's your ancestor. If you have a look at that death certificate it should give you some information to start searching further. Address (townland), marital status and informant’s details are often a great help. If you obtain that information and post it here, I’ll see what I can find out.

You can view the original certificates on-line on the GRONI website, using the “search registrations” option:

https://geni.nidirect.gov.uk

You will need to open an account and buy some credits. It costs £2 (sterling) to a view a certificate.

I looked at the 1901 census for the county. There were 249 people named Mulligan. 219 were RC and 30 various protestant denominations. None was a publican. You say your ancestors were protestant but do you know which denomination eg Church of Ireland, Methodist, Presbyterian etc.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

I think that will be the one.  My Great Great was 76 when he died.  Married to Rose Ann.  I'm guessing he was Church of Ireland.  The publican would have been a subsequent generation - he was operating a pub in Enniskillen in the late 1960s, 1970s.  Thanks for your help Elwyn

IrelandXO member

I found this probate abstract:

The Will of William Mulligan late of Mullineany County Fermanagh Farmer who died 7 November 1895 was proved at Armagh by John Mulligan of Mullineany Farmer the sole Executor. Effects £253 4s.

The will itself is on-line and names his wife Rose Ann, so it does look to be the right family. The will also names sons John, Thomas, William & Robert as well as a daughter Mary Jane Thompson.

http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/search_the_archives/will_calendars.htm

This looks to be the family in 1901:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Fermanagh/Doon/Mullyrenny/1357708/

and in 1911:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Fermanagh/Doon/Mullyneeny/523616/

Mullyneeny is in the parish of Kinawley. The Church of Ireland records there start in 1761 so you may be able to get back a bit. There’s a copy in PRONI.

Griffiths Valuation for 1862 lists William Mulligan living on plot 1 in Mullyneeny. That was a farm, and just under 11 acres.

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml

That farm today is on the north side of the Derrylin Rd at the junction with the Stragowna Rd.

The revaluation records show a William Mulligan replacing John Mulligan on the farm in 1924.

http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/search_the_archives/val12b.htm

William seems to have died in 1956. His will is not on line but should be in PRONI. Abstract:

Mulligan William Finlay of Fairfield Mullyneeny Derrylin county Fermanagh farmer died 16 October 1956 Probate Belfast 13 December to Robert Willis Mulligan farmer. Effects £665 14s. 8d.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Here is the death certificate although it doesn't tell us anything new.  I have now established that the publican descendant of William operated a pub in the late 1960's was named Stanley Mulligan.  I've had a look at the PRONI records but can't find anything useful although I'm not sure I was looking in the right place..  Williams father could possibly have been John Mulligan of Brague (b1750 d1821) married to a Miss Martin of Ballouley.  If so that would be the connection to a much longer family tree I have

IrelandXO member

The PRONI reords are not on-line. A personal visit there is required to view them.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Thanks again.  Where is the PRONI office where the records for the parish of Kinawley/Mulleeny would be kept and do you know of anyone who might be able to search them for me?

IrelandXO member

Hi Nick,

My name is Matthew Mulligan, Stanley Mulligan (who owned the pub) was my grandfather. Are you by any chance related to the Zew Zealand couple that came to Enniskillen in July 2016 from Christchurch? I met them when I was working in my dad Billy's Currency exchange. They were dissapointed as they were hoping to find us at the pub, which has been closed now for 15 or so years!

My family line descends from William Mulligan (1819-1895) and wife Roseann (1815-1901), to son John Mulligan (1843-1924) and his wife Mary Elizabeth Finlay (1850-1914) to son William Finlay Mulligan (1888-1956) and wife Elizabeth (Lily) Willis (1898-1980) then my grandfather John Stanley Mulligan (1922-1994) and grandmother Susan Elisabeth Vaughan (1922-2003). 

From the above comments I would say that the Robert Mulligan you are related to, and who emigrated to New Zealand, must have been a brother of John.

Do you know what date Robert was born or when and where he died? And could you send the line of ancestors descending from Robert back to you?

IrelandXO member

Reply

Reply
One image file up to 2 MB.