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Looking for Cunninghams

GalwayAbbeygormacan (Galway)

i am searching for my Great Great Grandparents. My Great Grandmother, Margaret Cunningham was born between 1850-1855 and left Ireland for the USA. I have census records for her for 1870 that state her husband is John Cunningham. The 1880 census she is widowed and my Grandmother, Mary Emma Cunningham is 11 years old. She supported her only child and herself by taking in boarders and being a laundress. She died in 1916 and on her death certificate her parents names are Lawrence and Mary Cunningham of Galway, Ireland. Does anyone recognize these names?

IrelandXO member

12 replies

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

Can you clarify your message? Was Margaret's maiden name and married name Cunnigham? She likely was born prior to 1850 if she was married and had a child in 1869 Thanks!

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

According to the documents I have Margaret's maiden and married name are the same Cunningham. Married to a John Cunningham. Do not know if she married in Ireland or the USA. No marriage documents found in the U.S. so far.

IrelandXO member

Margaret's daughter, my Grandmother,Mary Emma was born in 1869-70. Documents vary slightly 

IrelandXO member
IrelandXO member

No problem about asking. I must admit that all I know is Galway so I thought I would start at the beginning of the alphabet and maybe get lucky. Any suggestions. I am not sure how to use Griffiths. Is there one for each civil parish? I could start my search that way.  Thanks for the help. 

IrelandXO member

I checked on Roots Ireland in Co. Galway and did not find a baptismal record for a Margaret Cunningham with a father Laurence/Lawrence. Not all parishes for Galway are on Roots and some Galway parishes do not have records back to 1850. The Griffiths for Co. Galway was conducted in 1855/1856. www.askaboutireland.ie has a search process for Griffiths. I saw three possible leads assuming your Lawrence/Laurence was still alive in 1855. There was one Lawrence Cunningham and two Laurence Cunningham records.  Take a look at the records and let me know if you have questions.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you so much for all of your help.  You are an Angel. I will visit Ireland again in September 2016. Maybe I will get to say Hi. If I have questions I will post again

IrelandXO member

I  live in Maryland. Enjoy your trip! Please post again if you have more questions.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

I tried to use askaboutireland to find the 3 Cunninghams that you mentioned in your response. I don't get anything.  What am I dong wrong?

IrelandXO member

Not sure what the problem could be. Go to this link  http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/ enter Cunningham in the Family Name field. Make sure Family Name is deleted and Laurence or Lawrence in the First Name field Make sure First Name is deleted and then check Galway not Galway city

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Roger, I will try again. I have stayed away for a few days. Sometimes getting away for a bit helps clear your mind. Let's see what happens when I try again.

 

IrelandXO member

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