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Bridget [McHale] Melvin, b. about 1815-20, Tubbernavine

GalwayAddergoole (Galway)

 Bridget McHALE, is said to have been born under the same roof as the Archbishop of Tuam John MacHale.  This puts birth in the Addergoole Parish of Tubbernavine, Glen Nephin house of P?draig M?r MACKEAL. Various branches of our family oral history have that Bridget was his sister or niece; cousin is also possible.  We know that McHALEs are very numerous in Mayo, but, so far, the many books on Archbishop John MacHALE have not given a connection to a Bridget.   We need to know her McHale parentage to nail this, but her birth era estimate 1805-1820 is before such records were officially kept.  Perhaps there are private papers of the Archbishop's. ?

Marriage Record are found for Bridget McHale m. Patrick Melvin on 12 Feb 1836 in Kilmoremoy Parish, St. Muredack Cathedral, Ballina, Co. Mayo, performed by  Rev. John McHale, Bishop at this time. Both Bridget and Patk. are listed as 'Servants', 'Beleeke', which may have been the nearby new Belleek Castle. 

Of  their 6 children, the only Baptism record found so far is 1852 for Anne MELVIN showing home at Newline, Killala Diocese, Kilmoremoy Parish, Co. Sligo (now Mayo). Her father was Harbourmaster of the Moy about this itime.  Possibly the other children were privatly baptized by uncle priests: John, Patrick, Sarah, James, Mary, Anne.

 Our great-great-grandmother, Bridget [McHALE] MELVIN d. 27 Oct 1890, and is buried in Grangemore Cemetery, Templeboy, Co. Sligo. Her son Rev. John J. MELVIN is buried next to her.   So far, we have identified at least 8 priests among her decendants in Ireland and Washington, USA. 

Any tips as to the McHALE parents of Bridget McHALE MELVIN (ca. 1820-1890) will be followed up, no matter how far out .  Thank you for any suggestions or information, Maureen Melvin

MelvinFueryMcG…

7 replies

I am really interested in knowing about the Melvin name origin. My ggafther, John Melvin, came to England in the 1840's.

 

His Melvin family came from Mayo.( I think from Enniscrone) Does anyone know about the Melvin name? Some say it is of Norman origin?

many thanks

 

 

Dominodownes

I am really interested in knowing about the Melvin name origin. My ggafther, John Melvin, came to England in the 1840's.

 

His Melvin family came from Mayo.( I think from Enniscrone) Does anyone know about the Melvin name? Some say it is of Norman origin?

many thanks

 

 

Dominodownes

There were, and are, a lot of Melvin families in Mayo and Sligo counties.  Our group seems to have come from the Killala Diocese on both sides of the Moy river.   There are a couple of good websites if you google up "Melvin, Ireland".  We believe ours to have migrated from Scotland to Ireland maybe 300-400 yrs. ago.   May have come over with the Norman Conquest as Melvin, Melville shows up in those early records.   Who knows?

Do you know your John Melvin's parents names? Might be on their Death Cetificates.  MMM

MelvinFueryMcG…

Thank you very much indeed. 

Yes, I do know from this newspaper article. I imagine he came to England during the Famine. He had no education, but was obviously hardworking and clever. I know they were all very attached to Enniscrone. 

 

1851: Mr John Melvin, son of Peter and Winifrede Melvin, of Cloon-a-Woola, Co Mayo, Ireland, who has died at Birmingham, was born in Birmingham in 1851. At an early age he became prominent in the business life of the city, and later was associated with numbers of industrial concerns. He was chairman and director of several well-known businesses. He was, throughout his life, a devoted member of the Catholic Church and a generous contributor to charities of all kinds. Probably few men have been better known and respected in the industrial life of Birmingham. His son, Sir Martin Melvin Bt, acquired the Catholic newspaper group and was a Papal Chamberlain in the 1930's

[Source: undated newspaper item]

 

Dominodownes

Peter Melvin & Winifred Cosgrave had 7 children. Peter's father may have connection to Clooyvollow, Kilbelfad, Mayo, where my family apparently had some early connection as well.   I will foreward this topic to a UK friend who knows more about Sir Martin. 

MelvinFueryMcG…

Thank you very much. The UK Melvins kept very close to their Irish roots and only seemed to have married into other Irish families. Martin Melvin, my great uncle never married and was very occupied with the Catholic newspaper industry.

I am really sure that they must have live near to Enniscrone as that was the name of my grandmother's house.

Dominodownes

I received an email from Maureen re Sir Martin Melvin.  My Melvin family came from Ballina originally and I have done quite a lot of research in to the family of Sir Martin Melvin, as my father was always told as a child that he was distantly related to him.  I was in touch with a lady called Jean Ward, wife of Wilfred back in 1995, who I believe is a relative of yours.

 

I would be happy to share what information I have.

IrelandXO member

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