Ancestors in Knockroe and Gortakeeran
I am seeking information related to ancestors that lived in Knockroe and Gortakeeran.
My great-grandparents wereJohn Galvin (b. 1866) and Delia (Bridget) Hurley (b. 1873). They immigrated separatelyto the United States in the 1890s, married in Manhattan in 1905 and settled in Bridgeport, CT where John worked as an iron moulder andmy grandfather Thomas and his two brothers were born.
Through vital records and census information, I have found the following family information:
John's parents were John and Anne Hurley Galvin. The civil registration records for John and siblings are Bullaun, while I believe that the 1901 and 1911 Censuses for the family list them as living in Gortakeeran. He had two sisters that also immigrated to the U.S. in the late 19th century--Honora (Nora), who married John Dempsey in Loughrea and then lived in Boston, and Margaret who married John Niles in the U.S. and lived in Vermont. They all lived in Boston at one time. One census record shows a brother, Patrick Galvin living with Margaret and John in Vermont. My mother recalls visiting her Dempsey cousins in Roslindale, MAduring the 1940s and 50s. The names of my great-grandfather John's remaining siblings in Ireland are likely Michael and Mary. It appears from the 1901 census that they lived in Gortakeeran, Raford and lived next door to a relative, Patrick Galvin and his wife Hanoria (Nora).I believe I have located the grave of John and Anne Galvin in the Killimordaly cemetery listing here: http://gccapps.galwaycoco.ie/graveyards/Grave/Default.aspx?id=15&gid=79;
Delia's parents were Thomas and Catherine (Kate) Mahon Hurley. Records sometimes show the surname as Hurly. Delia was baptized in Athenry but the 1901 and 1911 Censuses show the family living in Knockroe. Delia had two brothers that immigrated to the Boston area. One was named Michael J. Hurley and we believe the other brother was named Peter. They may have had an uncle named Peter as well, living in Waltham, MA. According to the Irish censuses of 1901 and 1911, Delia's siblings were Thomas, Patrick, Annie, William and Mary/Maria.
I don't know much of anything about the Dempseys but I believe they were from the area.
Although John and Delia met and married in the U.S. I suspect the families were acquainted in Ireland. I wonder if they were in fact related, since John's mother's maiden name was Hurley. Some of the surnames listed as marriage witnesses or baptismal sponsors include Lawless, Burke, and Mahon.
I would greatly appreciate any information you may have about these families! Thank you.