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Fitzgerald-Smyth geneologies (and possible link to tenor John McCormack

GalwayLoughrea (Galway)

Thanks to some help over on the Kerry site or link, I was able to track down some information about my Grandfather (Thomas Fitzgerald b.1881 or 1882 on July 12th in Castlegregory, Maharees, Kerry). He eventually settled in Galway City after marrying Sara Smyth (my paternal Grandmother). She was supposedly a relation of the Irish Tenor, John McCormack, which is also something I would like to explore. She was not from Galway City directly, but some town or village close by.

 

All of their children (including my Dad - Patrick Joseph Fitzgerald. b.October 15.1933) were born in Galway. His birth cert. has the name "Loughrea" on it, as a pertinent place or location.  I am not sure whether or not this was the actual Parish of his birth (and baptism).

I also know that a brother of Tom Fitzgerald's ended up emigrating to the States (Philadelphia) possibly around the time of the War. His name was Martin Fitzgerald. I am trying to find any information on him and/or his offspring who may still be in the US.

He would have also been born in Kerry in the late 1800's.

Hence, my interest is in the Smyth name (and geneology) and the Fitzgeralds from Castlegregory who may have ended up in America (esp. Martin Fitzgerald, my great uncle).

 

Peace, Chris

 

 

 

 

IrelandXO member

7 replies

Hi Martine,

 

This is very helpful. Thank you. I actually did find (on your link) the marriage of Tom Fitzgerald's (my Grandfather's) Mother and Father. I only had his baptismal record up to this point.

 

Peace, Chris (Fitzgerald)

 

IrelandXO member

Glad this helped Chris. have you contact with relatives living in the area?

Martine

IrelandXO member

Hi Martine,

 

I only took a shot and e-mailed a B & B/hotel named "Fitzgerald's" in Castlegregory.. Never heard back.

 

I would definitely like to, though, in the near future.

 

Heh, are you "francophone" (with a name like "Martine")? It is interesting, given the supposed Norman

connection to the Fitzgeralds (aka "Sons of Gerald" or in French "Fils de Gerald").

 

I speak both French and English, which is not unusual if you live in Montreal and Ottawa.

 

Peace, Chris Fitz

IrelandXO member

Dear Chris, can you send me the link which you reckon is a match. This will help me to trace any living relatives in the parish. That could be really exciting!

I was named after the first Black saint in the Roman Catholic calender St. Martin de Porres. He was canonised around the time of my birth and the nuns encouraged new mums to name their babies after him. There were 6 of us in my class at school!

I'm sorry for the delay in replying and I hope you get my message.

Martine

IrelandXO member

Heh Martine,

 

Very cool and interesting connection (to St.Martin de Porres). Can't go very far without bumping into a Church named after him.

 

Here is the link to the marriage of my Grandfather's parents:

 

http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/027f6b0528214

 

and some info on my Grandfather, "himself".. My apologies if the link has gone blank. Sometimes it seems to do this when re-sent or re-opened:

 

From: chrisf125@hotmail.com
To: chrisf125@hotmail.com
Subject: Re. Dad's Dad (Birth/Baptism). Castlegregory, (Maharees), Kerry. July 12, 1880
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2010 16:37:47 -0400

.ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage P {
padding:0px;
}

.ExternalClass body.ecxhmmessage {
font-size:10pt;
font-family:Tahoma;
}
http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/e7e07e1560143

 

Thx again for keeping in touch... Peace, Chris

 

IrelandXO member

Yeah, the birthday record seems to be a blank... As you can see, though, Thomas Fitzgerald (my Dad's Dad) was born and baptised in Maharees, Castlegregory..on July 12, 1880.

 

Cheers, Chris

IrelandXO member

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