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Mary FOLAN, my 2Xgrandmother, was born in County Galway - trying to find out info about her mother.

GalwayMoyrus (Galway)

My great-great grandmother, Mary FOLAN, was born on 5 December 1844 (the year I’m not exactly sure of, but this is probably close) in Letterard Townland, Moyrus/Carna Parish, Union of Clifden, County Galway. She married Thomas CLOHERTY (also spelled “Claugherty”) in Moyrus/Carna Parish, on 29 Oct 1866. They came to the United States with six of their children (a seventh was born in the USA) on 24 April 1884, aboard the ship Canadian. Eventually they made their way to St. Paul, Minnesota. I believe they were part of the Tuke’s Scheme of Resettlement, which saw quite a few Irish immigrants to my area during the mid-1880s.

Mary Claugherty lived a long life, and died on 1 July 1940 in St. Paul, Ramsey Co. MN. I am trying to find out information about her mother. However, Mary's death certificate lists her mother as “Unknown.” I have no family records that list her mother’s name and there are no living family members that would have known anything about her. I’m not sure how or where I can search for this unknown 3x grandmother in Ireland.  I have taken a DNA test (via Ancestry), but none of my Irish DNA connections have any more information than I do.

Any suggestions or help on where I could start searching for information on this mysterious person would be most appreciated. Thank you in advance!

jjlava

7 replies

JJlava:

The baptismal records for Moyrus/Carna RC parish start in December 1853 and marriage records start in September 1852.  https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/1054 ;  This means that no baptismal record exists for Mary Folan. I saw a transcription of the 1866 marriage record but I could not find a civil marriage record.

You mention Letterard townland. The 1855 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing for Moyrus civil parish shows five Folans living in Letterard-- John, Mary, Patrick Thomas and William. Do you know which of the four males was the father of Mary? 

https://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/galway/moyrus.htm

Depending on the name you provide, we can look for death records and if we get lucky, we may find the correct record with the spouse as the informant. (The fre images from 1871 on.e site www.irishgenealogy.ie has actual death record

Let me know.

Roger McDonnell

 

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Roger, I will look more closely at my records and get back to you in a couple of days re: her father's name. Thank you so much for your fast reply.

 

Jackie

jjlava

Hi Jackie

Attached a copy of Civil Record. Both Thomas Folan and Bridget Cloherty are residing in Duher / Dooyeher at time of marriage. Fathers are Luke Folan and John Cloherty, both farmers alive at time.

Possible family connection is Patrick Cloherty 1835 / Ann (nee Barrett), see 1901 census. http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Galway/Knockboy/Dooyeh…
Regards

Gerard, Parish Liaison Lackagh

Hi Roger: I have Tom Folan listed as the father of Mary Cloherty, 

Gerard: Thank you for the record. "Tom Folan" is listed as my great-great grandmother's father on her death cert. here in the USA, but his birthdate would have been around 1810 or so. I wonder how or if the Tom Folan on this marriage record is related to me?

Jackie 

jjlava

Jackie:

The free site www.irishgenealogy.ie has images of civil death records from 1871-1970 and index records for deaths from 1864-1870.

I searched on the site and I believe I located the death record for Thomas Folan in 1871. See fifth record at this link.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…

The informant was shown as Anne. He was married at the time so Anne could be his wife or possibly a daughter.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Roger: Thank you for that record, it may very well be my ancestor. 

jjlava

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