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Gaffney and Martin in Banagher Co. Leitrim

LeitrimDrumlease (Leitrim)

Through DNA connections I believe that my 3x gr grandparents Bernard Gaffney and Mary Martin may have lived in Banagher, County Leitrim. In the 1847 Griffiths Valiuation Bernard Gaffney and William Martinare neighbors. There are multiple Gaffneys and Martins shown in what seems to be a small town. Bernard and Marys daughter Bridget (my 2x gg) was born around 1838 and emigrated to Boston around 1850. I am planning my first trip to Irelandnext year and am curious if any records might exist for these families? Is there a nearby RC church that would have been there at that time? Is there a nearby cemetery where family may be buried? Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance! -Shannon

smgaffneydna@g…

3 replies

Hi Shannon,

I searched www.rootsireland.ie/ for Bridget's birth/baptism (1838 + - 10 years in any county) & her parents' marriage but had no luck I'm afraid. 

I then searched Gaffney burial records in Banagher but every one (of the 10) has the name of the graveyard blank!!

I then tried to find the parents' births & got these:

Name:Bernard GafnyDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:13-May-1810Address:Not RecordedParish/District:COLLINSTOWNGender:MaleCountyCo. Westmeath
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:William GafnyMother:Mary MackenOccupation:Not Recorded
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:James GafnySponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Bridget Gafny

Name:Mary MartinDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:24-Feb-1812Address:Not RecordedParish/District:COLLINSTOWNGender:FemaleCountyCo. Westmeath
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Thomas MartinMother:Elen McLoughlinOccupation:Not Recorded
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:William MartinSponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Mary Smyth

Name:Mary MartinDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:08-Aug-1813Address:Not RecordedParish/District:COLLINSTOWNGender:FemaleCountyCo. Westmeath
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Garrett MartinMother:Rose SheridanOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Thomas ReillySponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Mary Flanagan

So IF they grew up in the same area ...? Were they R C? Were any of their children named Garrett, Rose, Thomas, Ellen, William or Mary?

Westmeath is fairly close to Leitrim so perhaps?

Col

 

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Col,

Thank you so much for your response! These birth records are a very interesting possibility. On Ancestry.com the birth record for Bernard Gaffney shows mother's maiden name as Mackew. I have several Gaffney side matches with McHugh and McCue in their trees, as well as McLoughlin and McLaughlin as shown in one of the Mary Martin birth records. I don't know how common all the names are, but they've stood out to me and I've been trying to figure out how/if I belong to them. 

I don't know if Bernard and Mary had any other children, but their daughter (my gg grandmother) is named Bridget Ellen. Bridget's children, in order of birth are (names common to the records are bolded):

Francis Edmund
John Joseph
Thomas
William Martin
Mary
Robert Emmett Lee

I never would have thought to look in another county. Thank you for opening up this possiblity!

One more question if you know...we were told that Bridget and her husband both came from Sligo. It looks like Bridget may have lived in Banagher, County Leitrim, just a few years before immigrating. Could Banagher ever have been considered part of County Sligo?

Shannon

smgaffneydna@g…

Hi Shannon,

There is a Carrickbanagher in Sligo....?

Col

 

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

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