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Flynn Family of Abbeyfeale

LimerickAbbeyfeale (Limerick)

Hello. I was very excited to discover this site, as I am at a genealogical brick wall in my family history research and have been so for a while now. However, I think I may have discovered a clue which I need help exploring... But first, the basics: My Great, Great Grandparents were James J Flynn and Margaret Culhane. Both were born in Ireland (unsure of the locations) came to the USA seperately,met andmarried in the USA (Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; 31 Dec, 1878).

I know virtually nothing about James J Flynn's life in Ireland,except what I have gathered from various US census andmarriage records. Here is what I have found:

BIRTH: Census estimates show various possible birth years, 1856, 1857, or 1859. I am inclined to believe the 1900 US federal census which specifies "May 1857"

ARRIVAL IN USA: Again, different dates found on census records including: 1874, or1881 (which I know is incorrect based on marriage and birth of first child).

So far I have not been able to find an immigration record or a naturalization record for him, although the last three US census records he appears on (1900, 1910, and 1920) state that he was naturalized at some point. The 1920 census has a very difficult to read date, either 1889 or 1884.

The clue I mentionedis in the 1920 census, which shows a 28 year old man born in Irelandnamed James Flynn, living with James J and Margaret, andidentified as a nephew. What I assume by this, is that James J Flynn had a brother whose son came to the USA and was living in their household in 1920 when the census was taken. According to this census, James Flynn (the nephew) is single, born about 1892, immigrated about 1912, naturalized about 1918 or 1919 (writing is hard to read). He is working as a rail road clerk. After a lot of research on this James Flynn, here is what I have found:

According to his naturalization record, his full name appears to be James John Flynn, born 24 Sep 1891, arrived 13 Oct 1911, and was naturalized 16 Sept 1919, witnessed by my great great grandfather James J. Flynn. The arrival date led me to the passenger list of the ship Balticwhich departed Queenstown, Ireland and Arrived in New York, New York on the date mentioned above.

On the passenger list are James J Flynn, age 19 (our James John Flynn the nephew); and a James S Flynn, age 29. "The name and complete address of nearest relative or friend in country whence alien came" for James J Flynn, age 19 states "Father John JFlynn, Banard, Abbeyfeale, C. Limerick". For James S. Flynn, it states " Father Maurice Flynn, Abberyfeale, C. Limerick". Both men are heading to Chicago Illinois as their final destination. The relationship between the two of them is not specified.

What I am really curious about is how all these people are related, and ultimately I am trying to uncover as much information as possible about my great great grandfather James J Flynn and his family in Ireland... was he from Abbeyfeale too? Did any of his brothers come to the USA? Who were his parents? So many questions! I soooo look forward to hearing from someone, and would appreciate ANY information that could help.

Sincerely,

Ashley

aecooper

10 replies

Ashley:

Based on what I see your great-great grandfather James was the younger brother of Maurice and John J.  

The only townland in Ireland called Banard is in Co. Kerry. I think I located the two James' (29) and (19) from the ship record living in Dromtrasna Collins townland in Abbeyfeale civil parish. Immigrants usually showed the nearest "big" town as their home location rather than their townland. The 1901 and 1911 census records for both families are below. 

Abbeyfeale is in the Newcastle registration district. I think I located the marriage index records for both John J and Maurice. They both married a Mary. In John J's case, he either married Mary O'Connor or Mary O'Brien. You can get copies of these records from the General Register Office for around 4 euros each.If you plan to get copies let me know and I will forward instructions.

Let me know if you have questions.

Roger McDonnell

 

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Limerick/Dromtrasna/Dr…

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Limerick/Dromtrasna/Dr…

 

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Limerick/Dromtrasna/Dr…

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Limerick/Dromtrasna/Dr…

 
First name(s) John
Last name Flynn
Registration District Newcastle
Registration year 1889
Registered Quarter/Year Jan - Mar 1889
Volume 5
Page 475
County -
 

MarriageFinder?

 John Flynn married one of these people
Mary O'Connor, Margaret Murphy, Mary O'Brien

 

First name(s) Maurice
Last name Flynn
Registration District Newcastle
Registration year 1867
Registered Quarter/Year 1867
Volume 5
Page 708
County -
 

MarriageFinder?

 Maurice Flynn married one of these people
Catherine Roche, Catherine Linehan, Mary Mackesy, Margaret Killehan
Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Roger

Hope things are good with you.

I enjoyed a few Guinnesses for you during my trip and sampled lots of irish sausages.

The family wedding in Slane was a great occasion.

I visited the office in Loughrea but it was closed!

Best regards

Col

 

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Col:

Good to hear from you and it is nice to see you are back on the message board. Glad you had a great trip and got to have a few ( or more) Guinnesses. My wife and I are going back to Ireland in mid-September for two weeks. Killarney, Doolin, Galway/Mayo and Donegal. 

As you probably know, the Loughrea office is closing and Clare Doyle and others are working from home.

Roger

 

 

 

 

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Ashley:

You may want to look at the online Irish phonebook. I searched for Flynn in Abbeyfeale and two residences and two businesses came up. You may want to contact them to see if there is any connection.

FYI. Dromtrasna Collins is 3 kilometers southeast of Abbeyfeale.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi all

To remove any uncertainty or confusion the reference of "Father John J Flynn, Banard, Abbeyfeale, C. Limerick" is a correct address.

Banard is the name given to an area within the offical townlands of Dromtrasna, whether it be Dromtrasna Collins or Dromtrasna Harnett. As someone else has mentioned the area is 3km east of Abbeyfeale, along the N21.

As mentioned Flynn surname still very much present in Abbeyfeale, with businesses locally and individuals.

5 of  6 Abbeyfeale graveyards are on www.historicgraves.com website

The Cistercian Graveyard has 7 Flynn headstones

http://historicgraves.com/familysearch_map?term=&name=&surname=Flynn&inscription=&stonecutter=&year_b%5Bmin%5D=&year_b%5Bmax%5D=&year_d%5Bmin%5D=&year_d%5Bmax%5D=&age%5Bmin%5D=&age%5Bmax%5D=&people_num%5Bmin%5D=&people_num%5Bmax%5D=&graveyard_ref=50651

while St. Mary's Cemetery has the following

http://historicgraves.com/familysearch_map?term=&name=&surname=Flynn&inscription=&stonecutter=&year_b%5Bmin%5D=&year_b%5Bmax%5D=&year_d%5Bmin%5D=&year_d%5Bmax%5D=&age%5Bmin%5D=&age%5Bmax%5D=&people_num%5Bmin%5D=&people_num%5Bmax%5D=&graveyard_ref=50650

Good luck with your search and hope with the information you receive you can place your family tree together.

 

IrelandXO member

Thank you everyone for all the help!!!  

Roger, if I were to order these marriage records, is it possible they would have the names of the parents of Maurice and John?

 

Thanks,

Ashley

aecooper

 

Ashley:

The records will show the names of the fathers of the bride and groom.

Roger

 

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer
James Flynn of Chicago married Mary Moore of County Mayo. He fought in World War I, and worked for the railroad is entire adult life. They had 5 Children, Peggy, Dorothy, Joan, James and a second Joan because the first had died. I am the oldest Grandson of seven, son of Joan Flynn (Cantorna). John Flynn of Abbeyfeale (our great grandfather) had 2 wife's and families with both. There is an entire family tree available and I can get it if you want me to find it. James J. Flynn is my grandfather, from Banard, Abbeyfeale, the one who worked at the railroad in Chicago. Bernard Flynn Cantorna
bcantorna

Hello Bernie,

Yes, I'd be curious as to who is the ancestor of your James J Flynn, the one who worked the railroad in Chicago.  I think your James J Flynn and my James J Flynn share a common ancestor. It would appear that way since they are living in the same household at one time, and there seems to be a nephew/uncle relationship there?  Maybe your great grandfather John Flynn and my James J Flynn were brothers?

Ashley

aecooper

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