Hi Heather,
The name Hannan is usually found as 'Hannon' here. You can check for information about the frequency of the name in the mid-19th century and any other variant spellings of the name here: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/
Could you please post your message on the Adare parish page here: http://www.irelandxo.com/group/adare-limerick
Do you know much about their emigration? Dates, the reason why they left, etc.? Generally, more information was given at the port of arrival rather than the port of departure. If you knew which city they arrived at, this could be a good place to find more information, and perhaps even find out an exact place of origin. There are lots of books and documents available about the Irish emigration to NZ. There is a website you could look at: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/irish/2 for information about the Irish in New Zealand.
Civil registration records are available from the General Register Office (GRO). These start from 1864 however. You can access the website here: http://www.groireland.ie/research.htm
You could also try checking the land records called the Tithe Applotment Books (1823-38) or the later Griffith's Valuation (1848-64). Griffith's is freely available here: www.askaboutireland.com or here: www.failteromhat.com Failte Romhat has lots of other useful links you could try looking at. Tithe Applotment Books (1823-38). Microfilm copies of the books for all of Ireland are available at the National Archives of Ireland (NAI) http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/tithe-applotment-books-and-the-primary-griffith-valuation/ or the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS).
There are Roman Catholic church records available for Adare. These date from 1832 for both baptismal and marriage records. You can find these at the National Library of Ireland, Pos. 2420. If you have any difficulty, you could try writing to the parish priest for more assistance.
There are Roman Catholic church records available for Croagh (Kilfinny is part of this area). These date from 1836 for baptismal and from 1844 for marriage records. You can find these at the National Library of Ireland, Pos. 2420. If you have any difficulty, you could try writing to the parish priest for more assistance.
1838-48 Reproductive Loan Fund records. Administered from Limerick city for all areas of the city and county. More than 5,000 names. UK National Archives http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ T 91.
Please make sure you link anyone else in your family who is interested in their Irish heritage to our site - and indeed anyone else you know of Irish heritage.
Kind regards,
Sinead Cooney
Genealogist (Ireland XO)
