McGrane of Knocklong Parish
I am searching for information about my ancestor, Michael McGrane born 1795, a native of Knocklong Parish according to the obit in the Limerick Times when he died in 1874 in Detroit, MI.
Previous searches found a baptism in Knocklong for a son, Thomas McGrane in 1825 and a 2nd son, also Thomas in 1835, with parents listed as Michael McGrane and Catherine Mara. These parents are identical to a 1857 marriage for their daughter, Mary McGrane, in Detroit...my grandmother so I know this is the same family but that's about all I can find.
Michael McGrane and Catherine Mara had at least 4 more children in addition to the two Thomas' and Mary as follows: Ellen in 1828, Daniel in 1832, Margaret in 1843, and Catherine in 1846.
Michael and the above children all immigrated to Detroit, MI in or about 1849 but I do not find records for his wife, Catherine Mara. Could she have died in Knocklong before Michael left?
I found an inscription in the Castle Jane cemetery for a Mrs. "Mother" McGrane on the stone of a John O'Brien who died in 1896, age 29 years. It is possible that she was a Catherine McGrane married to William O'Brien and later lived in Glenbrohane. She is in the 1901 census with her son and family but I think she died in 1906. She could be an early child of Michael and Catherine McGrane born about 1822-1824.
I would like to find the parents/siblings of Michael McGrane and or Catherine Mara, if possible.
After many, many years of searching I feel I'm getting close to finding my familybut I can not seem to be able to make any progress from here...the brick wall. I would appreciate any help/suggestions you could offer.
Thank You,
Mary MacDonald