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McCaffrey Mysteries in Mayo

MayoCrossmolina (Mayo)

This is my very first post on this website so not sure if I'm posting in the right place or not. But here goes: My great-great grandfather was John Joseph McCaffrey, born 1821 in County Mayo. He married Catherine (Hegarty or McDonald), who was born in 1824, Ireland. Both are buried in Minnesota, USA, and since I have seen their tombstones, I am confident about these birth years. They had at least 5 children, two of which were born in County Mayo, Ireland. First son, John, was born June 26, 1845 (and died in Winona County, Minnesota, July 4, 1873). Daughter Anna E, was born May 1, 1849, in Crossmolina, according to one report. (She also died in Winona County, Minnesota May 6, 1901.)Another source indicates they immigrated in 1852, but not sure if they all came together. Is it possible to find out where they actually lived in the Crossmolina area? Is there a place that has a birth certificate for either Anna or John? Can I find out where they may have worshipped? How about the specific birth places of parents John or Catherine? Learning more about these ancestors would mean so very much to me! Thanks for any insight others can provide!!

IrelandXO member

6 replies

Debra:

I searched the Roots Ireland indexes in Co. Mayo and did not find a baptismal record for John or Anna. I was not optimistic about John because if they were from Crossmolina there was a record gap between 1840 and 1846 where records apparently don't exist. Records in Crossmolina start in 1831 which would make it difficult to find any info on the parents if they were from that parish.

I did not find any McCaffreys in the Tithe listings and the 1856 Griffiths for all of Mayo does not show any McCaffreys ( I know your family left earlier but I was looking to see where the surname was found.

According to this Irish Times site the name McCaffrey was almost exclusively found in Ulster province so I'm wondering if your family's surname was different in Ireland i.e. a variation on the spelling.

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/

There were a few Cafferkys in Crossmolina in the 1856 Griffiths. 

http://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/mayo/crossmolina.htm

One last informational item. Later this summer the National Library of Ireland plans to place all RC parish registers online for free searching. I would review the Crossmolina records at that time.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Dear Roger,

Many, many thanks for your prompt response! While I was hoping to find a buried treasure, so to speak, with a birth/baptismal/marriage certificate (or such), I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn. It is my experience that we Americans with Irish ancestry are so incredibly proud to be connected to such fine people; every bit of new information is gratifying.  Again, a sincere thanks to you for your time and interest!

I am certain my McCaffreys were from County Mayo. The John McCaffrey (born June 26, 1845) I mentioned previously has a rather striking tombstone in my home state of Minnesota.  The spelling of his name is perfectly discernible, along with his birthdate.  Plus it reads "Born in the Co. Mayo."  It just seems to me such a proud, prominant proclamation that I can't believe he lived there only briefly. (Currently, I am away from my home, without much of my genealogy papers so I can't recall where I got the Crossmolina connection.  Sorry. Is there another way to check for this family only using County Mayo and not Crossmolina? Perhaps I am wrong on the town. Sigh.)

Also, I did check The Irish Times link you provided and there were a number of "Caffreys" in County Mayo.  Could this be the same family? In other words, did the children add "Mc" to indicate "sons/daughters of Caffreys?   

Considering the time period (the Great Famine), is it possible they existed in Co. Mayo as essentially paupers and no one kept records on them? Is the Tithe record you mentioned connected to the Catholic Church? I know my McCaffreys were members of the Catholic Church in America (buried in Catholic only cemeteries). Most also became farmers, not people of substantial means, but could make a living. 

I will keep reading. If you have any further insight, it is WELCOME! (I am lucky enough to be able to travel to Ireland in June with my husand and two adult sons. We plan to travel to Crossmolina and walk the land where my ancestors once walked.)

 Many, many thanks, kind Sir, for your help!

Debra

IrelandXO member

Debra:

Yes, the name could have been Caffrey in Ireland in the 19th century. The British suppressed the Mc and O during that period so it it possible that John added the Mc back when he came to the States.

The Tithe was a tax that all land lease holders had to pay to the local Church of Ireland minister. it was not a popular tax as you can imagine. Yes, if the McCaffreys were laborers or farmed a very small plot of land that they sublet, they would not show up on the Griffiths or Tithes.

You posted in the Crossmolina parish page but all posting go onto our main board for all of Ireland so that the volunteers who respond to the messages can see the messages and assist. We do not have parish liaisons in every parish in Ireland and in fact, Crossmolina does not have a liaison.

Have a great time in Ireland in June. We were last there in September. I live in the States also. My McDonnells came from East Mayo.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hello Roger,

Once again, you have helped me learn a wee bit more. Every morsel is greatly appreciated! And how very kind to volunteer your services to those of us eager to know more about our Irish ancestors!!

I am also looking for a Gordon family from Co. Westmeath. Should I post that information on the Westmeath page or is it okay to continue with this series of posts? 

Finally, based on your experience(s) in visiting Ireland, especially as a person keen to know more about the past, are there recommended go-to places in which you have had the best luck for learning more (e.g., libraries, city halls, churches, pubs, museums)? 

Warmly, Debra

IrelandXO member

In my post entitled "Digging for Fays & Gordons"  (posted on a Westmeath page), I received much helpful information! Thank you Col! 

One particular person I am hoping to get more info on is Terrance Gordon. He was born March 9, 1786 (in Athlone area) and died Nov. 2, 1848 in Ireland. He was found in the Tithe Applotments in 1827-9 for Faughalstown, Westmeath, but was not there in the 1841 Irish Census.

Some time back, I found a note which indicated he was buried in Co. Mayo. While I am confident of his birth and death dates, I do not know where he lived the latter years of his life or where he may have been buried. (After his death, his widow, Catherine Fay, and children came to America. In fact, her Minnesota tombstone contains the words, "wife of Terrance." Some documents also referred to him as Terry.) 

With so little info, is there still any way his place of death could be determined? Or a death certificate could be found?

As always, many thanks wonderful volunteers!!!!

IrelandXO member

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