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Matthew Clary/Cleary

Offaly

Ok, I'm just going to throw this out there and hope someone might have a better suggestion/hint/info/relation? I've been searching for so long I may just have tunnel vision.

Matthew Clary/Cleary has been my brick wall for years. Born 1835-ish in Ireland. Came to US in 1851. Lived in Albany county, New York until death in 1877.

Went by the spelling Cleary is US. Most military records do state "(born Clary)" under his name. His headstone also says "Clary" so I normally search multiple variations of the name . Naturalization record says he is from Co Kings Ireland. ( but that might possibly mean where he lived previously and not necessarily his birthplace?) Also, he was Catholic.

I just can't seem to figure out who his parents are. I have a few births from parish registers narrowed down from surrounding areas or at least from the right time frame. Problem is, I just can't seem to narrow it down enough for "genealogical proof." He must not have been a fan of leaving breadcrumbs behind.

These are some of the closest ones I've narrowed down according to location and year of birth. I do have a few others not listed.

Mathew Clary
31 Mar 1832
Taghmon, Westmeath
Father: James Clary
Mother: Mary Cormick

Matt Cleary
24 June 1834
Johnstown, Kilkenny
Father: John Cleary
Mother: Judy Tool

Matthew Cleary
3 Apr 1834
Milltown Malbay, Clare
Father: Michl Cleary
Mother: Winifred Talty (?)

Matthew Cleary
5 Aug 1835
Monsea, Tipperary
Father: Andrew Cleary
Mother: Margaret
Sp: Honor Darmundy (?)

Mathew Cleary
4 Mar 1836
Moyne, Tipperary
Father: David Cleary
Mother: Mary Tierney

Mathew Cleary (illegitimate)
Kildysart, Clare
Parents listed Tom & Peg Donohue
Sp: Sally Haurshaw (?)

I tested my fathers DNA on ancestry. So far I haven't been able to narrow down enough info even from that. Thinking of doing his y-DNA test. Maybe that would help more? I've uploaded his results to gedmatch. His kit number is A852109.

Thanks for checking out my long post. I appreciate any help anyone has to offer!

Caitlincleary@…

4 replies

Caitlin:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

You are taking all the right steps. The Y-DNA may help. I took the test in 2013 and my matches have helped pinpoint the area in Mayo where my McDonnell ancestors came from in the late 1700s. Wait for Family Tree DNA to have a sale maybe Father's Day. What was the name of Matthew's oldest son? That might give you a lead. The other issue is that not all parishes have records back to the 1830s so a record may not be available.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Roger,

Thank you so much for your quick response. Y-DNA it is then! Good thinking about waiting for Father's Day.

You're exactly right regarding the availability of parish records. Honestly, I get so focused on trying to figure this puzzle out, all logic goes out the window sometimes! Maybe my next step is going to be figuring out what IS available for that time frame and make a chart to compare what is not available.

I have kept in mind the tradition naming patterns while searching so that is an excellent suggestion! Matthew's first born son was named William. However, as luck would have it, Not one of the records I have as possibilities have a William listed as the father. With that being said, in the 1900 US census, Matthew's wife Margaret is still living and there is a question on it asking "Mother of how many children" and the column next to it asks "How many children are still living" her answers were 11 and 8. I've only collected documents on 8 children so I am only assuming 3 children died as infants. Ive kept in mind the possibility one of which could have been named after Matthew's father first if it was a boy.

Just to add a little icing on the cake and confuse my brain a little more, In various census records his name as been listed as "Patk" and "Michael" too. Oh well, that's part of the fun right?

Since this is my first time posting on Ireland Reaching Out , should I cross post? Possibly in a surname message board?

Once again, I appreciate the quick response and tips!

Caitlin

Caitlincleary@…

Caitlin:

No need to cross-post. All message end up on the main message board anyway. Also, since you have Clary/Cleary in the subject line, other posters who search for all prior Clary or Cleary messages will get your message to review.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi, I'm on Ancestry.com and my adoptive father is the great-great Grandson of the Mathew Cleary you mention.  Sounds like I'm at the same brick wall you were when you posted; I'm showing James Clary and Mary Cormick were our mutual Mathew Cleary's parents.  If you have additional info - would love to know your sources!

Michele Moore 1

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