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Hello, 

My name is Genevieve Finn and I'm an American who moved to Dublin for a master's degree last September. I have been investigating my Irish heritage and spent a bit of time with a genealogy advisor last week. I discovered that my ancestor Michael Gibbons, who my grandmother had originally told me was from Ballina, was actually from Turlough Parish, and specifically the Pontoon/Knockaglana area.

Michael married a girl from the area called Bridget Graham. Bridget and Michael then emigrated to San Francisco, California, around 1875-89. Michael and Bridget had seven kids, one of whom was Katherine Gibbons. Katherine married William L. Danahy, and they had a daughter called Barbara Danahy, who would eventually marry someone called Ken Finn and have six kids, including my father, Tom Finn. 

I traced Michael's line all the way back to his parents: they were called John and Anne Gibbons. John died in 1896. John and Anne, who would be five generations removed from me, had at least three other children aside from Michael. Their names were: Matthew Gibbons, Patrick Gibbons, and Anne/Marianne/Anna.

My understanding is that Matthew did not emigrate. He married a woman called Bridget Jordan in Castlebar and had eight children with her, raising them in Knockaglana, in the parish of Turlough. I think two of those children were called Simon Gibbons and Matthew Gibbons (named after his father). They are recorded as having lived in Pontoon. 

Would anyone know of the Gibbons family in this area? Perhaps descendants of Simon or Matthew Gibbons? I would love to meet some living relatives of mine and visit the home/area Michael Gibbons was raised in. 

 

Thank you in advance,
Genevieve

genevieve finn

Monday 4th Apr 2022, 12:56PM

Message Board Replies

  • Genevieve:

    We don't have a volunteer in Turlough parish. There is a Mayo Genealogy Group on Facebook. There is a Dympna Joyce in the group who I believe is from Turlough. In any event, the group is very helpful and I'm sure someone with connections to Turlough will respond to your post. 

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/clansofmayo/members

    Roger McDonenll

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Monday 4th Apr 2022, 02:25PM
  • Thank you Roger!

    genevieve finn

    Monday 4th Apr 2022, 08:40PM

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