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Hi.  I'm trying to identify the biological father of my GG Grandafther, John Duignan b.1818 Cavan.  What I know is as follows:

  1. The 1841 Census records John Duignan (Degnen) living in House 1 Drumcoghill Lower with his mother (Elinor), two younger siblings (James and Mary Ann), and his step-father (James Bigger).  The census further records John as being 23 at the time and his profession was a land surveyor, as was the profession of his step-father. 
  2. The 1841 Census also records that Elinor's first marriage was in 1816 (i.e. which aligns with John's birth in 1818, presumably their first child) and that Elinor is a native of Cavan, however I do not know her maiden name nor the location of her 1816 marriage.
  3. Whilst Elinor and her children were living in Drumcoghill Lower (County Cavan) in 1841, I do not know whether they were living in the area when with her first husband.  I did, however, have a record that John was from Ballyjamesduff (County Cavan), however I have not been able to relocate my original source.
  4. The first born son for the 3 subsequent generations were all named John so, potentially, John's biological father may also have been a John.
  5. You can find a record of my John Duignan ancestor on the Killashandra (Cavan) page.

Any assistance is much appreciated.

Wayne Duignan.

WayneDuignan

Thursday 11th Nov 2021, 10:40PM

Message Board Replies

  • Hello Wayne,

    Would it be possible to send a copy of the census page? Or a link to it? I'm not finding this family in the 1841 census. Thanks.

    Patricia

    Friday 12th Nov 2021, 12:29AM
  • Hi Patricia and thabks for responding to my post.

    I have now attached 3 images related to the 1841 Census for my Duignan (Degnan) ancestors.

    Regards, Wayne.

    WayneDuignan

    Friday 12th Nov 2021, 08:32PM
  • ... "thanks"... :-)

    WayneDuignan

    Friday 12th Nov 2021, 08:35PM
  • I had a look at the actual census pages for 1841 for this family. John Degnan is listed in the category of family members who were not in the household on the night of the census.  Not that this info helps you discover who his father was, but I thought it was of interest.

    Patricia

    Saturday 13th Nov 2021, 01:10PM
  • I once read an excellent book about the area your ancestors came from, which includes many local names but unfortunately no index: REVOLUTION IN TULLYHUNCO by Tomas O'Raghallaigh. You might find it of interest.

    Patricia

    Saturday 13th Nov 2021, 01:19PM
  • Thanks again Patricia, I will certainly take a look for this book.  

    John married a Jane Leahy (Lahy) in 1846 and, whilst researching my Leahy ancestors, I came across the following book that was invaluable to my research - "The Cavan Leahys: Origins", written by David Leahy.

    Regards, Wayne.

    WayneDuignan

    Monday 15th Nov 2021, 04:25AM

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