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According to family sources in Ireland, my ancestor William Maher was from Barnaboy in the civil parish of Kyle and county of Laios.

My William was born around 1855-1862, emigrated to the US around 1884, married Margaret Cosgrove in New York in 1892 and died in New Jersey in 1907.

One Maher family in Barnaboy at the time of William's birth was that of William Maher (b. c. 1810) and wife Anne Tracy (c. b. 1815), whom he married in 1841 in Bourney. The house where the family lived is still standing. (See photo.) I believe I am descended from this family.

William and Anne had Mary (likely, married Michael Creary), Ellen (b. c. 1846, married Edward Stanley), Michael (b. c. 1849, married Mary Kirwan), Bridget (bapt 1849, married Kyran Maher), Anne (b. c. 1851, married John Hogan), William (bapt. 1855, possibly mine) and Cornelius (bapt. 1858). They may also have had sons named Martin and Joseph. After William (Sr.) died in 1872, occupancy of the house in Barnaboy passed to his widow, Anne, and then to their son, Michael, when Anne died in 1883.

There were other Maher families in Barnaboy around the same time. An Edward Maher (b. c. 1825) married Margaret Delany. They later moved to Roscrea and then Liverpool. A Michael Maher (b. c. 1820?) married Mary Hogan. I believe Edward and Michael were brothers of William (Sr.).

I am trying to confirm that I am connected to this family and make contact with other relatives. My family has given a DNA sample, so potential relatives can be confirmed that way. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Thank you!

garymaher

Wednesday 5th Oct 2016, 03:18PM

Message Board Replies

  • Gary:

    Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

    I will contact our parish liaison in Roscrea to see if he can be of assistance.

    Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Wednesday 5th Oct 2016, 04:13PM
  • Thanks! I've been through the church records and some of the civil. Common name thereabouts, of course!

    garymaher

    Thursday 6th Oct 2016, 05:23AM
  • Hi My grandfather was Joseph Francis Maher who emigrated to South Africa after his brother William did. His father was Michael Maher married to Mary Kirwan. William went to South Africa first and then returned to Ireland going back with Joseph. William died in Kroonstad South Africa he was married to 'Aunt Nellie' an afrikaans lady. Joseph lived in Potchefstroom and married Irene Le Roux . He died in Pietermaritburg in 1977.

    Your William Maher would be my grandfather Joseph's  uncle! Im doing a tree on ancestry.co.uk

     

    Monday 2nd Oct 2017, 06:15PM
  • Joseph Maher took his family back to Ireland in 1953. His three daughters stayed with his sister Bride Fitpatrick on their farm Lackey while his two sons stayed at Barnabee with his brother Mick and wife aunt Norah. The farm was being run by Joe Fitzpatrick as Mick was incapacitated. Joseph maher built most of the barns on the farm. He was a member of the IRA and an Irish nationalist. His cousin Anne Maher married Bill Lowry? Their descendents live in Roscrea . We are unsure who her parents are.

     

    Monday 2nd Oct 2017, 06:26PM
  • Joseph said their were relatives in New York!

     

    Monday 2nd Oct 2017, 06:31PM
  • Ah, this is wonderful information! Thanks so much!!

    Please email me at garymaher@juno.com so we can compare notes!

    garymaher

    Monday 2nd Oct 2017, 11:48PM

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