Anna Mary, Susan Forde, daughters of Edward Forde and Margaret Kelly

Amy:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

What was the religious denomination of the family? The baptismal records for Castlebar RC parish start in 1838 and when I searched Roots Ireland, I could not find Susan's baptismal record and Anna Mary was too early.

Hopefully someone will see your message and recognize a connection.

Have you considered autosomal DNA testing?

Roger McDonnell

Hi Roger,

Thanks so much for replying!  I can't be certain as to their religious background.  There are family stories about their having lived in Castlebar, being orphaned while young, but also having spent time (who knows how much?) in Belfast, as well.  So although Mayo is predominantly Roman Catholic, it's entirely possible they were raised as Protestants.  

Further, Anna and my great-grandfather William Patterson raised their children in the Presbyterian faith.  This would seem to add to the evidence that she was either raised as a Protestant, or her exposure to Catholicism in her youth was limited.

I have had autosomal testing done, and the results are posted on AncestryDNA, GedMatch, and FamilyTreeDNA.

Thank you again, and any additional suggestions or thoughts would be most welcome!

Cheers,

Amy

Hi Amy:

I've tested with both Ancestry and Family Tree plus added my data to Gedmatch. I have been able to break down a couple brick walls and hopefully you will have some success also.

Roger

Since the time of my original posting on Anna and Susan Forde, I have joined with a group of people whose genetic matches all lead back to one of two, possibly three Forde "lines" in Castlebar in the early 1800's.  The furthest back I can document on my line is Edward Forde, father of the above-named Anna and Susan, married to Margaret Kelly.  I estimate that Edward and Margaret were born ca. 1805-1810.  I've been unable to trace them other than their names, as recorded by their grandson on Susan Forde Alcorn's death certificate in 1918 in Connecticut (USA).

Several in my group of genetic matches descend from yet another Forde ancestor, also from Castlebar in that period.  Thomas P. Forde (1813-1863) married Catherine Julia Dunne (1820-1894).  Their daughter Julia Forde married Thomas Mongey.  Another daughter, Barbara Forde married Joseph Francis Staunton.

An additional Forde ancestor accounts for at least two other members of my genetic cousin group:  Thomas Forde and Elizabeth Lunney (both born ca. 1798).  Their daughter Eliza Forde married James Edward Cannon; another daughter Ellen Forde married David Maloney/Mullowney.

This group of "genetic cousins" I mention all have mutual matches on one of two chromosomal locations in our DNA (so far!).  I'm hoping that this information resonates with someone out there who has additional information on these Forde ancestors.  We theorize that all three (Thomas P.; Thomas; and Edward) may have been first cousins, or that Edward may have been a sibling to one of the Thomases.  Any information or suggestions as to next steps would be gratefully received!

Amy Patterson O'Keefe