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I know this is a long shot since I don't have a town but I am looking for any information about my GGGrandfather James McDonnell.  His gravestone says he was born in County Mayo August 21, 1836.  His naturalization papers say he arrived in New York in May 1858 but I have not been able to find the ship manifest.   He moved to Newport Rhode Island and in 1865 married Margaret Clark from Kinnegad, Westmeath and raised a large family.  His marriage certificate says his father's name was John and his mother's name was Mary.  I don't have any other information about where he came from.  My great grandfather was James's firstborn.

 

I have searched Ancestry.com and familysearch.org and numerous smaller sites but so far nothing that I can connect to my James McDonnell.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Donald Keyes

Norwood, Massachusetts, USA

 

James McDonnell

James McDonnell

James McDonnell

 

Don K

Monday 14th Apr 2014, 11:25PM

Message Board Replies

  • Donald:

    I checked Roots Ireland www.rootsireland.ie  for a possible baptismal record. There was a James born in 1836 whose father was John but when I added Mary as his mother, the record went away which means the mothers name was different and likely this was a baptismal record for a different James. Many of the parishes in Mayo do not have records going back to 1836.

    I also checked the 1856 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing for Co. Mayo. There were 43 John McDonnells in many parishes across Mayo. My great-great grandfather was one of the 43. He lived in Kilbeagh parish in East Mayo.

    Did you look for an obituary from 1893? Did James have any siblings who emigrated? At this point, you will need to find a clue in the States to find out where in Mayo, James came from. Feel free to ask questions.

    Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Tuesday 15th Apr 2014, 12:14AM

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