Share This:

Hi, I have been informed my Gt Grandfather was born in Aghagower late 19th Century.  His name was Austin O'Heraghty the surname was changed to Harrity when the family relocated to Glasgow Scotland.

Some other branches of the family settled in Philadelphia USA.

I wondered if anybody had any information on the family and indeed the name change story.

 

 

Sunday 31st Mar 2013, 05:08PM

Message Board Replies

  • Do you have an approximate date of birth and parents names?

    I found a 9 year old Austin Heraty in Dooncastle town land Aghagower parish.

    Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Sunday 31st Mar 2013, 06:12PM

  • I found this record of an Austin Hegarthy

    Name: Austin Heraghty
    Gender: Male
    Birth Date: 30 Jan 1872
    Birth Place: Islandeady, Mayo, Ireland
    Baptism Place: Islandeady, Mayo, Ireland
    Father's Name: Michael Heraghty
    Mother's name: Mary Sweeny

     

    And another one with the name spelt Heraty

    Name: Austin Heraty
    Gender: Male
    Birth Date: 4 Aug 1871
    Birth Place: Westport, Mayo, Ireland
    Baptism Place: Westport, Mayo, Ireland
    Father's Name: Austin Heraty
    Mother's name: Catherine Hestin
    FHL Film Number: 255830

     

    (O means "Son of" or "from", and this was used with the Irish version)

     

     

    The only Austin Heraghty I see arriving in Pa, is in 1868 but that might be too early.

    Name:  Austin Heraghty
    Arrival: 

    1868 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

     

    There is an Austin Heraty aged 22 who arrives in NY in 1902. from Westport but going to his sister in Chicago.

     

    This is a site which has the Aughagower Cemetery records, I looked for "Heraty" as it is a common name in that area

    http://www.irishgraveyards.ie/search.php?yardid=119&lastname=heraty&fir…

     

    NOTE: GRAVE NO 47 has an Austin with wife Mary in the old Cemetery beside the Round Tower in Aughagower.

     

     

    These are the Austin Heraty's in the 1901 Census.....

    http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/results.jsp?census_year=19…

     

    All of those Austin's (4) are in the Westport area, so you can see why it might be hard to identify the correct one.

     

    Re: Name Changes, this seems to be a common occurance with emigration records, where some of the names are transcribed phonetically at the port of arrival, eg Herrity does sound like Heraty.  Also if a Mayo man is speaking with an Irish Brogue it may sound like there are "h's" in it.  Some people dispute this fact but I have come across it very often when searching for emigrants from Ireland.

     

     

    As Roger says above if we had dates we might find the right Austin. 

     

    If you need to ask any other questions about the area, please feel free to follow up

     

     

    Monday 1st Apr 2013, 12:05PM

  • Thank you for the replies, I'll check out the links therein. Much appreciated.

    Austin Heraghty was born in Aghagower, Co.Mayo around 1845.  Circa 1886 an altercation occurred with his English Landlord which led the family to seek immediate emigration, I believe his brothers were Patrick, Michael, Rory and Thomas.  

    Some of the brothers headed to America as stated and some to Scotland.  It was believed the name change was to do with not being recognised by the authorities, so the story goes!

    Monday 1st Apr 2013, 12:49PM

  • My wife's (Pam Harrity) grandfather is Austin Heraty/ Harrity.  i have his birth as 22 Sep 1899/ Aghagower parish. Ellis Island date of arrival, July 5, 1910 on the Caronia. Settled in Chicago.  I have more information

    mjlongeway

    Friday 1st Jan 2016, 03:23PM

  • Hi mjlongeway, I would be interested in learning the further information you have, thanks.

     

    Wednesday 13th Jan 2016, 10:40AM

Post Reply

Login