Looking for any information on Finnegan/Finigan/Finnigan connection between Limerick relatives. My paternal grandfather said that our family came from the Limerick area. Circa late 1700's, Patrick and Emily Finnigan had two sons, Michael and John who went by ship to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Michael stayed in Nova Scotia, while John went to Ontario, Canada. Approximate year of birth 1791 for Michael. We cannot trace any further back outside of Canada as this was pre-famine and records apparently were burned/lost?
The Finnegan name was shortened in Canada to Finigan..most likely to lack of spelling knowledge, census takers handwriting, etc.
On a recent trip to Ireland I was told by a local in Ennis that there were some Finnegan's in Limerick, but most from Monahan province.
Any clues would be appreciated.
Susan
finiganswake
Friday 4th Jul 2014, 10:41PMMessage Board Replies
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Dear Susan
Welcome to Ireland Reaching out!
You can see from the link below, the dispersal of the Finnegan name in 19th Century Ireland; mostly in the north east of the country:
http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?fuseaction=Go.&UserID=
Of the online records readily available:
There are 104 Finnegan entries in the Tithe Applotment Books (1823-1837):
http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/results.jsp?…
There are 760 entries in Griffith's Valuation (1847-1864):
http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=doNam…
Rather than burnt or lost, I would say having looked at rootsireland.ie (without success, sorry) is that your ancestors were born in a parish and at a time that predates the records. As civil registration does not begin until 1864, prior to this we are dependent on parish records. These begin at different times depending on the parish.
Have you tried searching Ancestry.com for any mention of your ancestor?s name in member family trees or messages?
Let us know if you learn anything new
Best wishes
Clare Doyle
Genealogy Support
Tuesday 8th Jul 2014, 02:06PM