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I am looking for information on my McCaffrey ancestors.  I thought I had have traced my great, great grandmother to County Cavan, Annagh Parish in Ireland.  However, a search in that county has not turned up any of the names I am seeking.

Her name is Ann McCaffrey.  She was born about 1843 in Annagh Parish.  She emigrated to the United States (although I am not sure of the year).  I have court documents where Ann states that she came to the US "as a young girl".  By 1860, she is living in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, United States.  Her father's name is Michael McCaffrey and she has one brother named John McCaffrey.  John was born in June 1847 in County Cavan, Annagh Parish.  Ann and John remained close and lived very near each other in Nesquehoning.

If anyone has any information about this family or can point me in the right direction, I would really appreciate it.

Jennifer Quinn

Wednesday 28th Dec 2016, 02:59PM

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  • Jennifer:

    Hello again!

    The Annagh RC parish in Mayo has records starting in 1851 which is too late for your interests

     http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/1040

    I also looked at the 1855 Griffiths Valuation head of housedhold listing for the parish and there were no McCaffreys listed. 

    I looked at this link and did a search http://www.swilson.info/sdist.php   (place a space between mc and caffrey) and you will note the surname is an Ulster name with Fermanagh, Tyrone and Cavan having the most incidences. So I think your initial posting in Cavan was correct.

    Have you considered autosomal DNA testing?

    Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Wednesday 28th Dec 2016, 03:59PM

  • Hi Roger,

    Thank you again.  What is the process for DNA testing?  Do I have to link it through Ancestry.com to find other relatives?  Is there any way to obtain birth records in Ireland prior to the 1850s - or does it just depend on the parish?

    Jen

    Thursday 29th Dec 2016, 04:15PM

  • Jen:

    Civil registration for births started in 1864. Prior to 1864, you have to rely on church records where available.

    Ancestry has DNA testing process. There are also other companies such as Family Tree DNA.

    After you do the test companies will send you your matches an d with Ancestry, there may be family trees available for some of your matches.

    Roger

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Friday 30th Dec 2016, 11:54PM

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