Friday's Photo: A Genealogist's Holiday

My daughter sent this picture in response to a friend's text asking, "What are you doing?" I know that she thought it funny and I'm sure it was. She was watching us as we tried to read the letters on this cemetery stone. Genealogy is never her favorite part of a trip, but she knew there would be at least a few genealogical activities. 

This trip to Ireland was planned for our 40th wedding anniversary in 2020, which was postponed due to COVID closures. I only planned a few genealogy activities. We met a some of my husband's cousins and looked for family townlands, but most of the trip was spent admiring the beautiful country of Ireland, learning more about Ireland's history, and enjoying family time. 

This cemetery is the Killeen Cemetery, also known as the Cillin Graveyard, in New Quay, County Clare. What my husband did not know, as he was trying to read the letters by feeling them, was that this was the grave of his second great-grandfather, Patrick Murray. I wanted to know if there could be more than one name on the stone. There was not, but it is said that my husband's great-grandparents, James Murray and Cecelia Linnane are also buried in this plot. 

Genealogical Tidbits From Our Trip

Julia Murray Moylan's home has been sold. Her home on the Flaggy Shore in New Quay was also a store where she sold numerous items, including ice cream, candy, and cigarettes. Julia was the sister of my husband's grandmother, Susan Murray Quinn. 

My second-great-grandmother, Julia Halvey (also seen as Harvey), was born in Quinpool, County Clare - about a one-minute drive from Quinville House.  We could not find Quinpool but suspect it may have been on a portion of the land behind the Quinville House Gates. 

We found my husband's grandfather's name, William Quinn, on a wall at the Galway City Museum as one of 322 from Galway imprisoned in Frongoch Internment Camp following the Easter Rising in 1916. 

This is not a genealogy tidbit, but aside from visiting my husband's Murray and Quinn cousins and our friends, the Fordes, visiting Connemara was the best part of our trip. The scenery was breathtaking, and we enjoyed the gardens and small towns. 

Everyone liked Linnane's in New Quay. It wasn't our first dinner at this restaurant. I've always wondered if this Linnane family of New Quay was connected to my husband's great-grandmother, Cecelia Linnane. I will never know until I do some digging. 

This is me in front of EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. I can't say enough good things about it! If you go to Dublin, visit this museum. Note that only I went to the EPIC. Everyone else went to the Guinness Storehouse. 

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page, where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

.

Diana

© 2022 

Friday's Photo: The John Quinn and Ann Hawkins Family of Labane, County Galway - 1929

Andrew, Frank, John Senior, an unidentified visitor, Maura, Ann, Joe, Jack, and William
Update: The unidentified visitor is William Joseph Quinn who left Ireland for the U.S. in 1921. His mother, Bridget Brannelly, died in 1929 and his passport shows he visited near that time.

This is the family of John Quinn and his wife, Ann Hawkins of Labane in Ardrahan, County Galway. I copied this when visiting John's grandson, Owen, in County Galway.[1]

This family is one of my brick walls. DNA, family stories, and a family photo tell that this Quinn family, of Labane, is connected to my husband's Quinn family who lived in the townland of Caherawoneen, near Kinvara in County Galway. However, records don't yet tell us how they are connected. 

John and Ann Quinn, with daughter Maura

John Quinn's parents were John Quinn and Sarah Burke. This is the earliest known generation of Quinns living in Labane.[2] 

The John Quinn, pictured above, had two sisters, Cecelia and Josephine, who came to the United States and lived in Boston.[3] In my husband's collection of family photos, there is a photo of Cecelia and her son John taken in Boston. My husband's Aunt Kitty identified Cecelia as her father's cousin.[4]

Andrew and Frank

My husband's cousin, Helen, told me about her parents' visit to the Frank Quinn family on a trip to Ireland in the 1950s. At the time, Frank and his wife, Maureen, had 17 well-behaved children. Two more children were born after the visit.[5] 

Joe

Joe lived for a while with my husband's grandfather, William Quinn, in New York City. Cousin Helen remembered Joe, his time in the Army, and even the name of his girlfriend.[6]  

Jack and William

William Joseph Quinn (1894-1959)

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2022 

    1. Quinn-Hawkins Family, photograph, 1929; scanned image held by D.B. Quinn, 2022, from the privately held photo collection of Owen Quinn, Ireland, 2016.

    2. Photographed family trees drawn by Owen Quinn (Ireland), n.d.; photographs held by D. B. Quinn (VA), 2022. 

    3. Ibid.

    4. Cecilia Quinn Foley and John Foley, photograph, ca. 1943; scanned image held by D.B. Quinn, 2022, from the privately held photo collection of William Quinn, Virginia, 2022.

    5. Telephone conversations between H. Quinn (NY) and D. B. Quinn (VA), between 18 September 2020 and 29 December 2020. Transcript held in 2021 by D.B. Quinn (VA).

    6. Ibid.

Friday's Photo: Patrick Quinn from Galway to Australia

Written below the photo:  Pat Quinn and Wife, sons - Tom and Jack - Australia

This photo was shared with me by a distant Quinn cousin while visiting Galway, Ireland in 2016. Patrick was born on January 14, 1867, in Labane, Ardrahan, Galway. His parents were John Quinn and Sarah Burke. It is not known when Patrick left Ireland for Australia or where this photo was taken. 

I have much information about other children and grandchildren of John and Sarah; however, I don't know how they connect to my husband's Quinn family of nearby Caherawoneen, Kinvara, Galway. 

There is definitely a connection. Descendants of both families share stories about family visits and share DNA. My husband's family knew John and Sarah's daughter, Cecelia Quinn Foley, as a cousin. And, her photo was found in my husband's family's photo collection.  

If you are a descendant of either of these Quinn families, please contact me on my Facebook page or send me an email. I have much to share and would love to hear anything that you have to add. 

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2020 

Sources 

National Library of Ireland, "Adrahan/Microfilm 02442/09," Catholic Parish Registers at the NLI  (https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000634143#page/3/mode/1up: accessed [date]), record for Patrick Quinn, 14 Jan 1867.

Patrick Quinn and Family. Photograph, date unknown. Privately held by Owen Quinn [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] County Galway, Ireland.

 

Friday's Photo: A Quinn Cousin Identified

I posted about this photo twice in May of 2013. It is one of those unlabeled photos that my father-in-law (William Quinn #3) knew was one of his cousins, but he wasn't sure which cousin. Due to dates and location, I thought it could be Francis Meehan, one of his first cousins from the Murray family. 

I was wrong. A newly found Quinn cousin identified him as John "Jackie" O'Brien son of Nora Quinn and John O'Brien Sr. The cousin remembered the photo as it hung for years on her Aunt Nora's wall. 

This cousin was born in 1932 and knows so much about the Quinn family living in NYC. If I had found her 20 years earlier, I wouldn't have had to do so much research to find family. 

John "Jack" O'Brien Jr. was my father-in-law's second cousin. Honor "Nora" Quinn was the daughter of Andrew Quinn and Margaret Flannagan of Caheravoneen, Kinvara, County Galway. Andrew Quinn was the brother of William Quinn (#1) who also lived in Carheravoneen. 

This wonderful cousin also talked about Nora's sisters, Bridget "Delia" Quinn and Mary Quinn Sarsfield both of who lived in New York. The list below shows the names of Andrew Quinn and Margaret Flanagan's children as found at the Galway Family History Center.   

         

Mary Quinn was born on October 19, 1884.

James Quinn was born on November 11, 1885.

Bridget Quinn was born on January 04, 1887.

Patrick Quinn was born on February 08, 1888. He married Mary Conroy in New Quay Church on February 28, 1927.

John Quinn was born on February 13, 1889.

Honor Quinn was born on February 17, 1890. 

Margaret Quinn was born about October 12, 1891. She married Mortimer Ryder on February 23, 1933, in Kinvara.

Catherine Quinn was born on May 09, 1893. 

Michael Quinn was born on June 29, 1894.

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2020 

Sources 

John "Jackie" O'Brien. Photograph, ca. 1937. Privately held by D. B. Quinn [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Virginia Beach, Virginia. 

O'Mahony, Teresa. Teresa to Diana, 2002. Letter privately held by D. B. Quinn [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Virginia Beach, Virginia.  

A Little New Quay News on Saint Patrick's Day

Taken in New Quay, County Clare - March 2016

I love to read old newspapers. I learn so much about families and find many surprises. 

I really like Irish Newspaper Archives. It does require a fee. I don't join for a year but pay for a month ($29.00) when I know I will be researching my husband's Irish ancestors. Over the years, I have found bits and pieces about my husband's family in both the counties of Galway and Clare.

Today, I will list some of the New Quay births, deaths, and marriages I collected when searching for information about my husband's Murray and Quinn families. These are not my families, but I thought they might be helpful to other researchers. 

• 1837 - When the wife of W. J. Skerrett gave birth to an heir, all of the towns on the property celebrated. There were bonfires. Mr. Hyne's house of New Quay was especially brilliant. 
• 1847 - A merchant vessel from Cork was driven ashore at New Quay and some lost their lives. 
• On April 17, 1870, at Bayfield in New Quay, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Aynes. 
• March 3, 1862, Henry Thynne married Anna Hynes in New Quay. Anna was the youngest daughter of the late John Hynes. Henry was the eldest son of Edward Thynne of Ballinagrane in County Clare. 
• July 30, 1864, at St. Andrews Church, Captain Cowan of the Galway Militia married Helena, eldest daughter of W. J. Skerrett. Captian Cowan was the eldest son of Joseph H. Cowan. 
• At Bayfield, Mrs. Mary Kerin (husband Thomas Kerin) died in 1865 (date not known) at the home of her son-in-law, Michael Hynes. 
• Mrs. Elizabeth Baker, age 96, died on January 23, 1866. Formerly of New Quay, she died at the home of her son-in-law, George M'Clean. 
• In September 1879, Timothy Kerin died. 
• In February 1893, the New Quay Parish Priest, Father Martin Sweeney died. His father was Ulick Sweeney of Galway. 
• In July 1925, Mr. Michael Davenport of New Quay died. 
• Mrs. Mary Gaynor died on August 27, 1930, at her residence in New Quay. 

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2020

Sources

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn. 

"Irish News Archive Newspaper Records." Irishnewsarchive https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/subscribe. 

#52ancestors Post Twenty-Five: Same Name - William Joseph Quinn

William Joseph Quinn (#2) and Susan Murray Quinn with some of their grandchildren.
The sad baby on William's knee is my husband, William Joseph Quinn (#4).

I wrote in a previous post, William Joseph Quinn - Six Generations, the name William Joseph Quinn has been used for six generations, over a period of 166 years, and on three continents. The 25th writing prompt for #52ancestors is same name. In my family tree, this same name has been used more than any other. 

I have much family history to share regarding the Quinn family.  My family history webpages have been on Rootsweb Freepages since at least 2001 and the Quinn pages had several thousand views - more than any of my other families. 

Unfortunately, my web pages along with all other Rootsweb pages have been removed due to security problems. It is unknown if or when the pages will be restored. As I have time, I will add the family history pages, along with much-needed updates, to this blog. 

Today, I have added information about the family of William Quinn (#1) and Bridget Brannelly. You can see this as a tab above or by clicking here. 

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2018

Sources

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn.

William Joseph Quinn - Six Generations

I am writing this post for my son and daughter-in-law who chose to name their son, William Joseph Quinn. 

Years ago, when expecting my first child, my husband let me know I could choose the name if it were a girl, but a boy would have to be named William Joseph Quinn as he wanted to continue the family tradition.  Well, the first child was a girl, but the second was named William Joseph Quinn. No junior or senior. We didn't know how many preceded him until I began my genealogy research. 

The last two lines were found in the Catholic Parish Register for Kinvara, Galway, Ireland for December 1851.
Transcribed as follows
do 7th William of James Quinn and Kity Fahy
Caheravoneen    Sponsors - Martin Conoughton and  B. Quinn

The second William Joseph Quinn

The first William Joseph Quinn in this line was born December 7, 1851 in the Parish of Kinvara, Townland of Caheravoneen,  County Galway, Ireland. His parents were James Quinn and Catherine Fahey. He married Bridget Brannelly and was a farmer in Caheravoneen.

The second William Joseph Quinn was born on May 30, 1894, also in Caheravoneen. He was the fifth of eight children born to William Joseph Quinn and Bridget Brannelly. This second William Joseph Quinn immigrated to the United States in 1921. He married Susan Murray and raised five children in New York City. 

The third William Joseph Quinn

The third William Joseph Quinn was my father-in-law. He was born in New York City and, after college, joined the U.S. Army. He married his wife, Doris Staubach, in New York City. They had five children and lived in several states, France, and Germany during his career in the Army. 

My husband and son, both born in Virginia, are the fourth and fifth William Joseph Quinns. And my new grandson, born in China, is the sixth. 

The name has continued to be used for six generations, over a period of 166 years, and on three continents. 

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2017

Sources

Family photographs and documents from the collection Diana Bryan Quinn.

Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915 for William Quin. 
Web. 27 Dec. 2017. <https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/61039/02442_15_0046?indiv=try&h&db>.

William Quinn and His Siblings Attended the Northampton National School in County Galway

The Northampton National School, built in 1853, is now a private residence. 

Five of the seven children of William Quinn and Bridget Brannelly were listed as scholars on the 1901 census of Caheravoneen South in County Galway. John - age 10, Mary Anne - age 12, Margaret - age 9, William - age 6, and Peter - age 4 were the scholars.  Children in Caheravoneen "attended school about a mile up the road" according to our friend who knew the area well. 

The local school was Northampton National School. It was was opened in May 1853. It is possible several generations of Quinns attended the school. A new school building opened in the 1950s. 

On the 1911 census, it was reported that William and Bridget Quinn's children, Peter, Delia, and Celia, attended school. Peter might be in a 1910 photo of the boys attending the school. Click here to see the photo the boys and other local Northampton/Kinvara photos.  

The Northampton National School served children from many neighboring townlands. Children attended school until about age 14. The younger students were taught in the rooms to the right of the building and the older students in rooms on the left side. Boys and girls were schooled together, but during recess were separated by walls in the outside play area. 

Our friend, formerly of Caheravoneen, attended school in the old building and later purchased and beautifully renovated the old school as his private residence. He gave us a tour of the old school (his home) and also showed us much of the surrounding area. 

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2017

Source

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn.

Breatnach, C., & Korff, A. (1997). Kinvara: a seaport town on Galway Bay. Newtownlynch, Kinvara, Co. Galway: Tír Eolas.

Residents of a house 3 in Caheravoneen South (Cahermore, Galway). N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2017. <http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Galway/Cahermore/Caheravoneen_South/1384551/>.

 Ireland Census 1911 Transcription. FindMyPast.com. Web. 12 Apr. 2017. <http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=ire%2fc1911%2f2000025>.

Friday's Photo: Ireland 2016

Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland 

This time last year, I was in Ireland with my husband and daughter. I wrote two posts about the trip and then put everything away - never to get back to it.  In addition to a very nice vacation, I learned a lot about the places the Murray and Quinn families lived as well as a little more about their lives.

If you are interested in my husband's Quinns and Murrays, you can look forward to posts in the coming weeks about these families, their homes, and earliest known ancestors. 

Last year's posts about this trip are below. 

Friday's Photo: In Remembrance of the Kinvara Company Irish Volunteers 1916 - 2016

Friday's Photo: William Quinn - What would he think?


If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2017

Source


Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn