Thank you for visiting my blog!

Thank you for visiting my blog!

This blog is used to share information I find about the families I am researching. To see these family names click on the "My Families" tab. Please feel free to make comments, corrections, and ask questions here or on my Facebook page or go to the "About Me" tab to send an e-mail.

Reading this Blog

My posts can be accessed by the date posted from the column on the right. Blog posts containing specific surnames can be found by clicking on the names in the left column.

Line

Showing posts with label Galway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Galway. Show all posts

Monday, March 17, 2025

Exploring Galway Roots and the 1916 Easter Rising

Thank you to my dear friend, Judy Dundas, for allowing me to use her artwork this
St. Patrick's Day.  Four-leaf clovers were Celtic charms, offering magical protection
and warding off bad luck.


Thanks to a post from a fellow blogger, Linda Stufflebean, at 
Empty Branches on the Family Tree, this Saint Patrick's Day week, I have been exploring the fascinating archives provided by the National Museum of Ireland and the Irish Community Archive Network (iCAN).

Drumharsna Castle, built sometime in
the 1500s, was occupied in 1920 by the
Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish
 Constabulary (the Black and Tans)
This castle was near the Quinn home.  
Bill and I have visited the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, but their digital collections offer even more to discover online. Plus, the Museum’s YouTube channel is fantastic!

iCAN was completely new to me, and I was excited to find numerous links to community archives in Clare and Galway—areas of particular interest to me. As Ireland’s leading organization supporting digital community archives, iCAN has already helped create 46 online archives across Clare, Cork, Galway, Mayo, and Wicklow and is expanding to include other areas. 

If you’re just starting your Irish genealogy research, Introduction to Your Galway Genealogy from the Galway County Heritage Office provides a great starting point—not just for Galway, but for Irish research in general. From there, I recommend checking out the links to videos on that page, which guide you step by step through Irish census records, Tithe Applotment records, civil and church records, and the Primary Valuation.

William Joseph Quinn
1894-1959
I’m particularly interested in the 1916 Easter Rising and the events in County Galway during that time. My husband’s grandfather, William Joseph Quinn, was a member of the Kinvara Company Irish Volunteers. While exploring iCAN, I found his name on a participant list and also found a map of the 1916 Rising activities in County Galway. The iCan pages War of Independence in Galway and Galway County’s Easter Rising, 1916 — Digital Heritage Project provide a wealth of information.

If you’d like to learn more about William Joseph Quinn, his service, and his family’s history, I’ve written several posts detailing his story and listed them below for easy access.


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

© 2025

Drumharsna Castle, 2016, digital image, from the privately held photo collection of Diana Quinn, Virginia Beach, VA, 2025.

William Joseph Quinn, photograph, ca.1927; digital image, original in the privately held photo collection of D.B. Quinn, 2025.

Saturday, January 1, 2022

County Galway, Bienville Parish, New York, and Looking Ahead


My blog was a little smaller this year. You would think that retirement would mean that I could spend much more time with my genealogy, but that didn't happen in 2021. However, I am proud to say that one of the reasons there were fewer posts in 2021 was that I earned a Genealogical Research Certificate in Boston University's Genealogical Research program.[1] I spent 15 weeks practicing advanced research skills - allowing no time to research or post about my ancestors. A month after completing this rigorous program, my grandchildren came to spend the entire summer with me.  Again, no time to research or post about my ancestors. 


Most Read Posts of 2021

Bridget Quinn, wife of Patrick Murray, was from County Galway was my most-read blog post. Bridget was the wife of my husband's grandmother's brother and this short post documents her family.[2] 



The next two most-read posts were about Tillman Bryan and his daughter, Sallie Bryan Hammett, who lived in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  Friday's Photo: Tillman C. Bryan and his Pension Record is my second most-read post and one of three posts about Tillman C. Bryan.[3] My third most-read post, A Letter from Sallie Bryan Hammett of Bienville Parish, Louisiana to Lizzie Ragan in Terrell County, Georgia Written in Spring 1915, tells much about Sallie Bryan Hammett's family and others who descend from Reddick Bryan and Elizabeth Regan who settled in Louisiana in 1838.[4] 

Photos of Tillman C. Bryan were taken sometime between the late 1850s and
before his death in 1899.

Friday, July 2, 2021

Bridget Quinn, wife of Patrick Murray, was from County Galway

Patrick Murray and Bridget Quinn

Murray-Quinn photograph, before 1975; scanned image, acquired from 
the privately-held collection of C. Bury, Ireland, 2004. 

My husband's grandparents were Susan Murray of New Quay in County Clare and William Quinn of Caherawoneen near Kinvara in County Galway. Susan had a brother, Patrick Murray also of New Quay, who married Bridget Quinn of Ballinderreen in County Galway.[1] Both William Quinn and Bridget Quinn lived only about five miles from each other in County Galway. I wondered if there was a connection between the two families. 

In 1899, Bridget Quinn was born in Ballinderreen, not far from Kinvara. Her parents were Patrick Quinn and Mary Larkin. [2] Her grandparents were John Quinn and Rose Neilan [3] and Martin Larkin and Winnifred Bermingham.[4] The marriage record of Martin Larkin and Winnifred Bermingham name their fathers, Pat Larkin and John Bermingham. [5]

Documents connecting these two Quinn families were not found in civil and Catholic parish records as records in the areas where they lived are sparse before the 1860s.[6]

Bridget Quinn's family is shown in the chart below. Copies of birth and marriage documents can be seen by clicking on the links in the citations at the end of this document. 




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
© 2021

    1.Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, "Civil Records," database with images, IrishGenealogy.ie (https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1931/09017/5262896.pdf: accessed 20 May 2021); digital image, Pat Murray-Bridget Quinn marriage, 17 February 1931; citing Group Registration ID 1349845; filed 4 April 1931 by T. J. Connoly, registrar, in the District of Kinvara in the Union of Gort in the County of Galway, unidentified register and folio, "First Page," stamped no.5262896 and 227, entry no. 104.
    2. Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, "Civil Records," database with images, IrishGenealogy.ie (https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1899/02025/1776840.pdf: accessed 20 May 2021); digital image, Bridget Quinn birth, 14 September 1899; citing Group Registration ID 9932937; filed 20 September 1899 by C. McNally, registrar, in the District of Kinvara in the Union of Gort in the County of Galway, unidentified register and folio, "Second Page," stamped no.1776840 and 238, entry no. 390.
    3. National Library of Ireland, "Catholic Parish Registers at the NLI", digital images, National Library of Ireland (https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000634144#page/6/mode/1up :  accessed 12 June 2021), Kilcolgan  Parish (County Galway), Diocese of Galway, "Bapt  12 Nov. 1854 to 21 July 1881; Marr 29 Jan. 1871 to 06 Sep. 1884," page 6, Baptism and birth record for Patt Quinn; digitized from NLI microfilm 02442 / 13.
    4. Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, "Civil Records," database with images, IrishGenealogy.ie (https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1870/03355/2230287.pdf: accessed 12 June 2021); digital image, Mary Larkin birth, 14 March 1870; citing Group Registration ID 8269693; filed 25 April 1870 by Dennis J. Hynes, registrar, in the District of Ballindeerrin in the Union of Gort in the County of Galway, unidentified register and folio, stamped no.388 and 2230287, entry no. 422.
    5. Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, "Civil Records," database with images, IrishGenealogy.ie (https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1869/11423/8195944.pdf : accessed 12 June 2021); digital image, Martin Larkin - Winifred Bermingham marriage, 08 April 1869; citing Group Registration ID 3065660; filed 5 August 1869 by Dennis J. Hynes, registrar, in the District of Ballindeerrin in the Union of Gort in the County of Galway, unidentified register and folio, stamped no.8195944, entry no. 24.
    6. John Grenham, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1993). This book was first published in Ireland in 1992. 


Friday, January 4, 2019

The Family of William Quinn and Bridget Brannelly




William Quinn, the son of James Quinn and Catherine Fahy was born December 07, 1851 in Parish of Kinvara, Townland of Caheravoneen,  Co. Galway,  Ireland.  A farmer, he lived in Caheravoneen until his death on July 29, 1903.

William married Bridget Brannelly of Beagh Parish in Galway on March 9, 1886. On that date, he would have been 34 years old. Bridget would have been very close to 30.  

Bridget Brannelly's death record indicates she was 74 years old. This would make her year of birth approximately 1855. Bridget died on September 19, 1929 in Caheravoneen. Her parents are unknown.


Click here to read a little more about Bridget Brannelly. 


Children of William Quinn and Bridget Brannelly


John Quinn was born on March 03, 1887 in the Parish of Kinvara, Townland of Caheravoneen,  County Galway. Nothing is known about this John Quinn.  It is assumed that he died young as another child was named John in 1890. 









Mary Anne Quinn was born on August 15, 1888 in the Parish of Kinvara, Townland of Caheravoneen,  County Galway. At age 16, she departed from Queenstown in County Clare on the S.S. Campania and arrived at Ellis Island on June 24, 1905.  Her destination was to Jeffersonville, Indiana where she would be staying with her Aunt, Mrs. Dwyer. Mrs. Dwyer paid her passage and Mary Anne had $10 and a ticket to her final destination. This was her first trip to the United States and her last place of residence was Kinvara.  According to Mary Margaret Weber, daughter of Mary Anne Quinn, she arrived in the United States believing that she would be attending school but ended up working as a servant. In 1910, Mary Anne Quinn can be found working as a cook for in Louisville, Kentucky. She 
married Lawrence Dominic Meaney, the son of James Meany and Mary J. Hogan, on April 30, 1919 in Louisville.  Mary Anne and Lawrence had three children;  William Murray, Lawrence Dominic, and Mary Margaret. 

Lawrence Dominic Meaney died on September 24, 1956 in Louisville, Kentucky. Mary Anne Quinn Meaney died on January 21, 1969 in Louisville. They are buried in Calvary Cemetery.  

Click here to read more about the marriage of Mary Anne Quinn and Lawrence Meaney. 





John Joseph Quinn was born on June 14, 1890 in the Parish of Kinvara, Townland of Caheravoneen,  Co. Galway. Although he was born John Patrick he went by the name John Joseph Quinn. 





According to John's passport application in 1924, he came to the United States on October 28, 1914 and was naturalized as a citizen on June 8, 1918 in Spartanburg, South Carolina while serving in the United States Army. 

The 1930 census shows John married to his wife, Ellen, and working as a taxi cab driver in New York City.  Social Security records indicate that John Quinn died in August of 1965. 

Records from the West Galway History Center, indicate John married Delia Gillane on  May 02, 1933 at St. Joseph's Church, Galway; however, this is unlikely as John and his wife, Ellen, had daughters, Mary and Helen in the 1930s. There were a few other John Quinns living in and around Kinvara who may have married Della Gillane. 

Click here to see photos of John and his family. 







This is thought to be Peggy Dawson, daughter of Margaret and Harold.
Does anyone know if this actually Peggy? 
Margaret Mary Quinn was born on May 28, 1892 in the  Parish of Kinvara, Townland of Caheravoneen,  Co. Galway.  Family friend,  Michael Fahy, referred to her as "Maggie."  She left Queenstown aboard the S. S. Carmania on June 15, 1910 and arrived at Ellis Island on June 22, 1910. Her sister had paid for her fare and she listed her mother, Mrs. Quinn of Caheravoneen, Kinvara as her closest relative in Ireland. Her final destination was Jeffersonville, Indiana where she would stay with an Aunt, Mrs. Dwyer. Margaret did not remain in Indiana.  She married Harold E. Dawson on June 13, 1917 and was living in NYC by 1920. Margaret and Harold Edward Dawson had two children; Margaret Mary "Peggy" Dawson and Edward Quinn Dawson. Margaret Mary died in 1984. Her husband died in 1972. Their burial place is unknown. 





William Quinn, my husband's grandfather, was born on May 30, 1894 in the townland of Caheravoneen, Parish of Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland. 

It has been said that William Quinn came to the United States under an assumed name. Under the circumstances of 1921, it would have been a wise decision. William Quinn departed on the ship, the S. S. Celtic, from Liverpool, England using his own name.  It is not known how he arrived in Liverpool and may have used another name to leave Ireland. He arrived at Ellis Island on April 25, 1921.  William paid for his own passage and had $25 in his possession.  He was going to join his brother John Quinn at 58 West 106th Street in NYC.  He was uncertain of how long that he would stay and was in good health.  He was described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a dark complexion, black hair and brown eyes. He was 25 years old, listed his occupation as laborer, and could read and write.  He last residence was Ballinsaloe. He named his mother Mrs. B. Quinn of Caheravoneen as his nearest relative in Ireland.  

On February 14, 1926, William Joseph Quinn and Susan Murray were married at Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, Park Ave. and 84th Street in New York City. Friends who witnessed the wedding were were Patrick Gahan and Mary Tammon. 

In 1930 the Quinn family, William, Susan, and two daughters were living on West 174th Street along with a boarder, Jack Saunders.  William was a chauffeur for an auto company.  William and Susan had three more children. In the 1940s and until his death, William drove a bus in New York City.  William Joseph Quinn died on February 21, 1959 in New Jersey.  Susan Murray Quinn died on November 14, 1994 in Newport News, Virginia.  They are buried in Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Tenafly, New Jersey. 

Click on the links below to read William Quinn's pension record from the old IRA. 





Peter Quinn was born on June 26, 1896 in the Parish of Kinvara, Townland of Caheravoneen,  Co. Galway. In 1921, Peter was one of several young men who were beaten by the Black and Tan said to be looking for Peter's brother, William  He was also dragged from the back of a wagon from Caherawoneen to Kinvara. Peter suffered head injuries and spent much time as an inmate in a hospital for patients suffering mental illness.  He died in a hospital in Ballinsaloe on December 11, 1945. It was said Peter was buried in a tomb in Ardrahan along with other Quinns; Mick and James.  





Celia Quinn was born on April 13, 1898 in the Parish of Kinvara, Townland of Caheravoneen,  Co. Galway. According to Ellis Island records, Celia left Liverpool, England on the Carmania and arrived in the United States on October 17, 1920.  As written on the ship's manifest, her complexion was listed as fair, hair was dark and eyes were gray.  She only planned to stay one year and was going to visit her sister Mrs. Dawson at 25 W. 26th Street, NY.  She was 20 years old and listed her mother, Mrs. Quinn, living at Caheravoneen in Kinvara, Ireland as her closest relative in Ireland. On September 3, 1927, Celia Agnes Quinn married Richard J. Houlihan. Celia was a ticket seller for the railroad. Richard served in the US Military during WWI. Richard also served in the Air Force from 1953 to 1955. Richard J. Houlihan died on October 9, 1962 in New York. Celia Agnes Quinn Houlihan died on February 7, 1984 in Howard County, Indiana. Both Richard and Celia are buried in the Long Island National Cemetery. 

Click here to see Celia's obituary. 





On the back of the picture is written "Delia's 2 babies"
Bridget Quinn, known as Delia, was the youngest child of William Quinn and Bridget Brannelly. She was born about 1901. 

It is not recorded, but it is assumed that she was also born in Caheravoneen.  Delia, the youngest, remained in Ireland and farmed the Quinn family land with her husband, Joe Stanton, until the 1940's.  Delia had two children, Teresa and Billy. She died when they were very young. Her death date and place of burial are not known. 





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.

Family photographs from the collection of Mary Meaney Weber. Used with permission. 

Quinn, Diana Bryan.  RootsWeb.com Home Page (Currently unavailable). Freepages., 2001. <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~bryanquinn/Quinn-Murray.htm>


Friday, November 23, 2018

#52ancestors Post Forty-Three: Deaths in Our Irish Family

In Spring of 2016, I visited Ireland. One of my quests was to locate death records of my husband's Irish family. They were easily obtained at the General Register Office (GRO) in Dublin. Now, these records can be found online (free) at the Irish Government website www.irishgenealogy.ie

For #52ancestors post forty-three, the writing prompt was cause of death and I know some of my husband's family would like to see these death records obtained in Dublin. 

The following death records are those of known Quinn and Murray family. 


William Quinn #1, my husband's great-grandfather. Husband of Bridget Brannelly.
Cause of Death - Asthma and 
phthisis (an old term for tuberculosis). 


Peter Quinn, son of William Quinn #1 and Bridget Brannelly. He was the brother of my husband's grandfather, William Quinn #2. Peter was dragged from the back of a wagon, by the Black and Tan, to Kinvara from Caherawoneen. He was beaten and suffered head injuries. This occurred on February 11, 1921. He died in a mental hospital in 1944.
Cause of Death - Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Catherine Fahy Quinn, wife of James Quinn and mother of William Quinn #1.
 Catherine and James Quinn are my husband's 2nd great-grandparents.
Cause of Death - Old Age


Andrew Quinn, son of James and Catherine Quinn. Brother of William Quinn #1
Descendants of Andrew Quinn are living in Galway and County Clare.
Cause of Death - Chronic Bronchial Asthma


Celia Linane Murray, wife of James and mother of my husband's grandmother, Susan.
Cause of Death - Old Age

James Murray, husband of Celia and father of my husband's grandmother, Susan.
Cause of Death - Old Age
   
Peter Murray, age three years. Brother of Susan Quinn, my husband's grandmother. Son of James and Celia Murray.
Cause of Death - Hydrocephaly since birth


The following are Quinn death records of individuals who may be related to my husband's Quinn family. Some descendants of Quinns living in Labane were identified in a photo as cousins; however, we don't know how this line of Quinns is related. 


John Quinn of Labane.
Cause of Death - cold

Martin Quinn of Kinvara.
Cause of Death - Typhoid Fever


Martin Quinn of Labane
Cause of Death - Asthma


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. 

Sunday, March 11, 2018

#52ancestors Post Ten: Bridget Brannelly Quinn

The Quinn family on the Ireland Census, 1911. Only five children remained at home.
Mary Ann and Margaret Mary (Maggie) were living in the United States. 

This week's writing prompt for #52ancestors is strong woman and Bridget Brannelly Quinn is one of many, many strong women found in the families I research.  Bridget's husband died leaving her with seven minor children. She managed to keep a roof over their heads and her children attended school. Eventually, all but two of her children left Ireland for the United States. Her family was involved in the Irish Uprising and her home was burned. She moved on, rebuilt her home, and remained in that home until her death. 

Bridget Brannelly married William Joseph Quinn on March 9, 1886 in Beagh Parish, County Galway, Ireland. Bridget and William were my husband's great-grandparents. 

I know nothing about Bridget's life before her marriage to William Quinn. I can only estimate her birth year (about 1855) using her death record and census records. Her parents are unknown. 


The wedding of Mary Anne Quinn (daughter of Bridget)
and Lawrence Meaney (both on the right) in Louisville,
Kentucky. Mary Anne's cousin, Catherine Keaney and Lawrence
Meaney's brother, William are also pictured. Catherine Keaney's
parents are Michael Keaney and Mary Brannelly. Could Mary
be Bridget's sister or cousin? When Mary Anne Quinn arrived
in the United States she stayed with her Aunt, Mrs. Dwyer in
nearby Jeffersonville, Indiana. Could Mrs. Dwyer be a Brannelly?
Bridget had eight children; John (thought to have died at or near birth), Mary Ann, John Patrick (went by John Joseph), Margaret Mary (Maggie), William Joseph, Peter, Celia, and Bridget (Delia). When her husband died in 1903, she had seven children between the ages of 2 and 14. The two room home was owned so the family had a place to live. William Quinn had been a farmer. Did Bridget continue farming? 

Mary Ann, John Joseph, Maggie, William, and Celia left Ireland for the United States. I cannot imagine how it would feel to know I might never see my children again. I know Bridget never saw her oldest daughter, Mary Ann, after she left Ireland in 1905. William visited in 1928 and John around 1924. Visits by Maggie and Celia are not known. 

Bridget's son, William didn't leave for the United States until April 1921. Two months prior to his leaving, his family's home was burned. This article, found in the Connacht Tribune - Saturday, February 19, 1921, appears to be Bridget's account of the burning of her home. 

(From Our Correspondent)
            On Friday night, the 11th inst. a party of men, numbering about fourteen, visited the house of Mrs. Bridget Quinn, widow, Caheraroneen, Kinvara. The party wore false moustaches and beards. On entering the house, where about nine young men were card-playing, they ordered’ “Hands up!” and questioned each man.  Then they searched the house, and put the men outside the door.  As each man passed the threshold he is alleged to have been ill treated. When the last man had come out, all were placed against a wall and ordered to take off their clothes. At this moment two of the men made good their escape by running away, seven or eight shots being discharged in their direction.
            The remaining seven men had to take off their clothes, which were then placed in a heap and burned to ashes.  Meanwhile the dwelling-house was set on fire, and when this was done the barn and two stacks of corn were burned. The barn contained oats, potatoes, machinery, etc. in the stable were two horses which had narrow escapes from the flames. 
            The owner, Mrs. Quinn, implored the raiders to allow her to free the animals while the buildings were burning, and they did so. Fowl fled to and fro in the yard, and were killed.  While the young men’s clothes were burning, they had to lie on the road, face downwards. After about an hour, when the second party of raiders came from another house {Patrick Glynn’s home}, the men were ordered to stand up, and, it is alleged, they were marched about one-and – a – half miles to where two lorries were situated, and compelled to sing “God Save the King,” the words being repeated after one of the men in charge. Ultimately they were told to “clear off,” several shots were fired after them. The flames from Mrs. Quinn’s house lighted up the village.  The young men were scarcely able to move after the terrible ordeal they had gone through. 
            Mrs. B. Quinn, in an interview stated: “When the raiders arrived my daughters and I were placed in a room, and instructed to stay there. The outer door was locked on us, and they began to set fire to the house. We were told to go out the back door.  There was no back door to the house; so I informed them of this.  We were then allowed to go out the front door.  Immediately the house was set on fire, and then the barn, stables, and two stacks of corn were burned. While all were burning the young men who were at my home were being badly treated on the road.  My two horses were badly burned, as it was with great difficulty I was able to loose them from their stalls.  The raiders stated they were looking for the murderers of police. No murder of Crown forces has taken place in this district.  I am now left with my house and everything inside it burned, and I did not get one moment to take out anything.” 


To see more about the house burning click here. 

On August 7, 1922, the Freeman’s Journal reported a brief list of those who applied for reconstruction loans “in respect of injury to property in pursuante of the Irish Provisional Government’s Public Notice No. 10. dated 14th May 1922” Bridget Quinn’s loan # 123 for £450 was for property described as “Dwelling-house and out-houses, Caheroroneen, Kinvara, County Galway.”

Bridget built this larger two-story home some distance away from her original home.  


The home was vacant in 1981. 

The home was being used for storage and had attached outbuildings in 2016. 

Bridget Brannelly Quinn died on September 19, 1929 in Caheravoneen at the age of 74. 

 

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

Bridget Quinn in the Ireland, Census, 1911.  Web. 11 Mar. 2018. <https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=try&h=13413238&dbid=70564

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn

Family photograph from the collection of Mary Margaret Meaney Weber. 2007. Kentucky. Used with permission.