County Clare, Bienville Parish, Phillipsburg, and Siberia

This blog is a relatively small blog in the blogger world. On average, I get about 2000 legitimate link clicks each month, most by the same set of readers. I love writing the blog and do not plan to stop. Writing the posts keeps me organized and has improved my research skills. It allows me to share my finds with those who are interested, collaborate with others, and, most importantly, find family. 

This year, I have written 78 posts. My most-read post, in 2020, was about my husband's great-aunt's store in New Quay, County Clare, Ireland. I learned much about New Quay while researching for Julia Moylan's Store on the Flaggy Shore.

The second of my top three posts, Friday's Photo: Charles William Giddens, told of my Great-Uncle Charlie and his service in World War I and World War II. Uncle Charlie lived in Phillipsburg, New Jersey when he first joined the Army in 1911 and he remained in New Jersey until World War II when he entered the United States Naval Reserve to be an instructor at the Naval Air Gunners School.

Three Bryan Cemetery Monuments Beautifully Restored in Bienville Parish was my third most-read post. The Bryan Cemetery is located in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. 

My all-time favorite posts this year were those regarding the photos of Almus and Lillie Beck in Siberia. Almus and Lillie were not my family and I was looking for a good home for the photos. As only four of many photos were labeled, I started with almost nothing and came upon an incredible story. The photos now have a good home at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Click here to read the story of Almus and Lillie. To see many of their photos from Siberia, visit Snapshots From Siberia 1918 -1919. 

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.

"Moments in Time, A Genealogy Blog: Friday's Photo: Almus E. Beck of North Carolina." https://momentsintimeagenealogyblog.blogspot.com/2020/10/fridays-photo-almus-e-beck-of-north.html. Accessed 30 Dec. 2020.

"Moments in Time, A Genealogy Blog: Friday's Photo: Charles William Giddens." https://momentsintimeagenealogyblog.blogspot.com/2020/08/fridays-photo-charles-william-giddens.html. Accessed 30 Dec. 2020.

"Moments in Time, A Genealogy Blog: Julia Moylan's Store on the Flaggy Shore." https://momentsintimeagenealogyblog.blogspot.com/2020/02/julia-moylans-store-on-flaggy-shore.html. Accessed 30 Dec. 2020.

"Moments in Time, A Genealogy Blog: Snapshots From Siberia 1918." 1919 https://momentsintimeagenealogyblog.blogspot.com/2020/10/snapshots-from-siberia-1918-1919.html. Accessed 30 Dec. 2020.

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. 

Julia Moylan's Store on the Flaggy Shore

Painting by Joyce Shee

Julia's mother, Cecilia Linane
I wonder if Cecilia Linane (could be Linnane) is
connected to the Linnane's who own the lobster
bar? The food at Linnane's was good, it was
the only restaurant nearby, AND they had wifi.

 We visited Ireland in 2016. Our trip was about family history. Not so much for research, but to spend time learning about where my husband's family lived. I loved the experience. We spent several nights in a small building on the grounds of the Rhodesia House (also known as the New Quay House) in New Quay, County Clare. We were just down the road from the land owned by my husband's great-grandparents. We ate at Linnane's Lobster Bar three or four times and we visited the beautiful Flaggy Shore. 

The first day we visited the Flaggy Shore, I took in the beautiful views and never noticed the dilapidated, abandoned building on the left as we turned onto the road. Later, while telling our Airbnb host about our family, she brought up the building and told us it was Julia Moylan's store. Julia Murray Moylan was the sister of Susan Murray Quinn, my husband's grandmother. Their parents were Cecilia Linane and James Murray who lived in the vicinity of New Quay. Julia grew up in the area and remained there until her death.

Julia Moylan's home and store - 2016

Julia Murray Moylan

I was fascinated by the area and, of course, wanted to know more. Once at home, my usual searches did not tell me much about New Quay and the surrounding area until I checked Facebook. The Flaggy Shore and Blow it Open. A Flaggy Shore Miscellany Facebook pages gave me so much more than expected. I loved the photos and the history. Julia's photo had been posted on the Blow it Open. A Flaggy Shore Miscellany page. And, group members commented about Julia and her store.  

I learned that Julia sold ice cream, candy, cigarettes, and more in her store. This was her home as well. Some called it the local youth club where young peopled played cards and one wrote, What happened in Julia's should stay in Julia's. Julia was described as a nice lady with a good heart. Others remember dropping money in a plastic container for self-serve and Julia's old bicycle parked in front of her home. 





In addition to the comments, paintings of Julia's store were posted.  Artist, Joyce Shee has painted Julia's home many times. I purchased the painting at the top of this post and Joyce shared paintings of the inside of Julia's home as well. You can see beautiful paintings by Joyce Shee at her artist page on Facebook by clicking here. 

Paintings by Joyce Shee

Joyce Shee and my husband's distant cousins shared the following photos with me. 

Julia with Sandra Nicholas standing in front of Julia's thatched-roof home in 1968. 
Sandra Nicolas Murray was the wife of Patrick J. Murray, son of Julia's brother, also Patrick.

Julia Murray Moylan (center) with two American cousins standing by her store - 1983.
Note that by 1983, the roof was no longer thatched.

Julia on the left with her grandson Michael inside her home. Granddaughter, Julie, is seated
next to an unknown man. 

Joyce Shee shared these photos of the inside of the store. The windows and doors are now closed off with cement blocks. 

Julia died on November 30, 1988, and is buried in Cillin Graveyard along with her husband and son, James. For more about the Murray family, visit these posts: 

Friday's Photo: Julia Murray Moylan and Her Family

Friday's Photo: A Cemetery in New Quay, County Clare

Looking for the Murray Family Home in County Clare

Friday's Photo: Said to be Mary Rourke

Friday's Photo: Sister Bethlehem - Mary Murray

Friday's Photo: Cemetery Photos - Ellen Agnes Murray

Friday's Photo: Murray Cousins Identified

Friday's Photo: Cecelia Linane Murray 

Sunday's Obituary: Ellen Agnes Murray - Sister Mary Columbkill

Sunday's Obituary: Patrick Joseph Moylan


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

Facebook page. Blow it Open. A Flaggy Shore Miscellany. 
https://www.facebook.com/blowitopen/

Facebook page. The Flaggy Shore. https://www.facebook.com/theflaggyshore/

Family photographs from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn.

Family photograph from the collection of Jade Smithson. Used with permission. 

Family photograph from the collection of Mary Fahey. Used with permission. 

Family photograph from the collection of Bridget Murray Kennedy. Used with permission. 

Photographs and paintings by Joyce Shee. Used with permission. 
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Joyce-Shee-Artist-437907996311640/about/?ref=page_internal

#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. 

Friday's Photo: Julia Murray Moylan and Her Family

I first posted Julia Murray Moylan's photo in 2012 with very little known information. Baptized, March 25, 1893, Julia Murray was the daughter of James Murray and Celia Linnane in Ballyvelaghan, County Clare, Ireland. The  10th of 11 known children, she was the only child to remain in the Ballyvelaghan area and only one of two to remain in Ireland. 

Julia married Patrick Joseph Moylan. He died in 1956 after a bicycle accident in front of their home. Click here to see his obituary. Julia and Patrick had two children, Patrick and James. 

Son, Patrick, immigrated to the United States and lived with William and Susan Murray Quinn in NYC for a time.  A photo of Patrick and his obituary can be seen at this link. 

Son, James, lived in South Wales for 30 years before his death in 1987. 

Julia died on November 30, 1988 and is buried in Cillin Graveyard along with her husband and son, James.

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.

Friday's Photo: Said to be Mary Rourke

If you have looked at my genealogy website, you may have seen this photo. A copy of this was sent to me by a Murray family descendant who stated it was said to be Mary Rourke. Mary Rourke and Patrick Murray, of Ballyvelaghan in County Clare, were the parents of James Murray. James was the father of my husband's grandmother, Susan Murray. 

Very little has been found about Mary Rourke Murray. Her parents are currently unknown and her birth and death dates have not been found. 

If any descendants of this family have a similar picture or have information about Mary or her husband Patrick, please share!

Birth record for James Murray - November 1, 1851

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

Ancestry.com. "Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915."  Web. 10 May. 2017. <http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61039>

Family photographs and documents from the collection Diana Bryan Quinn

Looking for the Murray Family Home in County Clare

An American Murray cousin visited Ireland several times in the 1970s and 1980s. She wrote "Julia {Julia Murray Moylan} told us that her parents lived in the house and she and all her brothers and sisters were born there." However, good sources in Ireland say this house is much too new to be the Murray home in the 1800s. 

This post has more questions than answers. I know the Murray family lived in County Clare. Information from the Clare Heritage Centre in 1987 indicate my husband's grandmother, Susan Murray, and her family lived in Ballyvelaghan in County Clare, Ireland. However, researching this family is confusing as I have seen residences written as New Quay, Burren, and Ballyvelaghan. 

In 1920, James Murray, my husband's great-grandfather, applied for the "Extract from Census Return of 1851." On the application, his address was written as Balleyveleghan, New Quay, Burrin, Co. Clare. 

I love knowing James Murray applied for a census return in 1920 and he listed his parents.Was he interested in family history or property ownership? What was he expecting to find?  Who was M. J. Gaynor? Was he family? A friend? The postmaster? Unfortunately, James Murray's record was not found when he requested it and most of the 1851 census was later burned.

Looking at Google Maps did not resolve my confusion about the location of the Murray home. However, the website Irish Townlands, based on OpenStreetMap, did help with my understanding of townlands. 

According to Irish Townlands, Ballyvelaghan is in the Electoral Division of Abbey, in Civil Parish of Abbey, in the Barony of Burren, in the County of Clare. 

Ballyvelaghan has an area of only .49 square miles and is bordered by New Quay and Finavarra Demense to the west, Cartron and Munnia to the east, and Mortyclough to the south. 

New Quay (also seen as Newquay) is in the Electoral Division of Abbey, in the Civil Parish of Oughtmama, in the Barony of Burren, in the County of Clare. 

According to Irish Townlands, New Quay has an area of only .42 square miles and is bordered by Ballyvelaghan and Finavarra Demense to the east and Rine to the west. 

Click here see a townland map from the Clare Library.  

Did James and Celia Murray live in the same home throughout their marriage or did they move between the townlands? Were the townland names used interchangeably in records? Or, was their property located on the townland border crossing into New Quay and Ballyvelaghan. Below you can see the Murray family's residence as recorded in church and other documents.

• 1874 - Marriage record for James and Celia. James' home is written as New               Quay. Celia's home was Pullogh in County Galway. 
• 1875 - Residence is Ballyvelaghan on Mary Murray's birth record. 
• 1876 - Residence is Ballyvelaghan on Tom Murray's birth record. 
• 1878 - Residence is Ballyvelaghan on Bridget Murray's birth record. 
• 1880 - Residence is Ballyvelaghan on Sarah Murray's birth record. 
• 1890 - Residence is Ballyvelaghan on Peter Murray's death record. 
• 1896 - Residence on Susan Murray's birth record is New Quay. 
• 1901 - The Murray family is recorded on the census as living in                                 Ballyvelaghan.
• 1906 - James paid for a dog license. His residence was recorded as New                      Quay. 
• 1908 - Ellen Murray (aka Helen / Sister Columbkill) reported her father's                address as New Quay.
• 1909 - James residence is listed as Ballyvelaghan in court records - charged                with not having his name printed on a wagon when on a public street. 
• 1911 - The Murray family was recorded on the census as living in                                Ballyvelaghan. 

James Murray was reported as the landowner of a house with 5 to 6 rooms in Ballyvelaghan on the 1911 census. One Irish cousin thought the house had been torn down. Another said that it was a two story farm house and is still standing. 

• 1911 -  Catherine "Kate" Murray reported her father's address as Burrin                 on the ship manifest to the USA. 
• 1920 - James requested a census record and his address was written                            as Balleyveleghan, New Quay, Burrin, Co. Clare
• 1923 - James paid for a dog license. His residence was recorded as New                      Quay. 
• 1935 - James' death record indicates his residence was Ballyvelaghan. 
• 1943 - Celia's death record gives her residence was New Quay.

I wonder if someone reading this (Irish friends and relatives) can better explain these townlands - especially New Quay and Ballyvelaghan. If so, please leave a comment here or on my Facebook page. 

AND, my last question - Is my post,  A Cemetery in New Quay, County Clare, correctly titled? OR, should it be A Cemetery in Mortyclough, County Clare?

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

Ancestry.com. "Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915."  Web. 10 May. 2017. <http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61039>

Ancestry.com. "James Murray in the Web: Ireland, Census, 1901."Web. 10 May. 2017. <http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=70667&h=9623321&tid=45260559&pid=48578508058>.

Ancestry.com. "James Murray in the Web: Ireland, Census, 1911." Web. 10 May. 2017. <http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=70564&h=13723008&tid=45260559&pid=48578508058>.

 Clare Maps. Web. 10 May. 2017. <http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/maps/genmap/#M9C-9.08788!53.15536Z15F1L11L30a5*>.

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

The Family of James Murray and Cecilia Linane. Freepages., 2005. Web. 10 May. 2017. <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~bryanquinn/Murray-James-Linane-Cecilia.htm>.

Find My Past. Institutes & Organizations. Web. 10 May. 2017. <http://search.findmypast.com/results/ireland-records-in-institutes-and-organizations?firstname=james&lastname=murray&keywordsplace=new%20quay>.

Irish Townlands. "Townlands in Co. Clare."  Web. 10 May. 2017. <https://www.townlands.ie/clare/>.