Madden

Debimad:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I searched on the subscription site Roots Ireland and the earliest Co. Kildare baptismal record for a Thomas Madden was in 1820. Likely records are not available back to 1800 for the RC churches in the area. Do you have family records which point to Ballyshannon parish? Did Thomas emigrate?

Roger McDonnell

Yes, Thomas did migrate to Ontario, Canada.  I see evidence of him in Roscommon but the name Bally Shannon was passed down several generations. Is it possible that they left from Ballyshannon? about late 1830's. He and his wife Bridget.  Thomas would have been born about 1800. His first born was named John.

I took another look at Roots Ireland and looked for a possible marriage record with no success. I don' think records are available for Thomas.

Have you considered DNA testing?

Roger

We did 23andme. It actually only brought back a few Maddens. It does show that he has “Niall of the Nine Hostages”.  I am assuming that it is his O’Madden clan. There is Flanagan also. I was hoping to tie down the original location of the OMadden clan. I have not been able to find any records showing their departure from Ireland. His great grandfather said he was 6. So it would have late 1830’s. Any additional ideas?

Debimad:

There are very few or any ship departure records from Ireland. Normally, the records if available are in the country where the ship landed.

You can upload your DNA to a volunteer run site called Gedmatch www.gedmatch.com   and you will get additional matches from people who tested with another company and loaded their data to Gedmatch. Also, My Heritage is allowing people to load their DNA for free until the end of November and you should get additional matches with people who tested with that company.

Roger