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Hello IRO Community.

I am seeking to learn more about our Mullaly family, out of Longford.  James Mullaly (my GGGF) was born around 1817.  He eventually come to Brooklyn, NY, but in his obituary in the Brooklyn Eagle it said he was from Longford. We found two possible James Mullays born in Longford in the Longford Parish at about that time.  We are guessing he is the child of Patrick Mullaly and Catherine Curly, but he could also be the child of Edward Mullaly and Catherine Neil.  Or he might not  be from either of these families.   There is no clear Irish naming pattern that works either.  Our James came to NY and married Margaret Maxwell.  We know she is from Ireland, but we don't know where.  We have found a Margaret Maxwell born in 1817 baptized in Longford's Templemichael.  And we found one of the children of Margaret and James who was baptized in Brooklyn had a sponsor named Christina Maxwell.  This is likely Margaret's sister, but it could be the wife of a brother too.  My sister and I are headed to Longford in February 2022 to look around.  We are hoping to find either Mullay or Maxwell families who have done their DNA so we might compare. 

Trish McDermott

Tuesday 27th Dec 2022, 07:59PM

Message Board Replies

  • Trish: In the mid-19th century, Maxwell was primarily an Ulster surname although there were a few Maxwells in Co. Longford based on Griffiths Valuation data. Do you know if James Mullaly was from Longford town or the county? There are a good number of Co. Longford RC parishes which do not have records back to 1817. Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Tuesday 27th Dec 2022, 09:12PM
  • Trish: In the mid-19th century, Maxwell was primarily an Ulster surname although there were a few Maxwells in Co. Longford based on Griffiths Valuation data. Do you know if James Mullaly was from Longford town or the county? There are a good number of Co. Longford RC parishes which do not have records back to 1817. Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Tuesday 27th Dec 2022, 09:15PM
  • Trish, In the 1850 U.S. federal census, there is an entry for your James; his first child is Thomas. A few houses down, on the next page, is JOHN Mullaly, whose first child is also called Thomas. It is likely James and John were brothers and that their father's name was Thomas. I hope this helps.

    Patricia

    Wednesday 28th Dec 2022, 12:23AM
  • Hello Trish I am in Western Australia, so definitely NOT the region you are searching. BUT I think I have info that could help you and definitely find relatives living that you can connect with. There were a LOT of people who left Ireland and moved to the US and to Australia - sometimes the records in another country can help. I have looked up both Maxwell and Mullaly. Maxwell families seem extremely important... a few links to explore IF you want but not sure they are YOUR Maxwells. BUT the Mullaly family I have looked up for specific links to County Longford for you. These may be your family too, they have specific locations in Longford too. I am guessing that ANY MULLALLY family in Longford is a potential link to your family, or a nice place to start if you are unsure of the exact location. On Family Search, there is a family that had a son come to Western Australia from Longford. THe info is: John Mullooly (his father is Patrick Mullally Family Search id GMCY=GHX) Family Search id GMW8-5JG Born 1812 Rathcline, County Lonford, Ireland Death 23 April 1887 Lehery County Longford, Ireland He was married to Anne Rhatigan Born 1820 Kilnacarrow Longford Death 9 June 1888 Lehery County Longford They appear to have a lot of children. The family tree IS on Family Search (free) Just search using the ID on one of the parents. Peter 1842-1921 Ballymahon, Longford John 1845 – deceased Mary 1846 – deceased Lewis 1848-1885 Michael 1850-1936 Catherine 1852-1915 Gurteengar, County Longford Mary-1852-1915 Anna 1858-1944 Bridget 1861-1931 Joseph 1862-1921 (Joseph came to Western Australia and is buried here. There are descendants on Family Search who are active researchers) ALL the children are said to have passed away in Longford. No sources listed, but you may be able to connect to the family and share DNA info. But the ambiguity in their details - no specific dates, I would question whether they actually passed in Ireland or they did move overseas. MULLOOLY families (the names changed spelling when the English and Irish were living in the same towns in Australia, literacy was not necessarily high and for people without formal education, spelling their surname would be impossible, so it was left to the person writing the name to choose the spelling - names changed a lot. BUT THIS ONE I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT - MULLOOLY FROM LONGFORD There was Father Joseph Mullooly from County Longford He died on June 25th July 1880 of a strangulated hernia. He was born in County Longford in 1819 and was professed a Dominican in 1841 (religious) The newspaper article says he was Prior of St Clement. He was known in Rome, including the bishops of Clifton and Salford. The General of the Order said the Mass. Father Joseph Mullooly was pesonally known to all the crowned heads of Europe info taken from TROVE https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150651139?searchTerm=Mullool… THIS Joseph Mullooly was from Lanesborough County Longford. He was a highly respected man and the obit is a beautiful reflection of him as a person. I believe he is related to the first family I mentioned - they lived in the same district Canning in Western Australia - the names are similar and they both have Rhatigans in the family - marriages. At his funeral, the chief mourners were his wife, then Peter, John, Lewis and Edward (sons), Eilieen and Annie (daughters)... but Mr and Mrs M Rhatigan, (they are related to the first family above too), plus Brennans and Taylors. MAXWELL FAMILY There are a few Maxwell individuals and families that came to Western Australia - they are from Ireland but there is no specific place mentioned.... except Clare... could be County Clare, could possibly be Claregalway.... I don't know. If your family IS related to these Maxwells, they have some icons in the family tree that were heroes in every sense (CY O'Connor... mentioned later) With the Maxwell's that arrived, a couple DID go to the US, one to South America and others left Australia but I am unsure where they went but can find out. Others stayed. HENRY MAXWELL born c1800 In one recollection by Henry Maxwell to his mother, he mentions Major Birch from Clare... possibly Claregalway or County Clare? I'm not sure. There is a link for the information in FREOSTUFF (Freo is Fremantle so its literally Fremantle stuff in Western Australia - we are very relaxed with naming blogs) The blog does contain a few Maxwell names and mentions Henry travelling to South America and back to England. There is a link on FREOSTUFF (Freo is Fremantle in Western Australia) DOES mention a MAXWELL family, https://fremantlestuff.info/fhs/fs/6/Lefroy.html HIS BROTHER IS JOHN MAXWELL - he was the Governor of Bermuda! its on the Freostuff link The brothers mentioned above ALSO have a cousin Henry Maxwell. They ALL lived in Ireland, they are tied to the O'Grady family and Lefroys... also the O'Connors. To ANY person in Western Australia, CY O'Connor was an absolute hero and legend for his water pipeline to the goldfields and his skills in engineering. If you are related to this Maxwell family, you have some incredible family members. THOMAS MAXWELL born c1800, arrived in Western Australia 1830 (that was the beginning of Western Australia's main port of Fremantle and Perth - start of the colony). That means he was important! He knew important people.. 13. 4.1831 but left on the Edward Lombe only 8 months later. I presume back to UK and Ireland. Hope something here helps, I know what its like looking for family, I am looking for Kellys and Fox in Longford, so thought I could share some research here that MAY help. Cheers,

    Lilly

    Wednesday 28th Dec 2022, 12:28PM
  • Hi Trish Sorry for the lack of spacing between paragraphs. Its DEFINITELY worth the read. Try Lanesborough County, rRathcline and Lehery!! County Longford

    Lilly

    Wednesday 28th Dec 2022, 12:31PM
  • Hello
    Hope reposting this in plain text will keep the formatting.

    Trish I am in Western Australia, so definitely NOT the region you are searching. BUT I think I have info that could help you and definitely find relatives living that you can connect with. There were a LOT of people who left Ireland and moved to the US and to Australia - sometimes the records in another country can help. I have looked up both Maxwell and Mullaly. Maxwell families seem extremely important... a few links to explore IF you want but not sure they are YOUR Maxwells.

    BUT the Mullaly family I have looked up for specific links to County Longford for you. These may be your family too, they have specific locations in Longford too. I am guessing that ANY MULLALLY family in Longford is a potential link to your family, or a nice place to start if you are unsure of the exact location. On Family Search, there is a family that had a son come to Western Australia from Longford.

    THE INFO IS
    John Mullooly (his father is Patrick Mullally Family Search id GMCY=GHX)
    Family Search id GMW8-5JG
    Born 1812 Rathcline, County Lonford, Ireland
    Death 23 April 1887 Lehery County Longford, Ireland

    He was married to Anne Rhatigan
    Born 1820 Kilnacarrow Longford
    Death 9 June 1888 Lehery County Longford

    They appear to have a lot of children. The family tree IS on Family Search (free)
    Peter 1842-1921 Ballymahon, Longford
    John 1845 – deceased
    Mary 1846 – deceased
    Lewis 1848-1885
    Michael 1850-1936
    Catherine 1852-1915 Gurteengar, County Longford
    Mary-1852-1915
    Anna 1858-1944
    Bridget 1861-1931
    Joseph 1862-1921 (Joseph came to Western Australia and is buried here. There are descendants on Family Search who are active researchers)

    ALL the children are said to have passed away in Longford. No sources listed, but you may be able to connect to the family and share DNA info.

    But the ambiguity in their details - no specific dates, I would question whether they actually passed in Ireland or they did move overseas. MULLOOLY families (the names changed spelling when the English and Irish were living in the same towns in Australia, literacy was not necessarily high and for people without formal education, spelling their surname would be impossible, so it was left to the person writing the name to choose the spelling - names changed a lot.

    BUT THIS ONE I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT - MULLOOLY FROM LONGFORD

    There was Father Joseph Mullooly from County Longford He died on June 25th July 1880 of a strangulated hernia. He was born in County Longford in 1819 and was professed a Dominican in 1841 (religious) The newspaper article says he was Prior of St Clement. He was known in Rome, including the bishops of Clifton and Salford. The General of the Order said the Mass. Father Joseph Mullooly was pesonally known to all the crowned heads of Europe info taken from

    TROVE https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150651139?searchTerm=Mullool

    THIS Joseph Mullooly was from Lanesborough County Longford. He was a highly respected man and the obit is a beautiful reflection of him as a person. I believe he is related to the first family I mentioned - they lived in the same district Canning in Western Australia - the names are similar and they both have Rhatigans in the family - marriages. At his funeral, the chief mourners were his wife, then Peter, John, Lewis and Edward (sons), Eilieen and Annie (daughters)... but Mr and Mrs M Rhatigan, (they are related to the first family above too), plus Brennans and Taylors.

    MAXWELL FAMILY There are a few Maxwell individuals and families that came to Western Australia - they are from Ireland but there is no specific place mentioned.... except Clare... could be County Clare, could possibly be Claregalway.... I don't know. If your family IS related to these Maxwells, they have some icons in the family tree that were heroes in every sense (CY O'Connor... mentioned later) With the Maxwell's that arrived, a couple DID go to the US, one to South America and others left Australia but I am unsure where they went but can find out. Others stayed.

    HENRY MAXWELL born c1800 In one recollection by Henry Maxwell to his mother, he mentions Major Birch from Clare... possibly Claregalway or County Clare? I'm not sure. There is a link for the information in FREOSTUFF (Freo is Fremantle so its literally Fremantle stuff in Western Australia - we are very relaxed with naming blogs) The blog does contain a few Maxwell names and mentions Henry travelling to South America and back to England.

    There is a link on FREOSTUFF (Freo is Fremantle in Western Australia) DOES mention a MAXWELL family, https://fremantlestuff.info/fhs/fs/6/Lefroy.html

    HIS BROTHER IS JOHN MAXWELL - he was the Governor of Bermuda!

    its on the Freostuff link The brothers mentioned above ALSO have a cousin Henry Maxwell. They ALL lived in Ireland, they are tied to the O'Grady family and Lefroys... also the O'Connors. To ANY person in Western Australia, CY O'Connor was an absolute hero and legend for his water pipeline to the goldfields and his skills in engineering. If you are related to this Maxwell family, you have some incredible family members.

    THOMAS MAXWELL born c1800, arrived in Western Australia 1830 (that was the beginning of Western Australia's main port of Fremantle and Perth - start of the colony). That means he was important! He knew important people.. 13. 4.1831 but left on the Edward Lombe only 8 months later. I presume back to UK and Ireland.

    Hope something here helps, I know what its like looking for family, I am looking for Kellys and Fox in Longford, so thought I could share some research here that MAY help.

    Cheers,
    Lilly

    Lilly

    Wednesday 28th Dec 2022, 12:35PM
  • Hi Roger. All we know is what was written in the obituary, that James was from Longford, nothing more. I found two birth records for a James Mullaly born in 1817. They both appear to be in the parish of Longford. I don't know if either one of them is my James, but the birthdates match. There is no strong connection to the Irish naming pattern, but they may not have followed it in the US. I'm really hoping there are some Mullaly people who know they are from Longford who have done their DNA so I can check this against my mom's GedMatch. This could also work for names that were possible mothers of my James Mullaly, either Catherine Neil or Catherine Curly. When I get to Longford, I am hoping to also look in some local cemeteries. I know nothing about our Maxwell, only that my GG grandmother Margaret was from Ireland and may have a sister who was named Christina. Thank you for the Ulster tip. It's all very exciting to try to figure this out. It's like being a detective of sorts! Trish

    Trish McDermott

    Monday 2nd Jan 2023, 10:42PM
  • Hi Patricia. Thanks for the NY info. My mom was from Brooklyn, and we've done a good amount of family research there. Thomas is my great grandfather. Also, the local paper back in the 1800s has some great stories about ancestors, who were police officers. Some are kind of crazy, but really interesting! Trish

    Trish McDermott

    Monday 2nd Jan 2023, 10:46PM
  • Hi Patricia. Thanks for the NY info. My mom was from Brooklyn, and we've done a good amount of family research there. Thomas is my great grandfather. Also, the local paper back in the 1800s has some great stories about ancestors, who were police officers. Some are kind of crazy, but really interesting! Trish

    Trish McDermott

    Monday 2nd Jan 2023, 10:46PM
  • Hi Trish, I'm in NY, so let me know if you need any lookups.

    Patricia

    Tuesday 3rd Jan 2023, 03:48PM
  •  

    Trish,

     

    I just spotted a couple of links which may be worth pursuing, on account of the unusual combination of the 'Christina' Christian name and the 'Maxwell' surname if your Christina Maxwell did indeed have a County Longford, or a County Westmeath connection.

     

    Marriage, 19 May 1863, Ballymahon RC Parish, County Longford, Ireland

    https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000632379#page/143/mode/1up

    Daniel Lawler & Christina Maxwell

    witnesses: Charles Grady & Catherine Maxwell

     

    Death Certificate, 23 July 1887, Ballymore District, Ballymahon Union, County Westmeath

    https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…

    Doniel (Duneel), Christian (probably Christina) Maxwell, female, spinster, 60 years, Mendicant, Bronchitis - Uncertified - no medical attendant.

    Maryanne Mahon, Doniel (Duneel), niece, present at death.

    Registered 05 August 1887 by John Walsh, Registrar.

     

    Locally known as Doniel, Duneel Townland lies within 5Km of County Longford. An Owen Maxwell, a Mary Maxwell and an Esther Mahon were recorded Occupiers at Duneel Townland, Killare Civil Parish, County Westmeath in Griffith's Primary Valuation of 1854.

     

    Hoping this is helpful,

    David

    David Leahy, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘︎

    Saturday 15th Jul 2023, 06:42AM

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