Good evening. We are the offspring of Michael Moorhead and and Elizabeth Casey (parents of our great great grandfather John F. Moorhead who was born in maybe 1816 or 1823 in County Westmeath) and Michael Ryan and Anna Gavin (parents of Anne or Anna Ryan who was born on 9/17/1829 in Pallasboy, Rahugh). According to an article by Fr. John Moorhead of Rossbeg, Rahugh, John K. Moorhead and his brother Thomas Moorhead were convicted of the murder of a landlord named Roger North in about 1850--and sent to Mullingar Jail. Upon the confession of a third party (Darby Daly), the men were released. John K. Moorhead then married Anne (or Anna) Ryan in Kilbeggan Parish on July 7, 1854. Ms. Ryan's parents were Michael Ryan (born maybe about 1803) and Anna Gavin (born maybe about 1807). John F. and Anne's first born child was named Michael Moorhead, baptised in Kilbeggan Parish on 9/20/1854. In 1855, John K. and wife Anne and baby Michael set sail for America on Ship Aurora (maybe with Thomas). Baby Michael dies at sea en route to America.
The John K. Moorhead family remain in America. Brother Thomas returns from America to Ireland and marries a Catherine Young on 1/13/1873 in Milltown Parish. That union brings son Patrick (born 1/29/1874) and daughter Mary (born 4/12/1877). Daughter Mary later marries a Michael Harkins and has several children of her own. Father Thomas (and brother of John K.) dies in Moranstown on October 8, 1897.
As stated, we seek to identify the Irish ancestors and descendants of Michael Moorhead-Elizabeth Casey (parents of John F. Moorhead) and Michael Ryan-Anna Gavin (parents of Anne or Anna Ryan). This particular Michael Moorhead (husband of Elizabeth Casey) MAY be identified in the 1854 Griffth's Valuation in Keelbeg, Castletownkindalen, Mullingar, Moycashel. A William Casey is listed as a flax grower in 1796, and he MIGHT be the father of "our" Elizabeth Casey. We have yet to identify all the siblings of John K. Moorhead and Anne or Anna Ryan.
We are hoping for more information and would love to possibly meet any exisiting Irish relatives. Please email me if anyone has more information!
Respectfully,
Ellen Sward
Sacramento, California
MgKs3xem
Monday 18th Nov 2013, 03:32AMMessage Board Replies
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Hi Ellen
I had a look for your people on www.rootsireland.ie/ but couldn't find any of them!
However, I checked ancestry and there is a public member tree: Herbert 2006-1 which has some relevant info - do you have access to ancestry.com or should I send it to your email?
Col
ColCaff, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Monday 18th Nov 2013, 08:45AM