The Downeast Shamrock

DOWNEAST SHAMROCK JULY 2013

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The Downeast

Shamrock A Monthly Journal of Irish Heritage and Genealogy in Maine, New England, the Northeast, and Canada

From the editor, 1

Queries, 2

In Memoriam, David Soule, 4

Margaret Hession McCann, 5

Galway Surnames, 9

Old Photos (Daniel Tallon), 12

Old Newspaper Items, 14

News From Ireland, 15

On the Cover, 16

VOLUME 3, NUMBER 4 JULY 2013


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From The Editor

Welcome to another edition of THE DOWNEAST SHAMROCK, a monthly newsletter devoted to Irish genealogy and history in Maine, New England, the Northeast and Canada.

As our readers will realize, we are more than three months late with this issue. You have not missed any issues! This editor has been quite busy the last six months, with writing and finishing up a brief history of the Portland Irish, which we will tell you more about soon. Also, the editor moved in April, thus it has been one busy spring and summer! We apologize for our tardiness! Hopefully we can get back on schedule for the fall.

The Maine Irish Heritage Center has also been quite active, especially with DNA studies and genealogy. The editor is one of the resident genealogists at the center who continues to help visitors with their Irish family history. The MIHC has also hosted many events since April, including the Not-‐So-‐Silent Auction, Bloomsday events, lectures, the Saltwater Celtic Music Festival, and miscellaneous events. Upcoming events include a lecture by noted Portland historian Herb Adams on the Battle of the Boxer and Enterprise (1812); a John Ford day on August 30; and the latest St. Dominic’s School Reunion in September. All those who attended the school or are in any way interested in St. Dominic’s School and Church are welcome to attend. The annual Claddagh Award,

given to outstanding Irish Americans from Maine, will be held in October and is to be given to hotelier Tom Ryan. FMI, 207-‐780-‐0118. The MIHC also has a new and improved website. Go to www.maineirish.com for dates and information on upcoming events, as well as information on the genealogy department.

Another event we would like to mention is here is the 150th commemoration of the sinking of the RMS BOHEMIAN off the coast of Cape Elizabeth, Maine on the night of February 22, 1864 in which forty-‐two people drowned, mostly Irish emigrants. This event, with a dinner and music, is co-‐sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Daniel O’Connell O’Donoghue Division, Division 1, Portland, Maine, and the Maine Irish Heritage Center and will take place at the center on or about February 22, 2014. We will have more information on this important event in future newsletters.

Well, until next time, keep digging and may the luck of the Irish be with you at all times in your search! Slainte. Matthew Jude Barker, Editor, writer, compiler, PO Box 8421, Portland, Maine, 04104, USA, email: [email protected].


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QUERIES

Send us your queries today! You can email them or send them via snailmail. We will print them as space permits. Queries should be to the point, including full names, places of birth, marriage, and death, and all relevant dates. Please remit to: Matthew Jude Barker, Editor, PO Box 8421, Portland, Maine, 04104.

230-‐3 KILLAWEE (GILLOWAY)-‐DOWD-‐CURRAN

Seek ancestry, desc. of MATTHEW KILLAWEE (1851-‐) and wife BRIDGET DOWD of Ballygilcash, Dromore, County Sligo. Children b. bet. 1873-‐95: MARY, BRIDGET, WILLIAM JOHN, m. NORA CURRAN, d. PORTLAND, ME; ELLEN, MATTHEW, MAGGIE, CATHERINE, SARAH. Any help appreciated. RICK GOSS, [email protected].

231-‐3 MONAHAN-‐BURKE-‐GREANEY-‐STAUNTON-‐STANTON

Seek ancestry, desc. of JOHN MONAHAN and MARY BURKE, married 1834 Cummer Parish (Belclare), County Galway, believed to be parents of MARY MONAHAN GREANEY (1835-‐1915) of Ballintleva, Belclare, Tuam, and SARAH MONAHAN STAUNTON/STANTON, of Mossfort, Donaghpatrick Parish, Co. Galway. Any help appreciated. MATTHEW J. BARKER, PO Box 8421, Portland, ME, 04104.

232-‐3 COGHLAN-‐CARRIGG-‐HEDERMAN

Seek descendants of MATTHEW COGHLAN (1859-‐1924) and MARGARET CARRIG (1860-‐1916) (d/o DANIEL) of Caherea, Clondegad Parish, County Clare. They had, between 1885-‐1903: PATRICK, THOMAS, CATHERINE, MARY, DANIEL, MICHAEL, MATTHEW, & MARTIN. Their daughter CATHERINE (1890-‐1934) m. DENNIS HEDERMAN in Chicago, had son JOSEPH HEDERMAN, SR., 1930, who was still alive 2012. Any help most appreciated. Thanks. MATTHEW J. BARKER, PO Box 8421, Portland, ME, 04104.

233-‐3 HART-‐RUSH-‐FLAHERTY-‐CARSON

Seek ancestry, desc. of MICHAEL HART (1830-‐1890), s/o THOMAS, b. Ireland, d. Portland, Maine, m. BRIDGET E. RUSH (1843-‐1913), b. probably Galway, Ireland, d/o THOMAS & MARY FLAHERTY RUSH. Children born bet. 1867-‐74: JAMES P., MARGARET, ALICE, EDWARD, GEORGE H., CELIA (1874-‐1924), m. HERLDING CARSON, 1897, son RICHARD HART CARSON (1919-‐1983). Any help appreciated. KAREN CARSON NORCROSS, [email protected].


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234-‐3 PYNE-‐CASEY-‐NOLAN-‐CONNELL

Seek desc. of WALTER PYNE (1785-‐1874) of Kilworth, County Cork, s/o DAVID & ELLEN CASEY PYNE, m. JOHANNA NOLAN (1793-‐1868), d. Hingham, MA, children, born bet. 1820-‐39: JOHN, JEREMIAH, EDWARD, PATRICK, DAVID, WALTER, & CATHERINE (1839-‐), m. CORNELIUS CONNELL. Family all resided in Massachusetts. Thanks. MATTHEW J. BARKER, PO Box 8421, Portland, ME, 04104.

235-‐3 CONNELL-‐PYNE-‐DOHERTY-‐HEFFERNAN-‐OSIER

Seek desc. of CORNELIUS CONNELL (1837-‐1892), b. Co. Cork, s/o PHILLIP, m. CATHERINE PYNE, children, born Hingham & Boston, MA, bet. 1860-‐75: MARY A.; JOHANNA “ANNIE;” PHILLIP (1862-‐1896), m. CATHERINE DOHERTY; WALTER F. (1871-‐1908), m. DORA HEFFERNAN; DAVID V. and CORNELIUS J. CONNELL, m. MARY OSIER. Any help appreciated. MATTHEW J. BARKER, PO Box 8421, Portland, ME, 04104, [email protected].

236-‐3 RUSH-‐FIELD-‐THOMPSON

Seek ancestry of GEORGE E. RUSH (1855-‐1935), b. Co. Galway, d. Portland, ME, m. 1878 Galway City, AGNES FIELD (1849-‐1907), 4 children: MARIA/MARION G. (1877-‐1900), m. THOMAS W. THOMPSON; WILLIAM (1880-‐1914); MAGGIE (1883-‐1908), & JOHN RUSH. Any help appreciated. ANN MARIE CHANDLER, [email protected].

237-‐3 TOOLE/O’TOOLE-‐O’HARE/HARE-‐TOOLE

Seek ancestry of BRIDGET TOOLE (O’TOOLE), born 1848, died 1883 Knock, Spiddal, County Galway, m. MARCUS O’HARE (HARE) (1841-‐1931), children born Knock: MARY A. (1871-‐1945), m. JOHN TOOLE, died Portland, ME; SARAH, m. twice; PETER; & MICHAEL O’HARE. Any help appreciated. Thank-‐you. MAUREEN PATTEE, 9 Chapman Street, Portland, ME, 04103, [email protected].


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NEW MEMBERS

CEAD MILE FAILTE! A hundred thousand welcomes to new members and old!

We welcome the following new members for the summer of 2013. Those marked by an * have renewed their membership.

ANN MARIE LACKEY, Pittsboro, North Carolina

PATRICIA J. McBRIDE, Cape Elizabeth, ME*

MARY E. GILLAN, Portland, ME *

MICHAEL FUREY, Portland, ME *

JOHN J. ELWOOD, Manchester, MA

IN MEMORIAM

We are very sorry to report the death of our friend and fellow genealogist DAVID JONATHAN JUDE SOULE, a co-‐founder and longtime volunteer at the Maine Irish Heritage Center. David passed away in May after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 62 years old.

David was born in Portland, the son of William P. Soule, ne Mogan, and Lillian Whitmore. He began tracing his family history in 1989. David’s Irish ancestors included the Mogans, McDonoughs, and Foleys on his father’s side, and the Nees (Neys), Walshes, McHughs, Kellys, Mulligans, and Nixons on his mother’s side. He, for many years, published a newsletter on his heritage, Mulligan Stew.

David’s countless friends and family will sorely miss him. He was an integral part of the MIHC, especially the genealogy department. David was a great promoter of DNA genealogy and the MIHC has come to the forefront of this latest endeavor, thanks, in part, to David.

This editor worked with David, his good friend, on many genealogy projects over the years, including the beginning of transcribing the early marriages of St. Dominic’s Church (the MIHC), from 1842-‐1851.

The MIHC will soon create the SOULE FOUNDATION, with support from the Soule family, which will sponsor and benefit DNA and genealogical studies.


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MARGARET HESSION McCANN, A TEACHER OF IRISH FROM GALWAY

MARGARET HESSION, MAIRHEAD NI OISIN in Irish, was an influential teacher of the Irish language for decades in Spiddal, County Galway and Dublin, Ireland. She is the mother of our member DR. CAIRBRE McCANN, as well as a second cousin to this editor’s great-‐grandfather.

Margaret “Maggie” Hession was born in Ballydotia (Baile Doite), Belclare Parish, County Galway, the daughter of STEPHEN HESSION (1860-‐1934) and ELLEN REANEY (1859-‐1925). She was the granddaughter of THOMAS and ANNE HESSION and THOMAS and MARGARET GREANEY REANEY of Mossfort, Caherlistrane, County Galway. Her great-‐grandfather was PATRICK GREANEY (PADRAIG O GRAINNE), a poet and songwriter from Ballintleva, Ardrumkilla, Belclare (Cummer) Parish. Maggie had eight siblings: Thomas, Aine, Martin, Eileen, Maire, Brid, Stiofan, and Mick Hession.

The following is a translation of a biographical sketch of Margaret which can be found at Ainm.ie.com. The original is in Irish Gaelic. We thank AONGUS McCANN of Barna, County Galway, for this translation. Mairhead was his mother. Aongus worked for the Irish government in the Gaeltacht (Irish-‐speaking) areas of Ireland. The below also has much information on the Hession and McCann families. Part of it was written by the famous SEAMUS ENNIS (1919-‐1982). The

beginning was written by Eileen Costello in her Amhrain Mhuige Seola, a collection of old Irish songs from Mayo and Galway.

“I owe many of the songs in this book to the Hession family. It is famous in Irish speaking circles. It consists of father, mother and nine children, all equally proficient in song and story. It is many years now since my little friend Maggie used to come in to sing me her Irish songs. She is a dignified young lady now, in charge of a school near Spiddal where she still continues her good work for the language, both in her National School and in the Irish College. She often told me of her grandmother {Margaret Greaney Reaney} who was a celebrated singer and from whom the family learned all their songs. It was the grandmother’s father, Pat Greaney of Ardrumkilla who composed the songs “Sean O Ciardubhain” {John Kirwan}; “Amhrain na Mine,” and “Doctor Jennings” in this collection.

Now Seamus Ennis:

“It is from Maighread that Mrs. Costello wrote the airs of nineteen of the songs in that collection.

Maighread ni hOisin was born on 24 February 1892 in Baile Doite, Belclare, County Galway. Stephen Hession, a farmer and Ellen Reany were her parents. They were both native Irish speakers. Maggie Hession had four brothers and four sisters. The first time she came to public notice was when she won a singing competition in Tuam at the age of ten. (An Claidheamh


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Soluis, 16 August 1902). It was Edith Drury (later Eileen Costello) who presented the prizes on that day. Maighread attended school in the Convent of Mercy Tuam and later in the Convent of Mercy in Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

At the Oireachtas of 1904 the Hession family won first prize for “Conversation between a Family” (Sceal an Oireachtais 1897-‐1924 by Denis O’Sullivan). It is reported that Maighread’s sister Annie won both senior and junior divisions of a competition-‐-‐-‐something that had never been done before and Maighread shared first prize in five competitions and second prize in another (An Claidheamh Soluis 13 August 1904).

In Denis Sullivan’s book there is the following appendix concerning the Silver Trophy of the Oireachtas: “It was announced in the programme of the 1906 Oireachtas that a silver trophy would be awarded to the competitor who achieved the most marks in the divisions of Literature and Language. To be considered for the trophy a competitor would have to score marks in both divisions. The marks were to be awarded as follows: four marks for first place, three marks for second place and one mark for “highly recommended.” Maighread Ni hOisin, Belclare, Tuam won the trophy with fifteen marks. She won it by one mark from “highly recommended” achieved in the competition for “Collection of Poems not Previously Published.” She achieved first place in recitation of Poetry and second

place in Conversation for Girls 18-‐20 years old; second place for Reading of Irish and second place in Prepared Speech.

The committee was not satisfied that the competition achieved the objectives that they had in mind for it and decided not to repeat it the following year. The secretary said as much in his report to the Ard-‐fheis of 1907.

In Inniu of 19 October 1954 there was a letter from Dr. Sean McCann concerning the Silver Trophy. He said that PADRAIG PEARSE had presented the trophy in question at his own expense {to Maggie} and that both he and Maighread would be willing to donate the trophy to an appropriate society or organization as a faithful commemoration of Padraig Pearse.

Maighread was described as “The ubiquitous Mairead Ni Oisin” in one of the reports in the Claidheamh Soluis, because of the frequency with which she won prizes in Feis competitions. Here is how she was described on 17 August 1907: “the little girl with the large eyes and the mobile features is Mairead Ni Oisin of Beal Chlair; her “Sail Chuach” has often moved mighty audiences to tears and her short folk tales, learned chiefly from Beairtin Breathnach have set whole Feiseanna in a roar.” Peadar O’Anrachain gave the following account of her sister a few years later: “Annie Hession delivered a song and you would have thought it was some musical fairy creature giving advice to the Gaelic Irish People, with her standing there


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on a heathery mound, wearing a white dress and her head crowned with black hair. The same head was raised high and joy was sparkling through her eyes and her serene countenance. The sweetness and soulfulness of her voice moved and inspired us.” Annie took part in the Oireachtas Concert in Galway in 1913.

In a turn of fate in 1910 Maighread found herself along with Eileen Costello judging the singing competition at Feis Chonnacht in Spiddal. It was her own sister Eibhlin who won first prize in one of the competitions (An Claidheamh Soluis, 10 September 1910).

Maighread got a scholarship to Carysfort Teacher Training College. The Claidheamh Soluis reported on 2 September 1916 that she was teaching Scoil Shailearna west of Spiddal; on 10 March 1917 that she attended a meeting of the Galway Gaeltacht Teachers, and on the 23 June 1917 that herself and Eamon Goggin were joint secretaries of Cumann Gaelach na Muinteoiri Scoile.

According to An Claidheamh Soluis for 26 October 1907 Annie Hession was engaged to teach Sean Nos singing in the schools in Kilskeery, County Tyrone. It appears that she returned there several times and that she used to take Maighread with her. They reported in the issue of 3 August 1912: “Eithne (Aine) Ni Oisin and Mairead her sister have succeeded in teaching Irish singing to a large number of Trillick children. Mairead Ni Oisin has been

helping singing classes in the schools since she left Carysfort College early in July.”

This is how Maighread happened to be in Kilskeery and how she made the acquaintance of Sean Mac Cana in the house of the parish priest, Fr. Matt Maguire. Sean was from that parish. He was a professor in Colaiste Chonnacht in Spiddal from 1916 to 1918. He was professor of Irish in St. Joseph’s College in Galway for two years. He was involved in Conradh na Gaeilge in Galway and was teaching classes in Galway University where he was studying medicine. He qualified in 1922.

Sean Mac Cana (McCann) and Maighread Hession were married on 2 April 1918 in the Pro-‐Cathedral. An Cnoc Spiddal is given as Maighread’s address in the marriage certificate with no occupation mentioned. Sean was described as a teacher with no address given. Bernard McCann, teacher, was his father. Martin Hession and Eileen Hession were Best Man and Bridesmaid. They had six of a family, four sons and two daughters. They were both founder members of Colaiste an Phiasaigh in Galway, the first college established under the First Dail. They continued working for the college until 1935. In 1922 they lived in a house called San Remo in Bray, County Wicklow. Maighread got a job in the Central Model School in Marlboro Street, Dublin and continued to work there until she retired.


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She played a part in a radio play, broadcast on Radio Eireann in 1933 (An Irish translation of Lady Gregory’s “Spreading the News.” It was said to be her first Irish language play broadcast by the national broadcaster.

Maighread collaborated with Sean in the preparation of his Irish Grammar: “Gramadach an Mhic Leinn,” first published in 1924. A second edition was published in 1938.

By 1926, the family was resident in Hannaville Park, Terenure, Dublin. They moved later to “Glenone,” 48 Terenure Road East.

There is an account of Sean in the Sunday Independent of 30 June 1935, in the Journal of the Irish Medical Association, Volume 64, 7 January 1971, and in “Comhar” of December 1955 when he was standing for election to the Board of the National University of Ireland.

There is an account of Maighread and her family by Liam Mac an Iomaire in the reprint of Amhrain Mhuighe Seola in 1990. Stiophan {Hession} was the second youngest of the family and he was twenty-‐six years as principal teacher in the primary school in Rosmuc, County Galway. Michael Hession was the youngest and his daughter Celine and son Carl are well known in the fields of Irish music and dance.

Sean died on 30 September 1970 and Maighread died on 19 November 1978.

They are buried in Templeogue Cemetery in County Dublin.

For more information on Margaret Hession McCann and the families of Hession, McCann, Reaney, and Greaney, please contact the editor at [email protected]. ____________________________________Below is a copy of an obituary from Portland Evening Express, 12 March 1941:


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GALWAY SURNAMES, PART SIX, By M. J. Barker

This is Part Six of our ongoing series that explores the many surnames indigenous or common to the County Galway.

This series does not feature every surname from Galway, but the majority will be treated here. For more information on the following surnames, please consult Edward MacLysaght’s SURNAMES OF IRELAND (Irish Academic Press, Dublin, 6th Edition, 1999) or Michael C. O’Laughlin’s FAMILIES OF COUNTY GALWAY (Irish Genealogical Foundation, Kansas City, Missouri, 1998). Mr. MacLysaght is still the acknowledged expert on Irish surnames, although he passed away twenty-‐five years ago.

The entries will usually include a brief background on a given surname, along with various spellings, corruptions, anglicized forms, and Irish Gaelic spellings.

FRAIN, FREAN, FRAYNE, FRIHIN: Variants or alternative versions of FREENEY.

Mac GAGH: Mag Eachain in Irish, it is a Galway-‐Mayo surname. It is GAFF in County Offaly.

Mac GANN: The Connacht form of MacCANN, it is Mag Annaidh.

Mac GARVEY: MacGairbhith in Irish, it is a Donegal family also found in Mayo, Galway, and Louth.

Mac GEOGHEGAN: Also GEHEGAN, it is Mag Eochagain in Irish and originally found in Westmeath.

Mac GERAGHTY: Mag Oireachtaigh in Irish, it is found in Galway, Roscommon, and Mayo. Many versions, including GERETTY, GERETY, GARRITY, GEROUGHTY, GERRITY, GERAUGHTY.

GIBBONS: MacGiobuin in Irish, it is a branch of the Burkes of Connacht. It is also FITZGIBBONS and MacGIBBON in Mayo.

GILLEN, GILLAN: O Giollain in Irish, it is a family of the Cenel Eoghain mainly found in Sligo, Donegal, and Tyrone. It is also found in Galway where it is also spelled GILLANE, GILLEEN.

GILMORE: Mac Giolla Mhuire in Irish, meaning devotee of Blessed Virgin Mary. Also Mac Giolla Mhir (mear, lively), in Sligo. GILMOUR.


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GLEESE: An East Galway surname spelled de Glys in the 15th Century. GLEASE.

(Mac) GLYNN: Mag Fhloinn in Irish, from flann, meaning ruddy. It originated in the Athlone area and spread throughout Connacht, especially Galway, and County Clare.

GOALEY, GOOLEY: It was in Cork and Limerick as early as 14th Century. GOALEY is found in Galway.

GOLDING, GOLDEN: This name, when not of English origin, is found in various places, including Galway, Cork, and Leitrim.

GORHAM: A name common to Connemara, where it is probably an old Irish surname, O Guarim in Irish. GORUM is a corruption in the old records.

(Mac) GREALISH: Mag Riallghuis in Irish, it is the Connacht form of MacNELIS. It is sometimes changed to GREELEY, especially in New England.

(Mac) GREALLY: Mag Raoghallaigh in Irish, it almost exclusively a Galway and Mayo surname. GREELEY, GREELY.

(O) GREANEY: O Grainne in Irish, it is one of the few surnames derived from a woman’s forename, Grainne (Grania). Found throughout Eastern Galway, it is also found in County Kerry. GREANY and GRANEY are variants. GRAINEY, GRANY, GREENEY (corruptions).

(Mac) GREEN: (Mac) GREEN is a well-‐known Western Clare surname and may have spread to Connemara from there, where it is rather common. GREENE. It is also an English name.

(O) GRIFFIN: Also spelled GRIFFEY in Clare, it is O Griobhtha in Irish, meaning griffin-‐like. The main sept is of Thomond in Clare, but also found in Galway.

HACKETT: Haiceid in Irish, this is an Anglo-‐Norman surname. The Connacht branch “became completely Hibernicized,” according to MacLysaght. MacHACKETT, HACKET. Castlehackett near Headford was an early seat of the family.

(O) HALLORAN: O hAllmhurain in Irish, there are two septs of this name, in Galway and Clare. HALLERAN, HOLLERAN.


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(O) HALVEY: O hAilmhic in Irish, from ailmhic, meaning noble son in English, found in Galway and Mayo.

HANBURY, HAMBERY: O hAinmhire in Irish, it is mainly found in Counties Galway and Clare. Also ANSBORO and HANSBURY.

(O) HANLEY, HANDLY: O hAinle in Irish, it is an important sept found in Connacht and Cork. From the Irish word for beauty, ainle. HANLY, HANDLEY.

HANNIFY, HANIFY: Variants of HANVEY found in County Galway.

HARDIMAN: A name meaning “bold man” in English, used for HARGADAN in Galway. Many in Galway became HARDY, where it was often found in the 19th Century.

(O) HARGADAN: O hArgadain in Irish, this name is usually found in County Sligo. According to MacLysaght, it “has been generally superseded by Hardiman” in Galway. HARGADON.

(O) HAVERTY: O hAbhartaigh in Irish, it is located in County Galway, and, according to MacLysaght, it “is now almost

exclusively found in a small area near Craughwell” in Galway.

HEAD, HEADE: Of English Catholic origin, this family was transplanted by Cromwell to East Galway, according to MacLysaght.

(Mac) HENRY: According to MacLysaght, it is Mac Einri in Irish and a variant of MacENIRY.

(O) HERAGHTY: O hOireachtaigh in Irish, it is mainly located in Counties Galway, Mayo, and Donegal. Also spelled HERATY, it is sometimes synonymous with GERAGHTY.

(O) HERNON: O hIornain in Irish, it is found in Counties Leitrim and Galway. A sept of the Ui Fiachra, formerly in the Aran Islands. HERNAN.

(O) HEVICAN, HAVIGAN: Found in Galway and Roscommon; apparently variants of HEVAGHAN.


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OLD PHOTOS

This image is of LORD MAYOR DANIEL TALLON, the Lord Mayor of Dublin who visited Portland, Maine in 1899. He owned and operated a pub on the corner of St. Stephen’s Street and Great George Street South in south-‐central Dublin. He was elected Lord Mayor in the fall of 1897 and served 1898-‐1900. In 1898 Tallon, along with his secretary, Thomas Kennedy, a native of Castletownbere, Beara, West Cork, visited the Beara area to witness the “distress” there.

In late 1899, Lord Mayor Tallon, JOHN E. REDMOND, M. P., and Tallon’s secretary THOMAS KENNEDY visited the United States on a fund-‐raising tour to raise money for the erection of a memorial monument to the late CHARLES STEWART PARNELL and raise money to save Parnell’s estate AVONDALE in County Wicklow. They visited Portland in November and a grand reception was held at City Hall, where both Protestants and Catholics came out to hear them speak. In the end, they raised $30, 000 in the US. The following image is from the Daily Eastern Argus of 6 November 1899:


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IRELAND REACHING OUT, THE LATEST NEWS FROM JULY 2013

The on-‐going IRELAND REACHING OUT endeavor is going strongly and more and more people are visiting Ireland to research their ancestors and visit long-‐lost relatives. Many families have had reunions all over Ireland. The July 2013 newsletter of Ireland XO Reaching Out (Volume 2, Issue 7) has many interesting articles, including a piece on “The Landed Estates and Irish Society Seminar” held at the Moore Institute, NUI Galway in June; the opening of Ireland XO genealogy lectures at the National Library of Ireland in July; “Gathering the Tribes of Galway for the International Oyster & Seafood Festival” in September; the visit of CAROLINE KENNEDY to Bruff, County Limerick, the ancestral home of her FITZGERALD ancestors; an O’MALLEY family reunion in Murroe, County Limerick; the launching of Carlow XO “Free Genealogy and Local History Training;” and a list of new Parish Liaisons. For more information on Ireland Reaching Out, as well as to sign up to subscribe to the newsletter, go to [email protected].

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DNA STUDIES AT THE MIHC

The DNA genealogical studies at the Maine Irish Heritage Center continue to advance in varying degrees. The Family Tree Finder autosomal DNA test, which picks up genetic matches on both sides of the family, has dropped considerably in price, from $250 to $99 at last notice, and more and more people have joined the MIHC’s Maine Gaeltacht DNA Study. Also, more and more have taken the other available DNA tests, including Ancestry.com and 23andme. It is quite fascinating to compare the results of all three tests. And each company’s test reveals different information and various genealogical benefits. We will have an in-‐depth study of all three tests at some point, after the MIHC holds several DNA roundtables and a conference on DNA genealogy, which will be held probably sometime in early 2014. The MIHC continues to offer FamilyTree Finder autosomal tests at the Library. FMI, call 207-‐780-‐0118. Also, if you have certain questions on DNA genealogy, contact us at [email protected]. Margaret Feeney LaCombe is the administrator of the Maine Gaeltacht DNA study.


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OLD NEWSPAPER ITEMS

We have stressed many times over the last few years how important old newspaper articles are. Not including obituaries and marriage notices, there are many other items to be found in the local newspapers. This editor has been garnering items from the old Portland newspapers (mainly 1820s-‐1930s) since 1995 and has found a fascinating array of articles. These include articles on social events, crime, sports, businesses, church activities, St. Patrick’s Day events, and many other topics. Many of these have been transcribed and can be found at the Maine Irish Heritage Center. This editor is working on three Portland Irish histories, as well as the Maine Irish Heritage Trail, and eventually copies of all these articles discovered since 1995 will be deposited at the MIHC and the Maine Historical Society. They relate to a great many subjects and they do not just pertain to the Irish. Many articles are, unfortunately, discovered at random, but more and more old newspapers are going online and are being indexed. We recommend you search online to see what might be available in your area. Also, Ancestry.com and genealogybank.com. have thousands of articles indexed. Many articles will give hints to where to look for other articles on your family or where to look for relatives who were unknown previously. The “Personal” or “Social” pages of papers would often list an out-‐of-‐town visitor, often a relative, who was visiting relatives in that particular city.

Below, we list some items found in the “Personal” section of the Daily Eastern Argus of September 6, 1897 to give you some examples.

“P. A. Foley and P. J. McBrady of the Western Union telegraph force went to Boston Saturday night on the boat to spend Labor Day.

Mrs. Sullivan of New London, Conn., is the guest of Mrs. Peter Rowe, Munjoy hill.

Miss Nellie Connelly of Ashland, Mass. and Miss Margaret Kelley of Boston are visiting friends in Portland.

Miss Mary Galvin, who has been visiting Mrs. D. A. Donovan, 24 Salem street, has returned to her home in Chicago. Miss Galvin is a teacher in the public schools of her native city.

Mrs. T. J. Magner, accompanied by her sister, Miss Ida M. Carrigan, spent last Sunday night in Bangor.

Miss Frances Martin of Boston has been visting Miss Nan Griffin, Adams street.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Reddy are at Old Orchard for two weeks.”

One can see the intrinsic value of these items if more research is conducted on these people.


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NEWS FROM IRELAND

COUNTY DONEGAL

The Donegal County Council and the Donegal County Heritage Forum have joined with The Heritage Council to explore more of the emigration history of County Donegal people and what they carried with them when they left Ireland. According to the Irish Echo, “Accounts of emigrant experiences such as that of the Kennedys has further inspired JOSEPH GALLAGHER, Heritage Officer with Donegal County Council to find out more about what Donegal people took with them when they emigrated from Ireland.” These items may include family bibles, photographs, tools, household items, clothes, and religious artifacts. Gallagher stated that they are also interested in what traces of Donegal the emigrants left behind in their adopted homes, include Donegal place names on gravestones, the preservation of the Irish language, and if they built homes similar to the ones they left behind in Ireland.

If you have Donegal roots and would like to participate, contact the County Donegal Heritage Office at [email protected]. FMI, also see the heritage office at www.donegalcoco.ie/heritage.

Also, many Donegal families came to Canada and New England. If you have Donegal ancestry, contact us at [email protected].

COUNTY LAOIS

A mummified body found in a County Laois bog in 2011 has been found to date to 2000 BC, making it the oldest body found in a bog in the world. The 4000-‐year old remains predate the famous Egyptian pharaoh “King Tut,” or Tutankhamen, by seven hundred years.

This ancient Irishman is thought to have been killed in a ritual sacrifice, which is a common occurrence with bog people throughout Europe. He would have predated the Celtic peoples who came to Ireland by a thousand years or more.

The remains were found in a bog in the Cul na Mona bog in Laois in 2011 by a Bord na Mona worker using a milling machine.

According to the Irish Times, radiocarbon testing on the mummified remains, the peat surrounding the body, and a wooden stake found near the body date it to the early Bronze Age, about 2000 BC. This definitely must be one of our oldest Irish ancestors yet! It would be very fascinating to see the results of a DNA test on the body! No doubt some of his descendants or his family’s descendants must still be around!

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ON THE COVER

The photo on the cover is of an Irish American fireman from Portland, Maine. It was taken about 1890 and is another photo from the great collection of our member Anne O’Leary Hoye of Portland. Anne has two large photo albums of carte de visites of over a hundred Portland Irish people from the 1880s and 1890s and almost all of them are unidentified. They were part of the photographic collection of her grandaunt MARGARET BOYCE. It is hoped that someone will be able to indentify this gentleman, as well as eventually indentifying the other people in these albums. Periodically we will print these images. Please contact the editor at [email protected] if you know this old time Portland firefighter!

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An article from a Portland newspaper, date unknown, probably early 1950s. If anyone knows this family, please contact us. Thanks!


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Documents

The Downeast Shamrock