Fitzgerald family, Portumna, Galway

[samanthac]

Hello

I am seeking any information on my great grandparents Martin and his wife Eleanor

children are

Michael Frances
Joseph
Mary Delia
John Patrick
Eleanor Florence
James (my grandfather)
Francis

I have info from the irish censes, but any other knowledge or leads would be great.

[shanew147]

It's a good idea to add a bit more detail about what you know and what you are looking for - e.g. include a link to the census returns, or details of ages or years of birth, also details on which certs you have already..etc..


Shane

[samanthac]

Good idea Shane . See below as per the censes 1911.  I have no certificates at the mo.

Fitzgerald   Martin   59   Male   Head of Family   Catholic
Fitzgerald   Ellie   36   Female   Wife   Catholic
Fitzgerald   Michael Francis   13   Male   Son   Catholic
Fitzgerald   Joseph   12   Male   Son   Catholic
Fitzgerald   Mary Delia   10   Female   Daughter   Catholic
Fitzgerald   John Patrick   9   Male   Son   Catholic
Fitzgerald   Eleanor Florence   6   Female   Daughter   Catholic
Fitzgerald   James   4   Male   Son   Catholic
Fitzgerald   Francis   2   Male   Son   Catholic

[shanew147]

Assuming they were in the same area before 1901, then the best birth match I've seen on the BMD Index is for the eldest child in the family :

  Name: Michael Francis Fitzgerald
  Registration district: Portumna
  Event type: Birth
  Quarter and year: Jul-Sep 1897
  Volume: 4 / Page: 330

his birth cert might be a good place to start as it would show Ellie's maiden name..

for reference : 1911 Census, all born Co. Galway, Martin and Ellie married 14 years, so c1897

Have you found the family on the 1901 census ?
Found them : same townland (Ballynabeskeragh) as 1911 - 1901 Census
Martin's age is a little bit inconsistent.. 42 in 1901, 59 in 1911


Shane

[samanthac]

Thank you.  I need to get a list together of what I need to do.

Is the BMD index the Mormon site?

[shanew147]

Thank you.  I need to get a list together of what I need to do.

Is the BMD index the Mormon site?

yes, the FamilySearch website - there's a link to the latest version of the Index in the Introduction Topic - Irish BMD Index



Shane

[walten]

This is post from the 1911 census is of great interest to me as my great greatparents were from Portumna and were named Martin and Ellie.  I have the birth certificate of my grandfather, John Patrick, who was born in 1902.  It would appear consistent with the John Fitzgerald in this posting.  I would be interested to communicate to samanthac to see what more she has found.   

Fitzgerald   Martin   59   Male   Head of Family   Catholic
Fitzgerald   Ellie   36   Female   Wife   Catholic
Fitzgerald   Michael Francis   13   Male   Son   Catholic
Fitzgerald   Joseph   12   Male   Son   Catholic
Fitzgerald   Mary Delia   10   Female   Daughter   Catholic
Fitzgerald   John Patrick   9   Male   Son   Catholic
Fitzgerald   Eleanor Florence   6   Female   Daughter   Catholic
Fitzgerald   James   4   Male   Son   Catholic
Fitzgerald   Francis   2   Male   Son   Catholic

[samanthac]

Hi Walten

Thank you for posting.  So it appears that our grandfathers were brothers.  I'll be honest that I have not done much over recent months with my family tree but would be more than happy to share with you what I have.   Interestingly I believe that the Fitsgerald's still occupy the farm in Galway.  Did your grandfather stay in Ireland?

Regards

Sam

[walten]

Hi Sam,

Thanks for the quick response.  And please call me Kurt.  This is REALLY interesting.  And yes, it appears our grandfathers were brothers. 

My grandfather came to New York and settled in Brooklyn.  I believe at least one of this brothers (James?) also came to New York and at least one of his sisters.  We actually have a trip planned for Ireland and I hope to take my wife and three boys to the area where my grandfather grew up.  I went there as a teenagers with my parents, my sister and my grandfather.   My grandfather pointed out the house in which he grew up, but we never visited the house.  Later, my aunt and uncle visited the house and I believe one of my grandfather's nephews owned it at that point. It's interesting to hear that you believe the farm is still owned by a Fitzgerald.

If you are comfortable with sharing, what was the name of your grandfather?

Kurt