McMahons from Meath

[janeturnpenny]

Hi, I am trying to find out some more information on a McMahon family from co Meath.

The furthest back I currently have is Peter McMahon born 1846.  In the 1901 census he was living with his son, John along with other members of another family in Shancannon.

In the 1911 census, John (born 1879) had married Sophie Lawlor (born 1878 in Kildare) and they lived with their 5 children, Bridget (born 1902), Peter (born 1903), Michael (born 1905), John (born 1908) and Annie (born 1910) in Moynalty, Meath.

Is it unrealistic to expect to find out anything further, or could anyone let me know where would be a good place to carry on my research.


Many thanks

[shanew147]

To search for earlier details on Peter you  would have to check for baptism records, since his birth is before the start of civil records. It might be worth working back step by step to gather further clues first - i.e. John's birth, Peter's marriage etc
Do you think your Mc Mahon family originated in the same area as they are listed on the 1901 census ?

see : Introduction to Irish Records

have you a marriage cert for John and Sophia ?
This would give you further details to follow up on both families.
see: Details included on a Marriage Cert

census returns for reference : 1901 - 1911


Shane

[janeturnpenny]

Hi, thanks for your help re this.  Yes, I think family originated from the same area. The 1901 census says that Peter (born 1846 was born in Meath) and that Peter and his son John (born 1879) were both farm workers and living at the Irwin family farm in Shancarnan. 

I can't find any marriage certificate at all for John and Sophie or Sophia but from the 1911 census it says they had been married for 10 years.

I will follow up your leads as mentioned - thanks for your help


Jane

[shanew147]

here's a possible marriage match from the BMD Index :

  Name: Sophia Lawlor
  Registration district:   Kells
  Event type: Marriage
  Quarter and year: Apr-Jun 1901
  Volume: 2 / Page: 736

  Name: John M'Mahon
  [same index references as Sophia]

see :

  Ordering Certs from GRO Roscommon

  Details included on a Marriage Cert


Shane

[shanew147]

I think this may be Sophia on the 1901 census, working as a servant and living in Moynalty :

  Singleton household


Shane

[janeturnpenny]

Yes, looks like this is sophia.  Thank you for the marriage details too. 

Many thanks for your time


Jane

[johnjensen]

From www.familysearch.org here is what looks like John's birth.  On Google Maps Billywood appears to be within 1.5 miles of Shancannan/Shancarnan.  This is in Moynalty RC parish and the baptism is akso on www.rootsireland.ie

name:   John Mcmahon
gender:   Male
baptism/christening date:   
baptism/christening place:   
birth date:   01 Mar 1880
birthplace:   Billywood, Meath & Cavan, Ireland
father's name:   Peter Mcmahon
mother's name:   Bridget Daly Mcmahon

The marriage of Peter and Bridget in 1876 is also on www.rootsireland.ie, in Moynalty RC parish.

[patbermo]

I’ve just come upon your query on the McMahons of Shancarnan and I can tell you that Sophia McMahon (Lawlor) was my grand aunt. I spent holidays as a child in Shancarnan.

I can send you a family tree of the Lawlors if you wish.