Hi John,
Thank you for your information. These Converys can be very troublesome. When I began my research, I nevery realized Convery was such a popular name in Gulladuff/Maghera; and they all seemed to give suceeding generations of their children the same names. The biggest difficulty is the sheer number of Converys in Rocktown. It is always more difficult sorting out families when there are many, as opposed to just a few.
My answers to your questions are below:
(A) Did any branch of your family move to the United States? Yes, Charles Convery, my great grandfather moved to the United States around 1892. He settled in Paterson, New Jersey (Paterson, New Jerrsey is known as "Silk City"; by 1870, nearly fifty percent of the silk made in the United States was produced in the silk mills in Paterson). Charles married Winifred Long, from Galway, Ireland, in Paterson, New Jersey, on 27 NOV 1895; they had four children together - Francis Joseph (1897); William John (1898); Charles Aloysius (1902); and my grandmother, Winifred (1912). Charles died on 18 SEPT 1914 in Paterson, New Jersey. I believe Patrick Convery moved to the United States; but I do not have supporting documentation.
(B) Do the surnames Crilly/McKenna/Lagan appear anywhere in your family? Yes, I've attached Parish Birth Certificates from Maghera Roman Catholic Church for each of the children born to John Convery and Sarah Lagan between 1854 and 1869; there is a Lagan as a witness to almost every birth. Francis Lagan and Thomas McClernon were witnesses at the marriage of John Convery and Sara Lagan on 08 SEPT 1853; copy also attached. James McKenna, Andy Convery and Mary McPeak were witnesses at the marriage of Arthur Young and Ann Convery on 29 DEC 1864; copy also attached.
(C) Perhaps you might list some descendants of John M. Convery, it might be possible to identify the family in more recent times. I've attached a copy of the 1901 Irish Census showing William James Convery living with his brother, John Convery; both are not married.
(D) Don't suppose you know your Convery family nickname. Don't know my family's nickname.
Robert Henry Convery - Attached is supporting documentation for Robert Henry, which include a copy of Robert's civil birth record indicating his parents, John and Sara are from Rocktown. Robert Henry is the only child of Charles and Sarah who did not have a Lavey Parish record. This led me to believe Robert Henry may be the son of another John and Sarah Convery. However, I found additional information on Ancestry.com, which confirms Robert Henry is the son of John and Sarah Convery of Rocktown. Line 11 of the Philadelphia Passenger List (page 2), dated October 6, 1894, indicates Robert Henry Convery arrived in the United States to visit his brother, Charles (my great grandfather), in Paterson, New Jersey. Robert lists his current residence as Knockloughlin.
I've also attached a copy of the Marriage Certificate for Thomas Convery and Ann Lagan; witnesses were Thomas McClernon and Bernard McKeown. Thomas McClernon could be the same person who is a witness to the marriage of John Convery and Sarah Lagan.
Let me know your thought; additional attachments will follow separately.
Caren Convery