RootsChat.Com

Hi ,

  I had been researching through old newspapers and found an article about one of my relatives - here is an excerpt of article -

  F P Craugh, Associated Press operator at Citizen office, received word today of the death, in a field hospital of his cousin, Richard Craugh, a soldier in the French Army. Soldier was 26 yrs old. He was wounded in battle in France , Oct 20.

Now my questions are -

Does anyone know how to find records of soldiers in the French Army ?

Also, his last name would not be " Craugh " it would be McGrath. ( Family had changed the name when they came to America , but this soldiers family never came, they stayed in Ireland )

Any suggestions welcomed !

Thanks,
Megan

Hi ,

 I am wondering if anyone could freshen up this photo and date it if possible.
There is nothing on the back of the photo except glue marks as I think it might have been glued to a heavier cardstock.

The photo was taken in Ireland if that helps any.

Thank you,
Megan

Hi,

 I am trying to understand how and why my gg great grandfather would have changed his last name in Ireland.

Martin McGrath/Creagh b. in Co. Laois ,died in 1882 in Ballyraggett.

Martin married Anna Fry in Rathdowney, Co. Laois ( haven't found their marriage yet ) don't know if it would be under McGrath or Creagh.

Children of Martin and Anna -

John McGrath - b. Jan ,1856 in Co. Laois d. 10 Feb 1935 in Ballyragget ( I don't know if John's birth was registered under McGrath or Creagh but John stayed in Ireland and took over the family bakery on High St, Ballyragget when his father Martin died .)

James McGrath - no dates for him , married a Mary Bergin in Co. Laois and died in Co. Laois .  ( also don't know if his birth is registered as McGrath or Creagh )

[b]Elizabeth Craugh/Creagh OKeefe - b. Jun 1863 in Rathdowney, Co. Laois                                                        d. 3 Sep 1930 in Penn Yan, NY USA[/b]
(Elizabeth married a Patrick OKeefe from Rathdowney and immigrated to US)

[b]Richard J Craugh/Creagh - b. 13 Sep 1865 in Rathdowney, Co. Laois
                                                      d. 9 Jun 1941 in Penn Yan, NY USA[/b] (don't know how his birth was registered , but immigration and naturalization papers state last name as Craugh )

Michael P Creagh/Craugh - b. 18 Feb 1866 in Rathdowney,Co. Laois
                                            d. Circa 1900-05 in Iowa( Michael's birth is listed on IGI as Creagh , Immigration papers lists his name a Craugh )

Bridget Creagh - b. 1865 - found this one on IGI, she must have died soon after birth .

Martin Creagh/Craugh - b. 4 Jul 1868 on Bridge St, Mountmellick, Co. Laois
                                      d. 8 May 1935 in Penn Yan, NY USA
( Martin is listed on IGI as Creagh, birth cert. also says Creagh, ship manifest and immigration papers say Craugh. ) Martin married Anna OKeeffe in Co. Laois ?, they immigrated with their 1 year old child.

Kathleen McGrath/Craugh - b. 5 Dec 1872 in Rathdowney or Ballyragget
                                            d.  21 Oct 1933 in NYC ,NY USA
(Kathleen birth cert. say McGrath on it, she immigrated to US with her mother Anna Frye McGrath after Martin died. Immigration ship records lists them as McGrath's. But in Penn Yan where the rest of the family was living they changed name to Craugh.

Mary McGrath Creagh- b. Oct 1873 in Rathdowney or Ballyragget
                                    d. 13 Mar 1951 in Penn Yan, NY USA
( I am assuming since Kathleen's birth was registered under McGrath that Mary's must also be labeled under McGrath, although i couldn't find it in the IGI )

Can some please explain to me why the name change in Ireland. Would it have been for religious reasons ? They were all raised Catholics, but I am thinking that their mother , Anna Fry/e might not have been.

Anna Fry/e's parents were - Samuel Fry/e and Mary Prior of Rathdowney.

Sorry so long of a post , I just wanted to add everything I knew about them so someone could help me figure out the name changing.

Thank you,
Megan

Hi Everyone,

  This mass card was in a family members possession. I am posting this for anyone who is researching Rev. Stephen Bullard , who died 17 Oct 1957 in Bath St, Wicklow.

I hope this helps someone in their research.

Regards,
Megan