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I've recently seen my grandparents marriage certificate from September 1925 and Martin Connor, my great grandad is listed as deceased. So he must have passed away sometime between 1911 and 1925.

I would be grateful if anyone has any more information.

Thanks

Brendan 

Hi Teresa

I've been researching the Gibbons family for a couple of years, but I didn't know about the Tolan family connection, until I read the article in the Parke/Turlough 100 year history book, which was released a couple of years ago. You may have already seen it, but there's a whole page about the Tolan's in Rockfield with photos and their history. It says that Michael Gibbons from Ballyart bought land in Rockfield in the 1860s. I don't have a copy of the book, but it does say who Michael bought the land from.

After reading this, I wondered who Michael was, as there were 3 Gibbons families in Ballyart in the 1850s. I found his marriage to Mary Quinn at Mayo Ancestors.com in 1868, which confirms he was from Ballyart. It also gives his father's name on the wedding certificate.........Michael Gibbons.....my great great grandad.

We are 3rd cousins. Your great grandad Michael and my great grandad Anthony were brothers. Their parents were Michael and Julia Gibbons. Your great grandad would have left Ballyart in the 1860s, while my great grandad Anthony took over the farm. He married Mary Walsh in 1878.

Our great great grandad Michael Gibbons died in Ballyart in 1896 at the age of 80. The informant was his daughter-in- law Mary Walsh.

Our great great granny Julia Gibbons died in 1881 aged 85, according to her death certificate. It says her husband Michael was the informant. This would mean she was born around 1796, however this is impossible, as her daughter Mary was born in 1853. She was probably around 60 when she died, and the wrong age is on the certificate.

The story passed down is that our great great grandad Michael was a bachelor living in Ballyart, and he employed a young girl, Julia, from the workhouse in Castlebar to cook and clean for him......and they got married !! We don't know Julia's maiden name or where she came from. Michael was known as Michael Mor (Big Michael.)

The Castlebar workhouse opened in 1842, so it's possible Julia could have lived there briefly before moving to Ballyart. Maybe your great grandad Michael was born around 1843-1844, as the census records are not always accurate ?

We'll never know if the story about Julia coming from the workhouse is true, but it looks like it is. Comparing passed down stories with birth/marriage/death records and it all matches up.

The parish records in Parke/Turlough began in 1848. My great grandad Anthony and his sister Mary were born in 1850 and 1853. Michael and Julia are listed as their parents. Your great grandad Michael and Patrick (who married Julia Kerins from Lower Cashel) were born in the early 1840s, so there are no birth records available for them. I have marriage records of Michael to Mary Quinn and Patrick to Julia Kerins which prove they came from Ballyart.

There are 2 Gibbons families in Rockfield in the 1901 and 1911 censuses headed by your great grandad Michael and John. Were they brothers ? If so, this would prove John was a 5th child of Michael and Julia.

I have a marriage record of John to Kitty McHugh in 1869 which says he is the son of Michael Gibbons. However, it doesn't give Michaels address. Anthony Gibbons was one of the witnesses - my great grandad and your great uncle.

I am also related to the Howleys. Where was your grandma from ?

We dont know how or when the Gibbons families came to be in Ballyart, and I haven't heard of a Westport link. Ballyart is about 2 miles from Rockfield. The Tolan family seemed to know a lot according to the book. I'd be grateful for any information.

If you send me your e-mail address via the inbox I can send you certificates, etc.


All the best


Brendan




 

Hi SMoran1. I've found out more information since I last posted on here. Who are you related to ?

Thanks Heywood.

You're right, Martin and Bridget's ages are innaccurate in 1911. He would have been about 51 as I have a copy of his baptism record from 1860. Its very likely he was a seasonal worker in England.

I have an uncle and aunt who I will speak to again as it seems more likely that he would have been buried in Ireland, but there is no record anywhere.


Brendan