Sunday, January 17, 2016

Michael Mahony of Toughbaun, Drinagh

There's nothing like a good news clipping to push the genealogy research in a different, hopefully more constructive direction. Such is the case of Michael Mahony of Toughbawn. The Southern Star published a death notice of "centenarian" Michael Mahony of Toughbawn, Drinagh, on February 10, 1940.

The sources in the prior post, plus the funeral announcement, helped put together this information:

Married Ann (Mary?) Sullivan 24 Feb 1870 in Kilmacabea & Kilfaughnabeg R.C. Parish. Michael's father's name was recorded as Michael.
1871 Honora
1872 Michael John (M.J.), went to Kilorglin, Co Kerry
1874 James
1876 Daniel
1878 Stephen
1880 Mary Ann
A son Timothy went to Manchester.

Michael the centenarian was from Buddrimeen, Ballineen and was one of six boys. They were among the Mahony branch of the Cain O'Mahonys. If there is a death record in civil registration, it is puzzling. The entry for a 98 year old Michael O'Mahony in the Skibbereen district is dated Q1 1939. Why are the death record and the funeral announcement a year apart?

There is a Michael Mahony, son of a Michael Mahony and Anne Hennessy of Buddrimeen, baptized in Dunmanway on or after Feb 6, 1842.

The problem is - it's very difficult trying to find five brothers. There are other records with a matriarch Honora Hennessy. Perhaps Ann was her nickname. Or, perhaps Honora died and Michael the patriarch married Ann.

The earlier family with Honora Hennessy was:

1836 Sep 14 Michael

1838 Jun 29 Peter

1840 Apr 07 Timothy

Then a Jeremiah Mahony was baptized 11 Feb 1846, son of a Nancy Crowley. Another son to Nancy Crowley, James, was baptized 23 Jun 1850.

Even if Ann/Honora Hennessy died after 1842 and Nancy Crowley was a second wife, a reasonable assumption is that 1836 Michael died during childhood, hence Michael in 1842. That still leaves one more brother to account for.

Neither the Toughbaun family nor the Buddrimeen family have a member named Cain (Kean) as far as I know.

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