Gaffney - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: ROSCOMMON Gaffneys, 1815-1845

JFGafney — 2012-05-14 22:59:06Z

I have a James Henry Gaffney 1828 Roscommon, Connaught, Ireland. Died in Illinois.

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

Edward_Gaffney — 2012-05-13 18:56:47Z

Cheryl - have not found any information so far about the Gaffney side of your family in the LDS Vital Records Index for the British Isles. However the improved LDS site on the internet does give a lot of information on Lynch and Doran families in the Methuen area of MA - probably you are already aware of this. I did clip and paste some of this for you as is shown below - hope this helps a little. Note there is a Mary Lynch who died in Lawrence MA in 1875 who's parents are given as Margaret and Peter Goffney - age given was 39 but could be a relative.

"United States Census, 1880," Patrick Doran, Methuen, Essex, Massachusetts
No image available
Name: Patrick Doran
Residence: Methuen, Essex, Massachusetts
Birthdate: 1844
Birthplace: Ireland
Relationship to Head: Self
Spouse's Name: Catherine Doran
Spouse's Birthplace: Ireland
Father's Name:
Father's Birthplace: Ireland
Mother's Name:
Mother's Birthplace: Ireland
Race or Color (Expanded): White
Ethnicity (Standardized): American
Gender: Male
Martial Status: Married
Age (Expanded): 36 years
Occupation: Mule Spinner
NARA Film Number: T9-0528
Page: 211
Page Character: B
Entry Number: 2526
Film number: 1254528
Household Gender Age
Patrick Doran M 36
Spouse Catherine Doran
F 38
Child Thomas Doran
M 13
Child Hugh Doran
M 11
Child Mary J. Doran
F 8
Child Elizabeth Doran
F 6
Child Patrick Doran
M 4
Child Catherine Doran
F 2

"Massachusetts, Deaths, 1841-1915," Patrick Doran, 1908

Name: Patrick Doran

Event: Death
Event Date: 14 Jan 1908
Event Place: Lawrence,,Massachusetts

Street Address:
Gender: Male
Age:
Marital Married

Birthplace: Ireland

Father: Hugh Doran

"Massachusetts, Deaths, 1841-1915," Ellen Lynch, 1910

Name: Ellen Lynch

Event: Death
Event Date: 29 Oct 1910
Event Place: Lawrence,,Massachusetts

Gender: Female
Age:
Marital Status: Widowed
Occupation:

Birthplace: Ireland
Estimated Birth Year:

Father: John Lynch

Mother: Mary Gaffney

Spouse: James Lynch

"Massachusetts, Deaths, 1841-1915," Mary Lynch, 1875

Name: Mary Lynch
Titles & Terms:
Event: Death
Event Date: 02 Mar 1875
Event Place: Lawrence, Massachusetts
Residence: Lawrence, Mass.
Street Address:
Gender: Female
Age: 39
Marital Status: Married
Occupation:
Birth Date:
Birthplace: Ireland
Estimated Birth Year: 1836

Father: Peter

Father's Birthplace: Ireland
Mother: Margaret Goffney

Mother's Birthplace: Ireland

Film Number: 960207
Buried 31 October 1910 Immaculate Conception

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

Edward_Gaffney — 2012-05-11 17:23:03Z

Ann,

Yes there is a lot of confusion with the many Gaffney families in this area in the 1800's. Looked through all of my bits and pieces and found that a Thady Gaffney married a Mary Muldowny in Cootehall on 1 Feb 1880 - his parents were given as Thady Gaffney and Bridget Davy.

Also 12 years or so ago I had a note from another researcher who was talking about Gaffneys from Derrynine. He said "one of the men was in the US and went back to Ireland. He had a store on the road (I believe) from
Derrynine to Ballyfarnon, not far from Keadue. He and the family had the store for many years. Other Gaffneys of this family who left Ireland went to Worcester, MA".

Hope that helps a little!

Ed Gaffney

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

anngaffney1 — 2012-05-08 12:19:21Z

ed, here is some recent information:
Thadeus owen gaffney (Roscommon) married catherine Mcmanus (geevagh) and they were both born late 1780, THen the information gets cloudy as it says their kids are stephen joseph (?c1820), patrick (supposedly my gr gfather but maybe too old, so am querying the dates), thady, john, james, beezy, and 3 others. stephen joseph married mary bohan and they had thomas (born 1835 so looks like he was 15 when he had a child and died in Maine in 1898), patrick, catherine, michael (who married margaret gaffney, a cousin), maria, john and denis. Looks like children born in Keadue (stephen josephs children, that is). Thadeus set up the first country store which was highly successful . The Michael gaffney above was attacked by british soldiers whilst working on a sick cow in his barn at night and they thought there was an IRA meeting so they beat him up and he died of these injuries. HIs wife (cousin) was pregnant with a james michael gaffney born 1890

Re: ROSCOMMON Gaffneys, 1815-1845

anngaffney1 — 2012-05-08 11:42:10Z

there is a james gaffney, son of Thadeus owen gaffney (roscommon) and catherine macmanus (geevagh) who was born in the 1820s, but NOT specifically 1820 as he has a brother born that year. THese are my ancestors. siblings are stephen joseph, patrick, thady, Beezy and 3 others whose names I dont know.

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

cdgirard — 2012-05-07 15:27:35Z

My 2nd great grandmother was Mary Gaffney born about 1802 in Coothall Parish, Roscommon. She married John or Thomas Lynch in Roscommon unknown date. Her daughter, Catherine Lynch, was my great-grandmother. She had numerous children: Patrick, John, Ellen, Thomas, Bessie & Ann all born Ireland and immigrated with her. Source: Boston Pilot-Missing Friends
Immigrated in mid-late 1860s first to Stalybridge, England and then on to Lawrence, Essex County, Massachusetts USA where she died sometime after 1870. I have not been able to find much information about her other than what was written down by my great-grandfather Patrick Doran before his death in 1906 in Methuen, Mass, USA
Would be grateful for any information or direction. Thank you.
Cheryl Doran-Girard (doran-girard@sbcglobal.net)

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

anngaffney1 — 2012-05-06 11:14:13Z

CORRECTION: that should read thadeus, not patrick

Re: ROSCOMMON Gaffneys, 1815-1845

anngaffney1 — 2012-05-06 11:10:59Z

there is a JOhn Gaffney, 4th child of THadeus Owen Gaffney (born 1780) and Catherine McManus (born 1780) in roscommon. Thadeus and Catherine are my great great grparents. THe eldest child of this marriage, stephen Joseph, was born 1820 and so it is feasible that the fourth child could have been born in 1828?The second child, Patrick, is my great gfather.He married ann mcgovern

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

Edward_Gaffney — 2012-04-25 18:14:06Z

Anne here is some info on Gaffneys from Bolarry obtained from various sources. Note also that the Griffiths evaluation of the 1850's showed a Patrick Gaffney in Bolarry.

Residents of a house 2 in Bolarry (Aghafin, Roscommon) 1901 Census
Show all information
Surname Forename Age Sex Relation to head Religion Birthplace Occupation Literacy Irish Language Marital Status Specified Illnesses
Mc Cormack John 74 Male Head of Family Roman Catholic Co Roscommon Farmer Cannot read Irish English Widower -
Gaffney Patt 41 Male Son in Law Roman Catholic Co Roscommon Farmer Can read write - Married -
Gaffney Catherin 32 Female Daughter Roman Catholic Co Roscommon House-Keeper Can read write - Married -
Gaffney Mary A 7 Female Grand Daughter Roman Catholic Co Roscommon Scholar Read - Not Married -
Gaffney Kate 5 Female Grand Daughter Roman Catholic Co Roscommon Scholar Cannot read - Not Married -
Gaffney Maggie 3 Female Grand Daughter Roman Catholic Co Roscommon - Cannot read - Not Married -
Gaffney Patrick 1 Male Grand Son Roman Catholic

Ellis Island Records arriving 6 April 1912 Baltic from Liverpool sailed 28 March
Maggie Gaffney 14 yrs 10 months
Katie Gaffney 16 years 4 months
Accompanied by uncle Mr McCormick 10 Rixley St Utica NY

Residents of a house 1 in Bolarry (Aghafin, Roscommon)
Show all information
Surname Forename Age Sex Relation to head Religion Birthplace Occupation Literacy Irish Language Marital Status Specified Illnesses
Gaffney Terrence 48 Male Head of Family Roman Catholic Co Roscommon Farmer Read and write - Married -
Gaffney Anne 42 Female Wife Roman Catholic Co Roscommon - Read and write - Married -
Tierney Thomas 16 Male Servant Roman Catholic

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

anngaffney1 — 2012-04-22 01:50:44Z

My great great gfather Pat Gaffney hailed from Bolarry area and married McManus hailing from Geevagh

Daniel Gaffney -- b. 1870 N.B. Canada

paulgaffney65 — 2012-04-18 17:20:39Z

Hello, I am looking for information on a Daniel Gaffney born in 1870 in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada. His mother is Mary McQuade/ McQuaid born 1841.
Some documents say Mary was born in Nova Scotia, and a few say New Brunswick. Every document says Daniel Gaffney was born in New Brunswick, but I have no documents from Canada. I know Mary was married (i'm assuming a second time) to a Jordan Lee in 1876 (NY?) but Daniel A Gaffney is said to have arrived in Canada in either 1886 or 1889. The first census I have confirmed of either Daniel Gaffney or Mary McQuade was in 1900 in Walpole, Massachussetts. I know his life from that time on, but any information prior would be great. Especially from Canada or a confirmation of Mary's parent's names. Someone mentioned they were Mary Gallagher and John McQuade, but I would like a second document, other than Mary's death record, to confirm. Does anyone have any info on any McQuades or Gaffneys in Canada from around this time period? I have one document which says Daniel's father was also Daniel Gaffney from Canada England.

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

anngaffney1 — 2012-04-15 10:29:39Z

I have sent you an email on the address you gave about pat action gaffney.

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

Edward_Gaffney — 2012-04-12 14:30:55Z

Thanks Ann,
Since we last "spoke" I found some further information from the upgraded LDS site which takes me back a further generation on Pat "Action's" side. One of Action's sisters Sarah immigrated to the USA I think around the time of the first Potato Famine (1840's). I found that she died in Springfield MA on 26 October 1902 - this date corresponds exactly with a letter written by Pat Action in 1902. According to the info. given by the LDS site she was the widow of a Peter McLaughlin and her parents were Patrick Gaffney and Mary Rohan. Sarah was born in approx. 1822 and Pat Action in approx. 1834. I know that Pat Action was born in Roscommon - his farm was in Derreeenavicara townland which is in Kilronan Parish. However other close relatives were in Breanletter townland in Arcarn Parish which is immediately adjacent to Derreenavicara but is on the opposite side of the Feorish stream. Both townlands are close to the village of Keadue in north Roscommon. From Keadue both Sligo and Leitrim are within walking distance.
Hope this helps

Ed. Gaffney

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

anngaffney1 — 2012-04-12 05:23:20Z

I still havent spoken with my father. My brother is in IReland at present and I have asked him to get more information. I will post when I found out just who is Pat Action in our family tree.

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

Edward_Gaffney — 2012-04-03 21:01:03Z

Hi again Ann,

Have just discovered information from the updated LDS web site which shows that my great great grandparents (Pat "Action" Gaffney's parents) were Patrick Gaffney and Mary Rohan. After many years of searching I found an entry for the death of Sarah Goffney McLaughlin on 26 October 1902 at age 80 in Springfield MA. Sarah was one of the sisters of Pat Action. This death date as shown in the LDS website is confirmed from a letter Pat Action wrote to one of his daughters in 1902. This information was new to me - does it tie in with anything you have?

Re: John J Gaffney

keltonbrian1 — 2012-03-28 15:45:01Z

Thank you!. The Keadue helped some because on John J's WW1 card it is Keadne and I could not find that anywhere. So that gives me another spot to look also.

Re: John J Gaffney

rlapointe2 — 2012-03-28 13:54:02Z

I've been assisting my wife's best friend in her search for her Irish ancestor- Michael Gaffney. Michael was born in Cty.Roscommon circa 1854. He emigrated to the US through Canada (still looking for the specifics.) Michael married Mollie (?) Mathieu (Mayhew/Matthews) - not sure where/when. They lived in Worcester,MA. and had three children.(Check US Census records for 1870+1880)
My wife's friend and her brother went to Ireland three years ago, and did some research. They narrowed the location of Michael Gaffney's place of origin to the Keadue/ Cooteshall/Arigna area. There are SEVERAL Michael Gaffney's in that area during that time frame, and MANY had brothers/uncles/father named Patrick...) Will keep you posted if we get lucky...

Roland Lapointe
lapoint@verizon.net

John J Gaffney

keltonbrian1 — 2012-03-27 18:07:07Z

My great grandfather was John J Gaffney and Helen Quinn. I believe John's father was Patrick Gaffney and they were from Rosecommon. If anyone has any information etc I would greatly appreciate it.

Gaffney, William J.

jkroesen1 — 2012-03-13 18:53:22Z

I am looking for a William J. Gaffney last known residing at 4073 Madison Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, Canada from at least 1995 up to 1997. All help is appreciated. John

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

anngaffney1 — 2012-02-06 10:01:13Z

I will message you on the listed email address

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

rlapointe2 — 2012-02-06 01:24:05Z

My wife has been assisting her best friend to search for the place of origin of her best friend's gr-grandfather, Michael Gaffney (b. abt 1840 in Cty Roscommon.) My wife's friend recently went to Ireland on a vacation. She searched the section of Roscommon where her ancestor supposedly originated. She's got it narrowed down to Arigna, Keadue, or Coothill. I sense that these three locales are quite close together. Locating records yielded no specifics.
I'm not sure how Michael Gaffney came to the US, but I do find him in the 1870 US Federal Census in Worcester,MA. He is listed as a woolen mill worker; age 30. He is married to a Maria/Margaret/Mariah Mathews (Mahew/Mathieu).(No place or date of marriage). In 1870, they have 3 children. My wife's friend is descended from Michael's daughter, Molly (Mary A)Gaffney, b. 15 April 1865 in Worcester,MA.
I'm fairly certain that your ancestors are connected, any idea how ? Please advise...

Roland Lapointe
lapoint@verizon.net

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

Edward_Gaffney — 2012-02-04 15:38:17Z

Hi Anne,
You and I are related - Pat "Action" was my great grandfather and Thady was one of his brothers. If you care to contact me directly we can exchange information. My e-mail address is edwardgaffney@verizon.net
I live in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania but was born in Hamilton, Scotland.

Ed Gaffney

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

anngaffney1 — 2012-02-04 11:58:50Z

my father (patrick gaffney) has given me some more info, there is someone nicknamed "action" or "pat action" gaffney in our tree. NOt sure if its my fathers gfather, but the latter had brother called Thady., plus 10 more siblings includeing James. The girls married into the Lenihan, Devine and Quinn families. My fathers great gfather was called Thady Gaffney, born around Keadue/arigna area (on the road from Keadue to Arigna). He built a house in Gowell. Ran a store. was a stonemason. He made money and bought his sons farms and gave his daughters dowries. I have been to some of these places. Pat Gaffney was on Carrick co council . Dont know if this is the "action" man. There are records there of his membership. He was a bit of a poet, I have a copy of a poem he wrote.

Re: ROSCOMMON Gaffneys, 1815-1845

wilso127 — 2012-01-14 17:38:11Z

Check your County Map of Ireland. Boyle is a town in the northwest corner of County Roscommon, just a mile or so east of the county's border with County Sligo. I believe that my Gaffneys lived just across the county line in Sligo, near or in the hamlets of Mountgaffeny and/or Aghanagh. Both are just off the highway that runs west from Boyle to the City of Sligo.

Re: ROSCOMMON Gaffneys, 1815-1845

JFGafney — 2012-01-14 16:19:55Z

Thanks for the reply, but sorry for my ignorance, who or what is Boyle?

Re: ROSCOMMON Gaffneys, 1815-1845

wilso127 — 2012-01-14 02:41:25Z

I would definitelt begin with trying to find out what baptismal records that Boyle might be keeping for anyone with the name. Such records would probably have John's name in its Latinized name. My James is recorded as being "Jacobus". Failing that, try to find out in what institutions erlsewhere in Roscommon might be keeping such records...either religious or municipal. But keep in mind that there were many masny Gaffney families in County Roscommon back the and perhaps even today.

Re: ROSCOMMON Gaffneys, 1815-1845

JFGafney — 2012-01-14 01:01:50Z

Great information! I am trying to track down the origins of John Gaffny born 1828 in Roscommon, Connaught, Ireland. He appears in an 1860 census in Barre, MA.

Re: Adam & Catherine (Foley) GAFFNEY

Danny_Gaffney — 2012-01-13 14:08:27Z

Thank you again.....

I have actually have been on that website....you are absolutely right you do need patience....still can't find any listing for Adam and his family.....oh well will keep on looking.....

Re: Adam & Catherine (Foley) GAFFNEY

elcalabrese — 2012-01-13 14:07:58Z

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca

try this website. it's not searchable by name and the earliest records seem to be from 1865. you may have some luck here if you're a little patient.

good luck with your search.

Re: Adam & Catherine (Foley) GAFFNEY

elcalabrese — 2012-01-13 14:07:35Z

I did a brief internet search and it looks like the Canadian library system has microfilms of ship manifests but they aren't available on line. I'll keep looking around though.

Re: Adam & Catherine (Foley) GAFFNEY

Danny_Gaffney — 2012-01-13 14:07:15Z

Yes that is my Great Great Grandfather. I have that information. However I believe they came to Canada earlier and settled in Montreal for a few years before moving to Ontario for Adam(who was a stone mason) to work on the Parliament Buildings.
Thank you for your reply. Hope to hear from you soon.

Re: Adam & Catherine (Foley) GAFFNEY

elcalabrese — 2012-01-13 14:07:00Z

They were in Ontario according to the 1871 Canadian Census. He is listed with his wife and 9 children. He was Catholic working as a laborer. Is this the right Adam?

Adam & Catherine (Foley) GAFFNEY -- Immigration Year?

Danny_Gaffney — 2012-01-07 14:30:16Z

I am trying to find out the exact year my family immigrated from Ireland. My GG Grandfather Adam along with his wife Catherine(nee Foley) and their children James, Mary, Anthony and Lawrence they were from County Wexford. I want to say around 1866-67 but I can't find any documentation to prove it. The family originally arrived in Montreal, Quebec and then settled in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Any help would be appreciated.

John & Mary (Murray) GAFFNEY -- Scotland/Ireland

duker90 — 2012-01-07 14:29:23Z

1881 cencus family living in shettlaston ,father john mother mary nee murray,some grandchildren emigrated to usa ,canada and australia,joseph born 1910 emigrated 1928 to canada

Re: John Gaffney

aaevans1 — 2012-01-03 15:23:48Z

Sorry but I do not find any connection with my ancestors. They apparently lived in New York State after they immigrated from Ireland in about 1892.

Re: John Gaffney

jamiegasaway — 2012-01-02 22:43:59Z

The John Gaffney I am researching was born in Wisconsin. His parents were from Germany. He had a brother named Andy from Chicago and a brother Frand from Racine Wisconsin. Also a sister Regina Verdrine of Chicago.

Re: John Gaffney

aaevans1 — 2011-12-26 14:21:19Z

Would enjoy discussing our family's similarities. Do yours have the same names in the family?

Re: John Murphy

larrylmurphy — 2011-12-26 14:20:54Z

Your Family Tree has information that is the same as mine on the John D Murphy family could you please contact me at larrylmurphy@cox.net I would like to discuss this connection

Re: John Gaffney

2011-12-26 14:20:23Z

I would also be interested in any Gaffney pictures also information .I have John Gaffney married to Julia
there children are Mary b 1873, Felix b 1875, Ann b 1876, Hugh b 1877, Bridget b 1880 ,Catherine b 1883
and John.Sheila

John & Bridget (Quinn) Gaffney

2011-12-26 14:19:44Z

Alice and Maureen,
I'm not sure which Gaffneys you are researching, but my Gaffney family lived in Milwaukee, WI and later Conneaut, OH. John Gaffney (b. abt 1835 in Ireland) and his wife, Bridget Quinn Gaffney (b. abt. 1840 in Ireland), owned the Gaffney House, a boarding house where many of the the Nickel Plate Railroad workers rented rooms. They had 10 children: Mary Jane (my great-grandmother, who married Thomas McGinnis), Margaret, Elizabeth, Delia, Frances, John Patrick, Agnes, Tommy, Clara, and Edward. Some of the family later moved to Cleveland, others to Chicago. If your Gaffneys are related to these, I'd love to see the pictures, too, as well as learn any other information on them. I also have some pictures and other information that I would be happy to share, if anyone is interested.

Linda Tully

Re: William Gaffney of Ballinahinch, County Wicklow 1759 - 1845

te1514 — 2011-12-08 18:33:46Z

Thanks, Mark. I will forward you what I have on e-file.
I live in Eastern Ct, in Waterford, close to New London, and I work in Old Lyme, at the Florence Griswold Museum. I landed here after 20 years in the Submarine Service. There is a major sub base in Groton nearby.

I was last out to Churdan, IA for the funeral of my mother's oldest sister, Madonna Rose (Carey) Hunt in April,2010. It was nice to see so many relatives. There still is Carey land being farmed as well as my mother's cousins the Shoemakers, Minihan's, Monaghan's and Gingery's...as well as Ryans, Burke's, Wallace's and Cavanaugh's.

You must have been to St. Patrick's at Cedar? Where Old Pat is buried? a beautiful church and site. That is where they buried Aunt Donna.

Most of my brothers and sisters have scattered beyond the post-industrial malaise that is Central NY. I refer to it as "Rust-state" NY. My sister Susan lives in Pleasantville,in Westchester, and sister Catherine in Lake George. Twin Brother Tom is in Denver area, Mike is in NC, and Jeff in San Diego. Two brothers remain near my Mom in Fulton, NY, Craig and David.
Come visit the Museum. My treat. A couple of hours east of NYC. Every year we raise "Miss Florence's Pallette Tree"...a tall tree in the central gallery with over 100 pieces of artwork festooning the branches. The artwork consists of small wooden painter's pallettes that are used as the canvas by the artist We have over 120 of them now. Our trees will be on display until 08 Jan 2012.

r/ted

Re: William Gaffney of Ballinahinch, County Wicklow 1759 - 1845

markgaffney1 — 2011-12-08 17:12:50Z

Ted,

My e-mail is markgaffney@verizon.net. I have been to the Gaffney farms in near Lohrville, Iowa, as my grandfather Joe was a Sprague, Washington wheat farmer who married Anne Kehoe, whose family were tenant farmers for more than 50 years on Aunt Beezie Gaffney's land in Greene County, Iowa. The incredibly detailed research of Fr. Louis Gaffney, SJ, who died in 1993, was the starting point for all of my ancestry research. I was in Sprague in July 2011 for the 80th birthday party of my Aunt Rosemary Marto, the only surviving one of the eight children of Joe Gaffney & Anna Kehoe. Much of the Gaffney farmland around Sprague was sold about ten years ago, but there remains a few thousand acres that my first cousins lease out to tenants.

If you live in New York State or close by, we are not far apart, as I've lived in Pelham Manor, New York since 1986.

Re: William Gaffney of Ballinahinch, County Wicklow 1759 - 1845

te1514 — 2011-12-08 16:22:24Z

Thank you for your prompt response. I am also descended from Patrick, through his son Steven, then to Tom, then to my father Vincent. Steve inherited the family farm in Greene County, IA, as did my grandfather Tom. My father's brother Stephen worked the farm until he died in the 1970's. In the early 80's Alice, Tom's wife passed away and the farm was sold, with the proceeds divided among the four heirs. I am sure that your father has visited the old home place in Iowa, as there was much going-between the Washington and the Iowa branches of the family. I believe also that a number of the Washington wives were courted in Iowa and returned to the wheat country with their new spouses. Cavanaughs come to mind. My father (b. 1921, d. 2003) would often speak of the memorable occasions when he was a boy when the Sprague cousins would visit, including the Jesuits.

My brothers and sisters all grew up in Upstate NY, where my father and mother had re-located in 1954. His affinity with livestock secured him a position with the Busch estate in Cooperstown as farm manager where they raised prized Angus. He stayed there only a few years, and then moved to Cayuga County where he purchased a 256 acre dairy farm.

I may have a copy of William's tombstone. I also have a manuscript that was written by a Sprague Gaffney about the early days... I also have a report by one of the Jesuits, Fr Louis Gaffney on his visit in 1966, that he went to Dublin and reported on the grave site of William at Kilmurry.
I was in Wicklow a few years ago, but foolishly left the one concrete piece of info back home. I spent an afternoon searching in the wrong church ruin.

Twiss Butler has been to the Kilmurry site. Her husband's family also came from there. In fact,the patriarch Patrick Butler married Patrick's niece, Mary Ann Gaffney (John's daughter) in Galena, ILL. They later move to MN and his sons did quite well. I can send you via email what I have from Twiss. It has been a few years since I have heard back from her. She has photos of the Kilmurry site.

Regarding the Wicklow Gaffney's. Pearse is one of them, and there is a number of families living in Roundwood that must share a common descent.
It makes sense that William was an itinerary miner. There were copper mines in Avoca. And mines in Galena, ILL. Maybe that was the draw to Galena?
Have you seen the entries about the Pattern Day fights at St.Lasair's Well between the MacManus's and the Gaffney's? this is in Keadue, in Roscommon, where the story goes that the MacManus were the traditional sept of the land and the Gaffney's came down from the north after the decisive end of the Gaelic Order following the Battle of Kinsale in 1601 that resulted in the "Flight of the Earls".

So, please send me your email and I will forward you what I have from Twiss.

Sincerely,
Cousin Ted

Re: William Gaffney of Ballinahinch, County Wicklow 1759 - 1845

te1514 — 2011-12-08 15:26:39Z

Mark, that is my g-g-g-grandfather too! I am also trying to uncover the origins of the Gaffney's of Wicklow.
Twiss Butler has been to the gravesite of William in Kilmurry.

Re: William Gaffney of Ballinahinch, County Wicklow 1759 - 1845

markgaffney1 — 2011-12-08 02:29:38Z

Since I posted that message last year, I've put together on an ancestry.com family tree what I've found about the William Gaffney and his descendants. I've found four children who emigrated to America - Bridget Gaffney Byrne settled in Philadelphia in 1848, John Gaffney sailed to Philadelphia in 1849 and settled in Menominee, Illinois, Mary Gaffney Byrne also settled in Menominee, Illinois around then, and Patrick Gaffney (my ancestor) sailed to New Orleans in 1850 and settled in Prairie Springs, Iowa. Bryan Gaffney and Michael Gaffney, and a Bartholomew Gaffney, who I suspect was another son, stayed in Ireland. For the sake of privacy and the difficulty of collecting information on people born after 1930, I haven't included anything past my father's generation (William J. Gaffney born in Sprague, Washington in 1916).

An uncle of mine, now deceased, took a photograph in the 1960's of the gravestone of William Gaffney in Kilmurray Cemetery. My recent efforts to track down a copy of the photo have yet to bear fruit. But we have a humorous story about the inscription on the gravestone. My brother Patrick Gaffney is a professor at a U.S. university, and several years ago, there was a visiting professor from Ireland at the same university whose name was also Patrick Gaffney. The two had to exchange mail every Saturday, because the post office couldn't keep the mail straight with the two of them. One Saturday, the Irish Patrick Gaffney asked our Patrick Gaffney where his people came from in Ireland. My brother gave the standard response drilled into us from young age by our father - the Gaffney's were from County Wicklow. The Irishman expressed skepticism, asserting that there were no Gaffney's from County Wicklow. My brother got indignant and came up with a copy of our uncle's photo of the Kilmurray gravestone of William Gaffney. When the Irishman inspected the photo, he asserted that the photo only proves his initial claim - no Gaffney's from Wicklow. When my bother asked what the Irishman was talking about, he said that the inscription after saying "Erected by William Gafney of Ballinahinch in memory of his wife Bridget who dep this life 4th April 1841 aged 76 years. Also the above William Gaffney who died June the 29th 1845 aged 86 years", the inscription continues with something in Irish to the effect that "these people came from another place". The Irishman explained that in his family there is the same problem. He was born and raised in Cork as were his parents, but they didn't know the whereabouts of the ancestral home of their Gaffney's. After extensive research into sparse records, the best he came up with was sketchy information that his Gaffney ancestors were a family of miners from Roscommon or Meath.

Gaffney- Kent connection

BWettergreen — 2011-12-01 19:12:25Z

I am searching for documented connection between Daniel
Gaffney ( born in Ireland in 1838 and later emigrated to
Ulster county, N Y ) and Ellen and Margaret Gaffney of
Bay County, Michigan . These were 2 sisters who married
James and Thomas Kent ( 2 brothers ) from Michigan. This
is "my wall " since there was an Ellen Gaffney on the same
ship's manifest with Daniel, but I can find nothing that
connects them to each other or to Margaret Gaffney. Any,
and all help is greatly appreciated.

John GAFFNEY 1876 - 1918

martinbriscoe57 — 2011-11-22 23:23:42Z

There is the war grave of Sapper John GAFFNEY in a local churchyard.

It interests me because he was in the Royal Engineers Inland Waterways and Docks Unit which suggests he was working on the nearby Caledonian Canal.

He died by drowning 9th October 1918

His Death Certificate shows he was a widower aged 42 so born ABT 1876.

His medal card shows no medals and an address of Mrs Conalty, 19 St Patrick Road, Dalkey.

He is not listed in Ancestry Ireland, Casualties of World War I, 1914-1918

Soldiers who died in the Great War shows him as being born in Manchester and residence Rathmines, County Dublin.

I going to see if I can find him in the censuses but thought would see if anyone has any information on him.

Re: Thomas Gaffney -- Ann Gaffney

rosagaffney — 2011-11-01 21:47:13Z

Hi Maureen,
I think you may be talking about my fathers family of Patrick's villas, Ringsend. His fathers name was Tom Gaffney & he was married twice. I think we may be cousins.
Rosaleen

County Roscommon Gaffneys

rlapointe2 — 2011-10-05 17:19:02Z

I've been working with a friend whose Gaffney family came from County Roscommon.The ancestor was Michael Gaffney (b. circa 1840) in the Cooteshall/Arigna/Keadue area. Michael married Mariah Mathew prior to their immigration to the US. Michael and his wife lived in Worcester,MA. The 1870 US census lists Michael as age 30; Mariah, 26, and three children- Margaret (known as Mollee)- age 5; William-age 2; and Thomas- 9 months. In the census record, the name is spelled G-a-f-f-a-n-e-y.
My friend and her brother have been to Ireland.They were unsuccessful in getting a lock on Michael's place and date of birth. Ditto for his marriage.
All of the most recent postings sound very familiar. Any help you might offer would be greatly appreciated.

Roland Lapointe
(lapoint@verizon.net)

Re: Thadeus Gaffney of ROSCOMMON

Edward_Gaffney — 2011-09-29 16:53:15Z

Glynis,

Do you have any further info on your line - as I have indicated my great grandfather Pat had several brothers and sisters I am aware of. There was mention of a brother Thady and an older? sister Sarah who died around 1901/1902 in the States (suspect Springfield Mass. but not sure and I don't know if she married or not). Think there was also another sister Catherine who married a Clancy (Glancy) and lived near Pat (in Breanletter townland) in County Roscommon).