John Maher / Meagher married 1884

 Researching the ancestors of Edna Mary Spellman Babcock, a grand daughter of  Nellie Ellen Maher Diller.  We share 100 cM across 6 segments of DNA, likely a 3rd cousin.  Nellie Ellen Maher married in Newburgh, NY and the New York marriage record:  Nellie E. Maher, Female, 18,  Birth Date abt 1895,  Marriage Date 14 Aug 1913, Marriage Place Orange County, New York, USA.  Father - John Maher, birthplace Ireland and  Mother - Margaret Maher, birthplace Ireland and Spouse - William Louis Diller. 

      I have not been able to find Nellie's birth certificate in New York, her birthplace.  In 1920 census, a sister Catherine Maher, born about 1890 is living with the Diller family.  Can not find a birth certificate in New York, her birthplace.  The parents John Maher and Margaret Maher were born in Ireland according to US census records.  So I searched for an Irish civil marriage record starting 1864 - 1900 and found only one record of a John Maher marrying a Margaret Maher.  

     25 Feb 1884 • RC Chapel of Drangan, Drangan, Tipperary, Ireland

Registrar's Dist. Killenaule, County Tipperary. Marriage record No. 48, Margaret from Moanvurrin, CP Drangan, SR Dist. Cashel. John from Lower Crohane, CP Crohane, S. Reg District Callan. Lower Crohane is a few miles NNW of Moanvurrin.  The marriage record is interesting in that their surname is written Meagher but when John and Margaret signed the record they signed surname Maher.   This may be a leap but right now it is the only lead I have.

     John's father is listed as Laurence a farmer.  Griffiths Valuation is a little earlier around 1850 but I found evidence of Maher households which include a Lawrence Maher at #3 holding 31 acres, 2 roods and 26 perches in Lower Crohane.  Did a search in the Ballingarry Parish records from 1835 to 1875 - 20 John Maher baptisms but none with father Laurence.  Checked the image of all to be sure - nothing.  There was no John baptisms between Mar 1868 (16 in 1884) and May 1859 (35 in 1884) our sweet spot.  So I read the parish entries over those dates - no John / Laurence Maher combinations.  Appears Laurence is written Laur in many records.

    Open to further suggestions.  If our Laurence is in Lower Crohane in 1850 Griffith's and his son John is in Lower Crohane for his wedding in 1884 it is expected he would have been baptized in the local parish.  Unless we follow the common tradition and he is the oldest child and baptized at his mother's parish elsewhere.  Any help appreciated.

Charlie B