My great great grandfather, Michael Fitzgerald was said to have been a steeplechase jockey. . I do not know if he was professional or amateur. He was supposedly killed in a race accident. He was married to Mary Prinderville, and had a daughter named Honora Fitzgerald. His wife dies when Nora was young. After his death, his now orphaned daughter left for the USA. She said his death allowed her to leave the convent where she was being schooled. On her immigration form she declared she was from Dingle. Michael's death, and her subsequent departure from Ireland would have been about 1890-92. Is there anyway to learn more about either Michael, Mary or Honora (Nora) Fitzgerald? I would especially like to learn more about his riding career as I am an avid horsewoman myself.
with warm regards,
Missy
Missy Wall
Saturday 25th Jul 2020, 01:44AMMessage Board Replies
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Missy:
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!
I found a number of records on your family. All the records list that Michael Fitzgerald was a horse trainer. He and Mary Prinderville were married in Listowel in 1870. They had three children that I could locate: Michael 1871, Honora 1874 and Margaret 1877. Mary died in 1880 at age 28 from cancer. All of these events were in Listowel.
I was not able to locate a death record for Michael either in Dingle or Listowel. He may have been exercising the horse and had an accident or he may have been in a race and was killed. He also could have been kicked by a horse.
Let me know what questions you have.
Roger McDonnell
see fourth record https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1870/11396/8184886.pdf
see third record https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1872/03255/2192845.pdf
last record https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1874/03132/2148407.pdf
eighth record https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1877/03004/2101053.pdf
fourth record https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1880/06463/4858682.pdf
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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Dear Roger-
I cannot begin to express my gratitude for this information you've provided. I'm missing my Mom so very much right now, wishing I could share his with her. Is there any more information on Honora's siblings? I never knew that she had any. Apparently back then , when they left Ireland they left everything and everyone behind. Honora rarely talked much about her life before coming to the States, so my mom didn't know much. What you have provided is more than I ever thought I would learn. Anything you can tell me is a nugget that I'll treasure.
Thank so much for this help,
MIssyMissy Wall
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Missy:
I'm very glad I could assist you. I looked for marriage records for Margaret or Michael in the Listowel area but did not find one that was a good possibility. All the best!
Roger
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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I've been trying to find out what type of licensing or registration might have been required for MIchael to be a trainer back then. Any thoughts? I'd like to know more about him.
Missy Wall
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Missy:
I doubt there was a licensing process in place back in the late 1800s.
Roger
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘