Hello. I am researching the family history of my great, great grandparents and their forebears.
John Hourigan married Ellen Ryan in the parish of Parteen/Meelick on 21 January, 1835. I believe the witnesses were Thomas Kerin and William Honan.
John Hourigan may have been born in Limerick c1815 but I have no record of his birth/baptism or death/burial.
It is believed that Ellen Ryan may have been born c1817 to Michael Ryan and Mary (nee Kerin) in Tulla, County Clare. There is some information to suggest Michael and Mary Ryan may have lived in the townland of Liscullaun in the Tulla parish. Ellen (Ryan) Hourigan is believed to have emigrated to Australia c1841. It is not known whether Ellen Ryan had any siblings but there is a record of a Sinon born to Michael & Mary Ryan as being baptised on 4 April, 1819 in Tulla Parish.
John Hourigan and Ellen Ryan had two sons, Edward (my great grandfather) and John, baptised at St Michael's, Limerick on 16 Sept 1836 and 16 June 1839 respectively. They emigrated to Australia in 1857.
John Hourigan was still alive in 1857 and may have lived in Queen St, now Davis St, Limerick but many residents were moved from there to a new settlement (name unknown).
My points of interest focus on:
Ellen Ryan's birth, parents, siblings and the Kerin family.
John Hourigan, birth/death,burial and occupation.
I would like as to whether I should also direct my enquiries to Meelick, Tulla and Limerick.
Any help would be most appreciated.
Best regards
John Hourigan
Thursday 30th Apr 2015, 04:25AM
Message Board Replies
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Hi John:
Thanks for your query to Ireland Reaching Out. The Tulla parish registers start in 1819, so Ellen's baptism would not have been recorded. However, I note your comment re a sibling named Sinon, and accordingly that entry states the following:
Anne: 4/4/1819. Father: Michael Ryan, Mother: Mary Kerin, Residence: Liscullane.
Sponsors: James Davoren, Catherine O'Connell.
Having a quick look, I cannot see other children, but I will have a more in-depth look at the registers next week. In the meantime, if you have any further information that you think might be helpful, please email me at: tulla@irelandxo.com.
Kind regards,
Jane
Tulla Clare, IrelandXO Volunteer
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Hi John:
Thanks for your query to Ireland Reaching Out. The Tulla parish registers start in 1819, so Ellen's baptism would not have been recorded. However, I note your comment re a sibling named Sinon, and accordingly that entry states the following:
Anne: 4/4/1819. Father: Michael Ryan, Mother: Mary Kerin, Residence: Liscullane.
Sponsors: James Davoren, Catherine O'Connell.
Having a quick look, I cannot see other children, but I will have a more in-depth look at the registers next week. In the meantime, if you have any further information that you think might be helpful, please email me at: tulla@irelandxo.com.
Kind regards,
Jane
Tulla Clare, IrelandXO Volunteer
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Jane, Many thanks for your response. It is intersting that you have located the baptism of MARY on the same date that I had recorded SINON. I can't remember how I found SINON but assume that this must be incorrect unless they were twins (don't want to make things more complicated).
I don't have much more information. Certainly it seems as though we are looking at the correct family (parents: Michael Ryan/Mary Kerin) and the area Liscullane/Liscullaun. I have not been able to find a record of deaths.
I did visit the parishes of Parteen, Meelick and Tulla some years ago but in every case the parish priests were unavailable. I searched the headstones in Tulla, to no avail.
When Ellen came to Australia, the shipping documents confirmed she came from Tulla. Sponsors at the baptism in 1839 of one of Ellen's children (my great, great uncle) John Hourigan, was a Mary Ryan and it seems highly likey this was Ellen's sister, Mary - the person you have now discovered.
I am extremely grateful for your help.
Best regards
John
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Jane, Many thanks for your response. It is intersting that you have located the baptism of MARY on the same date that I had recorded SINON. I can't remember how I found SINON but assume that this must be incorrect unless they were twins (don't want to make things more complicated).
I don't have much more information. Certainly it seems as though we are looking at the correct family (parents: Michael Ryan/Mary Kerin) and the area Liscullane/Liscullaun. I have not been able to find a record of deaths.
I did visit the parishes of Parteen, Meelick and Tulla some years ago but in every case the parish priests were unavailable. I searched the headstones in Tulla, to no avail.
When Ellen came to Australia, the shipping documents confirmed she came from Tulla. Sponsors at the baptism in 1839 of one of Ellen's children (my great, great uncle) John Hourigan, was a Mary Ryan and it seems highly likey this was Ellen's sister, Mary - the person you have now discovered.
I am extremely grateful for your help.
Best regards
John
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Hi John,
I am a descendent of Honora Hourigan who was married in the parish of Parteen/Meelick in March of 1832. Do you know if your John Hourigan had a sister named Honora? Honora married James Sullivan and the witnesses were Thomas Sullivan and Michael Keane. Their children were also baptized in the same parish from 1833-1847. Their first child Mary was baptized in 1833 and the Godparents were Catherine Ryan and Michael Hough. There was also a Mary Hourigan as a Godparent to their son James born in 1844. Lots of similar names to your Hourigan family information. I am just wondering if there is a connection.
Erin O
irisheyes16
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Hi Erin O
irisheyes 16
No I don't think John had a sister Honora but I really can't discount it. John H and Ellen Ryan were married in Parteen/Meelick in 1835. The only record I have of John is that he possibly lived in Limerick where his two sons were baptised. I have no idea where he was born or where he died. I can't find a family address anywhere although a John H was living (with no other family members) in Queen St Limerick in 1850. I believe he died between 1850 and 1857. Ellen was probably born in Tulla or Liscullaun (Liscullane) c1817 and a brother Simon 1819. Can't find anything on parents Michael Ryan and Mary Kerin.
Did Honora travel to Australia?
I live in Sydney. Where are you.
Regards
John
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Hi John,
One of Honora Hourigan's sons, Patrick, emigrated to the US. I am not sure about Honora's other children or Honora herself. I am a descendent of Patrick and I am in the US. I don't think Hourigan is too common a name and to have them both living in the same parish seems curious. So,far, I haven't found a sibling named John but I'll keep your family on mind as I research. Good Luck!
Erin
irisheyes16
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Hello John, I know this is an old post but I have only just discovered this message board. I am also looking for my great-grandfather John Hourigan from Meelick, who was born around 1834 and migrated to Australia in the 1850s or 60s. I don't believe my John is the same as your great-uncle, but there may be another family connection. My great-grandfather's parents were Michael Hourigan and Sarah Healey, but I don't believe they also came here, although at least some of John's siblings (possibly all) did emigrate.
I'm also in Sydney but my Hourigans settled in Araluen near Braidwood.
Cheers
MichelleMichelle H
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Hi Michelle
I received notification of your post on 5 March but there is no content. Have you come across sometthing new?
Regards
John