Greetings Cassidys and friends:
About 3 years ago, I posted a message on Rootsweb and this email grop
concerning my ancestory search. So far I have not made any further
progress, but I'm hoping maybe some new members to the group can assist
me.
I'm searching for my lost Cassidys. Actually, I know who they are; I'm
just at a dead end in the 1850's. They lived on the Dooros Peninsula
that juts 7 miles into Lake Corrib, the largest lake in the Republic
close to Joyces Country in Galway County and next to the border with
Mayo. The largest nearby town is Cong (known for Ashford Castle and
where the movie the Quiet Man was filmed); Clonbur is closer but
smaller than Cong. At the top of the peninsula is the village of
Cornamona.
My great, great grandfather was James Cassidy and his family lived in
the middle of the peninsula. From the 1901 census, the parish was Cong,
the barony Ross, the townland Dooros, and the district electoral
division was Cong. James had already died, but his wife, Sarah Cassidy,
was the head of the household. She was born in 1843, and James about
the same time. Sarah Cassidy's maiden name was Coyne. She had 4
children; James, the oldest son, is my great grandfather. Only James
married, and he came to America and lived in Saratoga Springs, New
York. That is were my grandfather (John) lived and my father (Paul) was
born. The other children of Sarah were Michael, Mary and John. Michael
and Mary lived on the farm on Dooros (which often has various
spellings, including Doras) until their deaths around 1950. Then the
farm passed into the harms of Bridget Coyne and her son, Tommie, now
lives on it with his wife and daughter. This is the same Coyne family
as Sarah Coyne Cassidy born in 1843. I visited them and the area in
1995.
I'm looking for other Cassidys that lived in the area and in particular
on the Dooros Peninsula. I found a reference to a Diana Cassidy in the
1850's on land valuation records living there. I assume I'm related to
her, but don't know the precise connection. I looked at the local
parish records, visited the records center in Galway City (where I
obtained the marriage license for Sarah and James Cassidy), the
National Archives and Land Valuation Office in Dublin. I don't know how
to go back any further.
I'd also be interested if anyone has insight into the migration around
Ireland of the Cassidys (which also could be an interesting article for
the Cassidy Clan website which I operate). Thanks for any assistance.
Finally, the next Cassidy Clan Rally is in August 2002 in County
Fermanagh. We were are now holding the rally every other year so if
you have the opportunity, please visit us in Ireland this year,
otherwise you have to wait to 2004. Details and photo of past rallies
are on the Clan website:
www.cassidyclan.org
Stephen Cassidy
shcassidy(a)yahoo.com
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