On the subject of Ulster Cassidys,my grandmother Catherine Cassidy
Conroy was born in Crossmaglen,Armagh in 1865 and died in
Newcastle-upon Tyne,England in 1927.She was the daughter of Charles
Cassidy and Jane Corrigan Cassidy of Crossmaglen.
I have not done extensive research on her family but have it on the
agenda. My father visited there in the 60's and found several cousins
who remembered her and her family. My husband and I spent a little
time there in 1993.This is the village that has been the scene of
countless confrontations between the IRA and the British army.It was
very disconcerting to stand in the village square on a quiet Sunday
morning and within moments to be covering the ears as huge helicopters
swooped over the landscape.The local football team was playing a team
from across the border for a big championship and the local British
barracks must have been threatened by all those roaring,flag waving
fans that came pouring out of the churches. It was an uneasy visit, I
must say; machine gun turrets around the square, and armed guards at
the border. I hope my visit this year is more comfortable.
My father had said that the old family home had become the victim of
"The Troubles" and no longer existed,so I didn't pursue that.He had
brought back a calendar that was sponsored by a cousin's farm. The
name on it is:
James Cassidy,Crievekeeran Dairy,Crievekeeran,Crossmaglen,Armagh.
I would suspect that several of grandmother's close relatives ended
up in Northumberland,England around the turn of the century, when my
grandparents arrived there with their large Catholic family.
Let me know if this is helpful information.
Nancy Murphy in Oregon
nancym(a)chatlink.com