Origin of Ginty and McIntyre Names

Ginty
"In the sixteenth century, MacGinty was found mainly in County Donegal in the province of Ulster, but it is now a rare surname in any part of Ireland.  In Irish it was Mag Fhinneachta, meaning fair, or blond haired as the snow. There were many variation of the name, of which Maginnity, MacGinity and Ginty are probably the most notable.

"The late Dr. Edward MacLysaght, a pioneer of the study of Irish surnames, says that MacEntee has no connection whatever with MacGinty, although the two names certainly do sound alike.

"Because of the mass migration of family from County Donegal at the time of the plantation of Ulster, the MacGintys were driven south and settled in Connacht, where they became fairly numerous in the counties of Mayo and Clare.

"Remarkably little has been recorded of this ancient family.  Percy French, the famous painter, comedian and songwriter from County Roscommon, immortalized the name in his ballad, 'Paddy McGinty's Goat,' who had a taste for their bustles hanging out on the line to dry!"

Grehan, Ida. The Dictionary of Irish Family Names, 1997, Roberts Rinehart Publishers, pages 227-228.

McIntyre
"The name Mac an tSaoir originated both in Northern Ireland and Scotland.  In Ireland, it has gone through a variety of transformations, of which MacAteer is the most common, especially in counties Antrim, Donegal and Armagh -- where there is a townland called Ballymaccateer.  Mac an tSaoir means son of the tradesman and it is very likely that the Irish name, Carpenter, also derives from MacAteer.  Both MacIntyre and MacAteer are more plentiful in the north than in the south of Ireland.  In County Mayo there is a Carrickmacintyre (MacIntyre's Rock), but Cahermackateer is a County Clare placename.

"St. Kieran, who founded the famous Abbey of Clonmacnoise in AD 541, was known as Mac an tSaoir long before the establishment of surnames, designating his father as a craftsman.  Michael Mac an tSaoir was Bishop of Clogher in County Tyrone from 1268 to 1287."

Grehan, Ida.  The Dictionary of Irish Family Names, Roberts Rinehart Publishers, 1997, page 233.

John Ginty, Griffith's Valuation, 1855-1857

In an effort to value Ireland's land to secure an unbiased and equitable tax base for the wealthy and poor alike, Richard Griffith completed his monumental undertaking in the mid-1800s to collect specific valuation details to enable grand juries and Poor Law Guardians to set their tax rates. During the plotting of a tenement, the surveyor asked the occupant or the landlord, "What is the rent?" and "How is the tenement held [i.e., by lease, by the year, owned]? and entered these details in his notebook.

The Tenement Valuation in county Mayo began in 1855 and was completed in 1857. In the Civil Parish of Killasser, Townland of Carrowbeg, John Ginty, Mary Ginty's father, is listed as leasing land, a house and office/she from Edward Baxter. Edward Baxter, the owner of the land, lived in Dundee, Scotland and owned a total of 2,151 acres of land situated in County Mayo. John Ginty, for his property, paid an annual valuation of £8.

Killasser Catholic Parish, Swinford, County Mayo

The Ginty family were members of the Killasser Catholic Parish, Swinford, County Mayo.  Some history of the Parish from its website:

"The rural parish of Killasser is situated north of Swinford in County Mayo. To the north of the parish lie the spectacular Ox Mountains, and to its south flows the River Moy. Killasser takes its name from Cill Lasrach, meaning “the church of Lasair”. St Lasair established a church here in the 8th Century, the ruins of which can be found in Killasser cemetery in the townland of Knockmullin. The richness and variety of archaeological monuments in the parish, with evidence of human activity here going back 5000 years, has made Killasser well known to many outside County Mayo.

"Today, Killasser is served by two fine churches. The parish church, dedicated to All Saints, and situated in the townland of Listernan, was built in 1832. Its anchor-shaped design is unique in Ireland. The church of St Thomas, in the “half parish” of Callow, was built in 1811. It is prominently situated overlooking the picturesque waters of Callow Lough Upper and Lower. The church has beautiful stained glass windows, including a window depicting St Patrick from the studio of Harry Clarke.

"Located near the parish church of All Saints is the Killasser Community Centre, with its many facilities, opened in 1980.  In recent years, the very fine Hennigan’s Heritage Centre has been established in the parish of Killasser. Here can be traced the archaeological and social history of the parish.

"Further information about the parish can be found at www.killasser.com. (This website has photos of the area and is worth a look.)  Also recommended are three publications “Killasser-a history” and “The Archaeological Heritage of Killasser, Co Mayo”, both by Bernard O’Hara, and “Callow School Reunion – A Celebration”, all currently out of print but available at local libraries.

"Ancient Ecclesiastical Sites: The ruined remains of a very ancient church are to be found in Cill Seisneáin in the townland of Graffy.  Other more recent remains are situated on the hill of Srón in nearby  Carrowneden. Mass is celebrated in alternate years at each church  site around mid summers day."

Mary Ginty, Baptismal Record, 1850

Mary Ginty was baptized on September 3, 1850 at Killasser Roman Catholic Church, County Mayo, Ireland. Her parents John Ginty and Peggy Conway (Convey) are noted as well as her sponsors Thomas Ginty and Mary Cahill. This entry is recorded in the early pages of the Baptismal Register of the Parish and therefore damaged due to age and wear.

Lawrence McIntyre and Mary Ginty Marriage Record, 1877

From the Killasser Roman Catholic Parish Marriage Register, County Mayo, Ireland, the entry for March 1, 1877 shows the recording of Law(rence) McEntire and Mary Ginty's marriage. They were married by E. H. Carrington, Catholic Curate.  Witnesses are John Conway and Maria Convey (Conway).  Following the marriage, Lawrence and Mary resided in Lislea, Kilmacteige Parish, County Sligo, Ireland, the townland from which Lawrence came.

Mary McIntyre Egan, Cemetery Headstone, 1927

Mary McIntyre Egan died March 8, 1927 and was buried on March 10 at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Worth, Illinois.  She is buried in a single grave 97, block 10, section 5.  GPS coordinates: N 41 degrees, 41 minutes, 15.0 seconds; W 87degrees, 46 minutes, 21.7 seconds; Altitude: 610 feet.

Her husband, Daniel J. Egan remarried and is also buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery with his second wife, Ellen "Nellie" and one of their daughters, Catherine F. Egan.  Daniel died November 7, 1960. He is buried in lot 5, block 12, section 58.  GPS coordinates: N 41 degrees, 41 minutes, 11.3 seconds; W 87 degrees, 46 minutes, 26.6 seconds; altitude 580 feet.

Mary McIntyre Egan, 1923

This is the only photo I have of Mary McIntyre Egan. It is from her 1923 U. S. Passport Application.

Mary McIntyre Egan, 1923 Passport Application, Page 1

Mary McIntyre Egan applied for a passport in 1923 to travel with her brother, Thomas J., and his family so they could all visit Mary and Thomas' parents in Ireland.

The text of the document reads:
I, Mary Egan, a naturalized and Loyal Citizen of the United States, hereby apply to the Department of State, at Washington, for a passport.  Married Sept. 6, 1914.

I solemnly swear that I was born at Aclare, Co. Sligo, Ireland on or about the first day of August, 1886; that my husband, Daniel J. Egan was born in Ireland that he emigrated to the United States, sailing on board the Etruria from Queenstown, Ireland on or about December 1st, 1906; that he resided 16 1/2 years, uninterruptedly, in the United States, from 1906 to 1923 at Chicago, Ill.; that he was naturalized as a citizen of the United States before the Circuit Court of Chicago at Ill. Cook County, on 29 August, 1912 as shown by the accompanying Certificate of Naturalization; that I am the wife of the person described in said Certificate; that I have resided in the United States uninterruptedly, for 14 1/2 years, from 1908 to 1923, at Chicago, Ill.; that I am domiciled in the United States, my permanent residence being at 3722 Emerald ave, Chicago in the State of Illinois, where I follow the occupation of House Wife.  My last passport was obtained from (None).

I am about to go abroad temporarily; and intend to return to the United States within four months with the purpose of residing and performing the duties of citizenship therein; and that I desire a passport for use in visiting the countries hereinafter named for the following purpose:
Name of Country: Ireland       Object of visit: Visit Parents

The passport was issued June 18, 1923.

Mary McIntyre Egan, 1923 Passport Application, Page 2

On the reverse side of Mary McIntyre Egan's passport application her description is given and her brother, Thomas J., verifies the information provided.

She is described as 37 years old, five feet, three inches tall, with a small forehead and mouth, and a medium chin. Her hair is black, eyes grayish brown and she has a stub nose.  She has a small face with a fair complexion.

Her brother, Thomas McIntyre, provides identification for the passport on June 12, 1923:

Thomas McIntyre, solemnly swear that I am a naturalized citizen of the United States; that I reside at 3256 W. Harrison St.; that I have known the above-named Mrs. Mary Egan personally for 2 years and know her to be "the" of the person referred to in the within-described certificate of naturalization; and that the facts stated in his affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

It is signed: Thomas McIntyre, Motorman, 3256 Harrison St.

It is interesting that Thomas states he has only known her for two years, even thought he is her brother and has obviously known her his entire life.

Bridget McIntyre Haran, Late 1930s

This photo was given to Cathy Heuck when she was in Ireland in the 1990s. The daughter of Lawrence and Mary (Ginty) McIntyre, Bridget McIntyre Haran (1881-1945) (seated) is the twin sister of Mary McIntyre Egan. The photo was was taken in Ireland, possibly on the farm in Lislea where she lived. Standing from left to right shows: Annie Haran Brennan (1913-2003), Mary Ruane Glazier (1922-?), Mary Haran Crane (1912-2005), and Bridget "Bridie" Haran Heffernan (1915-1993). Annie, Mary and Bridie are Bridget's daughters and Mary Ruane is her niece and the sister of Sally Ruane Gilger.

Lawrence McIntyre, Declaraton of Intention, 1909

Lawrence (Laurence) McIntyre, son of Lawrence and Mary (Ginty) McIntyre, applied for US citizenship at the age of 18.  He states on his Declaration of Intention that he arrived in the United States on April 29, 1909 at the port of New York on the vessel Majestic. As you can see from the date of the document, within two weeks of arriving in America, he has filed his intention to become a citizen. The document provides the following description: He is five feet, nine inches tall, weighs 150 pounds, has a dark completion, dark brown hair and greyish-blue eyes. He is residing at 35 Flournoy Street in Chicago, where his brother Thomas J. McIntyre also is living as noted elsewhere on Lawrence's passenger list.