John Ginty Farmland in Carrowbeg

While in Ireland in July 2011, I visited Carrowbeg, County Mayo and took a 360 degree video of the land in front of the property where John Ginty lived and specifically the house where Sally Ruane Gilger grew up.  In the video I say the open pasture land belonged to John Ginty, I'm not sure that is true.  But, the spot I took the video from is in front of the Ginty/Ruane (now Rowley) house Carrowbeg.

For some still photos of the Ginty/Ruane/Rowley house and property, click here.



Source: Elaine McIntyre Beaudoin, video, July 2011.

Mary McIntyre - Birth Registration

Mary McIntyre (Egan) was born on August 1, 1881 in Lislea, County Sligo.  Her parents are noted on the birth registration below as Larry McIntyre and Mary McIntyre, nee Ginty.  Mary Ginty McIntyre registered the birth on the 6th of September 1881 in the district of Aclare, union of Tobercurry, County Sligo.

I was able to get a copy of the birth registration when I was in Dublin in July, 2011.

Source: Ireland, Civil Registration Office

Ginty Farm, 2011

Photos of the land in Carrowbeg that John Ginty, Mary Ginty McIntyre's father, occupied in the 1850s and later owned.  The house is now owned by the Rowley family and they are unrelated to the Gintys.  In the 1850s there were 13 families living on the parcel of land.

The road in front of the Ginty farm

Driveway to the house where Sally Ruane Gilger lived, great-granddaughter of John Ginty

James Gilger, Sally's son, standing in front of the same property in 2001.

(Ginty)/Ruane/Rowley home in 2011

Fields across the road from the Ginty homesite

Photos: Elaine Beaudoin, August, 2011; Photo of James Gilger courtesy of Sally Gilger.

Killasser Church

Mary Ginty was baptized on September 3, 1850 and married Lawrence McIntyre on March 1, 1877 both in this Killasser Church.

Killasser Church, County Mayo

For more information go to additional postings in this blog:

Killasser Civil Parish

Killasser Catholic Church

Mary Ginty Baptismal Record 

Mary Ginty and Lawrence McIntyre Wedding Record



Photos: Elaine Beaudoin, July, 2011

1911 Irish Census - McIntyre/Ginty

The 1911 Census of Ireland lists Laurence McIntyre and his wife Mary (Ginty) with two of their children Bridget, age 25, and John, age 19.  It notes that all but Mary were born in County Sligo, she was born in County Mayo.  At the time of the census, they were living on the farm in Lislea, Kilmacteige Civil Parish, County Sligo.

The census states Laurence and Mary have been married 34 years.  I have their marriage record from Killasser Parish, County Mayo with the date of March 1, 1877 which agrees with the information provided.  In addition, it states Mary had six children with five currently living.  Their daughter Catherine died young.  Although I don't have a death record for Catherine, all the rest of the children lived beyond 1911, so it must be Catherine who is deceased in 1911.

Laurence could not write and did not sign the census, but his son John was the witness to his "mark."  My belief is that it is John McIntyre's signature at the bottom of the census.

On associated 1911 Census sheets -- Form B. 1 - House and Building Return and Form B. 2 - Return of Out-Offices and Farm-Steadings -- it notes the McIntyres had three out-buildings including a stable, a cow house and a piggery.  The house itself had either a wood or thatched roof, was composed of only two rooms and had two windows in the front of the home.   Certainly a modest home in which to raise six children.

Daughter, Bridget, married P. Billy Haran and lived on the farm raising five daughters:  Mary (Crane), Annie (Brennan), Tessie (Cafferty), Bridget (Heffernan) and Josephine (O'Malley/Pointing).  Their daughter, Tessie, married Dominic Cafferty and they then lived on the farm.  Dominic died in the early 1980s.  They had no children.  In the 1990s, Tessie sold the farm to a neighbor and moved to live with her niece, daughter of Bridget (Heffernan), in Cheekpoint, County Waterford.  I am told she eventually went to England, probably to be near her sisters, where she died in 2004.

So, after more than 150 years, no longer were there any descendants of Michael McIntyre (c1830-a1854) living on the farm.

Madden - Ginty Marriage Record, 1867

Thomas Madden and Catherine Ginty (Genty), the sister of Mary Ginty McIntyre, were married on February 2, 1867 by Fr. John Finn in the Roman Catholic parish of Killasser.  They were both single at the time and of full age, i.e., 21 or over.  The register notes that Thomas Madden is a landholder and his residence at the time of marriage was Lahardane, which is also in the Civil Parish of Killasser.  Catherine's residence at the time of marriage is noted as Carrabeg, Killasser Parish, County Mayo.  Thomas' father was also named Thomas and Catherine's father was named John. Both fathers are listed as landholders.

Witnesses to their marriage were Michael O'Donnell and Mary Durcan.

Irish Civil Records, Page 673, line 17, February 2, 1867, Roman Catholic Chapel of Killasser, Registrar's District of Foxford, Union of Swinford, County Mayo

Mary Ginty McIntyre's Sibling - Patrick

It is believed that John Ginty and Margaret (Peggy) Conway had a fourth child and a son.

Patrick Ginty

On the 1901 Irish Census for the Townland of Carrowbeg, Parish of Killasser in the entry for Edward and Bridget O'Donnell, in addition to their daughter Bridget, is listed a Patrick Ginty.  He is noted as Brother-in-Law. This would make him Bridget (Margaret) Ginty O'Donnell's brother.  It states he cannot read and his age is 40, giving him a birth year of approximately 1861.   It states that he is a farmer's son, not married and born in County Mayo. Further, it is noted that he is an Idiot. The form is signed by Edward O'Donnell.

County Mayo, Swinford, Cuildoo, Carrowbeg Townland, Parish Killasser

In the 1911 Irish Census for the Townland of Carrowbeg, Parish of Killasser in the entry for Edward and Bridget O'Donnell, again their daughter Bridget is listed along with the brother-in-law, Patrick Ginty.  However, this time his age is given as 69 giving him a birth year circa 1842.  This year is probably closer to an actual year.

It is noted in the report from the Mayo North Family History Centre report that the earliest records for Killasser are for the year 1847.  This most likely accounts for no baptismal record for Patrick Ginty.  He is believed to be the oldest of the children of John Ginty and Margaret Conway.

It is interesting that when Thomas J. McIntyre, CM was collecting genealogical information, no mention of the existence of Patrick Ginty was made.

In 2011, at a luncheon with Sally Ruane Gilger, I asked if she knew anything about a Patrick Ginty.  She said she thought he might have been a change-of-life baby for Bridget Ginty O'Donnell (her grandmother) and he possibly had Down's Syndrome.  So, perhaps the age given in the 1901 Irish Census was more accurate and he was born c1861, i.e., the last of the O'Donnell/Ginty children.  But, if so, there should be a baptismal record for him.

Mary Ginty McIntyre's Sibling - Margaret

The third child of John Ginty and Margaret (Peggy) Convey:

Margaret (Bridget) Ginty O'Donnell

Margaret was baptised in the Roman Catholic Parish of Killasser on the 20th of March 1853.  Sponsors were James Ginty and Mary Cahill.  Margaret was known for most of her life as Bridget.

Margaret "Bridget" married Edward O'Donnell, c 1892.  They had at least one child: Bridget "Bea" O'Donnell born c 1897.  The child Bridget "Bea" married James Ruane.   

Margaret died c 1931 and her husband, Edward O'Donnell, died c 1946.

Sources: Mayo North Family Heritage Centre, December 8, 1998 and Family Tree produced by Thomas J. McIntyre, CM, c 1990.

Mary Ginty McIntyre's Sibling - Catherine

John Ginty and Margaret (Peggy) Convey had four known children.  The oldest child was:

Catherine Ginty Madden

Catherine was born circa 1849 as per 1901 Irish Census of Population Returns.  Catherine married Thomas Madden, son of Thomas Madden from Lahardane in Killasser. They were married in Killasser Roman Catholic church on the 2nd of February 1867.  The ceremony was performed by Reverend John Finn and witnessed by Michael O'Donnell and Mary Durkin.  In the 1901 Irish Census, Catherine Madden (nee Ginty) is recorded as being a widow aged 52 years.

A Thomas Madden, a 55-year old married man was found dead in Crohan Lake on Monday morning the 1st of August 1898.  His death was registered by Edmond C. Kelly, coroner for Co. Mayo.  It is believed that this is the husband of Catherine.

Thomas and Catherine had eight known children:
1.  Mary, baptized on the 4th of December 1867.   Sponsors were Pat Madden and Mary Ginty
2.  Bridget, baptized on the 2nd of January 1869.  Sponsors were Thomas Ginty and Mary Kennedy.
3.  Michael, baptized on the 11th of August 1870.  Sponsors were James Madden and Mary Ginty.
4.  John, baptized on the 24th of September 1870.  Sponsors were John Ginty and Mary Kennedy.
5.  Thomas, baptized on the 24th of September 1871.  Sponsors were Michael and Mary Ginty.
6.  Pat, baptized on the 15th of January 1876.  Sponsors were Richard Madden and Mary Ginty.
7.  James, baptized on the 19th of November 1879.  Sponsors were unknown and Kate Sheeran.  James died on the 11th of December 1879 aged 1 month from convulsions.  His father Thomas registered the death.
8.  James, baptized on the 2nd of December 1880.  Sponsors were Michael Madden and Bridget Ginty.

Source: All information compiled by the Mayo North Family History Centre, December 7, 1998.

Lawrence J. McIntyre, Death Certificate, 1943

Thomas J. McIntyre's brother Lawrence J. McIntyre was the husband of Lillian O'Brien.  He was found dead at 506 N. Clark, Chicago on November 6, 1943. The doctor determined he died of chronic myocarditis, i.e., heart attack. The informant on the death certificate is his wife Lillian O'Brien McIntyre. This document is a good example of misinformation or incorrect information on a death certificate.

Lillian did not know her husband's birthday so his age is guessed at 45. It was off by a few years. He was born cMay 18, 1890, making him 53. She listed his father as Lawrence McIntyre, County Sligo (the person filling out the document wrote "Slago") and his mother as Margaret Madden. Only because I have Lawrence's baptismal record do I know that Margaret Madden was his godmother not his mother. His biological mother was Mary Ginty McIntyre, born in County Mayo. Lillian probably never met Lawrence's mother who never came to the US, and Lillian probably heard him speak of Margaret Madden and thought that was his mother's name.

Lawrence is buried in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois,  Lot 59, Blk 17, Sec 37, Gr 2, in an unmarked grave.

Thomas J. McIntyre, Birth Certificate, 1878

When I was in Ireland in 1998, I went to the records office in Dublin to see if I could get a copy of Thomas McIntyre's birth certificate. I supplied the birth date of April 14, 1878. When the clerk came out with the certificate, it said, July 14, 1878. I thought this odd, but all the rest of the information agreed. I later learned that parents were fined if they didn't register the birth of their child within three months. Noting the date of registration as September 17, 1878, it became evident that his parent just "altered" the birth date to prevent from being fined. Since that time, I have seen this same occurrence in other individuals born in the 1800s.

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.

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.

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.