Click here to go back to the main page.

To add your message to this page contact either Joe Egan or Rich Pettit. Some of the messages below are extracts from message boards at www.ancestry.com . The submitters have given their approval to post them here.

Click here to go back to the main page.

 Message Center

Sarah [Melvin], from Ardee up north of Foxford, as I came across the settlement, quite likely the Ardnaree I believe I saw posted....married a John Nealis, in all probability close to the town, my guess being around 1835-37. I have no knowledge of either parent coming to the U.S., but four of their chldren did in the years 1859-65, a Mary (Maria) about 1859, Sarah (my great grandmother, married to Michael Ruane), I think 1860, John Jr. (J.W., a priest) and Belinda, in 1865. Their birth years range from 1838, 1841, 1846 and 1849 respectively, presumably in the same locale. All came to Minnesota, several counties surrounding St. Paul, Dakota, Sibley, Stearns, several in teaching and as above in religious service. If that the original location seems to fit the details you've put on the web I have hopes you might be able to make a connection or so for me.....I just can't seem to find data through the LDS and very little through AncestryCom. and therefore was quite happy to run across your data. Very sincerely, George Murphy, gem@vermontel.net


Having come across your web site, I have been researching the Quigley family and I think the John Quigley she married is my family. He was born in 1820 (or 1832!) in Clooney Parish, Clare County, married 1852, and died 1858. They had 2 children, Margaret (born 5/11/1855 in York), died 7/5/1934 in Payson Utah,who married Brigham Heber Willard Crook in Payson on 20/4/1874, and had 10 children, and John, born 12/11/1853 in York, who  married twice and had  10 children. Nancy Melvin indeed also married an Isaac Wright;you can find all this on the FamilySearch web site of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints.
Hope this helps
Regards
Steve Cox  steveandmary@ouselea36.fsnet.co.uk


Received from: Jo-Ann Dupuis j-dupuis@comcast.net

I have been researching my family and have the following info from census/naturalization/archives/state records:

Michael Melvin on his naturalization papers states that he came into the United STates at Portsmouth NH on July 31, 1842.

From the city of Mayo in the county of Mayo

Census records show him in 1860 at age 40 living in Exeter, NH with wife Bridget (Garrity) age 28.

Children on the 1860 census:

James, age 7

John age 5

Mary A. age 1

(Of course the ages of him and his wife Bridget are probably not all that accurate.)

In 1861, he enlisted in the NH 8th Regiment, Union, as a private. His age on his enlistment papers show him to be age 30.

So I can assume he was over age 30 but under age 40, putting his birth date in the range of 1820-1830, but probably closer to 1830, as on his naturalization papers he claimed to be age 38 in 1868. (he probably tried harder to be closer to the truth in the court atmosphere...)

His death record shows an 1822 birth date, (but would be his children reporting that to the authorities).

I tried but could not find ship's papers for that early year yet...missing info from NARA.

At any rate, I'd be interested in anyone's help in pinpointing his Irish roots. When I look at the map on your website, I do see a city of Mayo in the county of Mayo and perhaps someone out there can point me in the right direction to how I might proceed with the info I have.
Jo-Ann Dupuis New Hampshire j-dupuis@attbi.com


Received from Michael Hughes at: apesound@yahoo.com    

RECORD #3530:  Melvin, Mary (?????). I believe this to be Mary (Newcomb) Melvin.  Passing at the age of 70 in 1906, she would have been born abt.1836 and having her children 1866-1874) between the ages of 30-38.  The comment also mentions her son, James Melvin was present at death, still married, farmer's wife.  Mary Newcomb had a son James and her husband, Michael, was a farmer.

RECORD #3536:  Melvin, Mary (NEWCOMB?).
I don't believe this to be Mary (Newcomb) Melvin.  Passing at the age of 70 in 1888, she would have been born abt.1818 and having her children (1866-1874) between the ages of 48-56!  The comment mentions her son, Michael Melvin was present at death.  I haven't (at least not yet) found a record that Michael Melvin and Mary Newcomb had a son Michael.


My great grandfather was William Melvin, Tilting Newfoundland. He married Agnes Burke also from Newfoundland. In 1875 they had Alexander Melvin who married Mary Keough from Boyds Cove Newfoundland. In 1928 they immigrated with their children to Halifax Nova Scotia. Family legend has it that our family was from Boston and are descended from Captain David Melvin. I cannot go back beyond William Melvin and am hoping someone may have further information Gail Quigley Victoria BC quigbg@shaw.ca


GERRITY, SULLIVAN, COLEMAN, MELVIN, CUMMINGS
My great grandmother Winifred COLEMAN b circa 1852 Ballina, Co Mayo married John J. COLEMAN. Winifred's parents Patrick COLEMAN from Coolcran and Margaret MELVIN from Cloomolina(?) were married in 1835 in Backs Parish. Margaret Melvin parents were Martin MELVIN and Jane HOLMES. Winifred's siblings were- John m Catherine QUINN and settled in Dunmore, Andrew m Mary and settled in Georgia, Edward m Mary HOGAN and settled in New Zealand, Mary m Patrick KNIGHT and settled in Scranton, Jane m Patrick TRAYNOR and settled in New Zealand, and Margaret m James BELL and settled in NJ and then Scranton. Winifred and all her children, except for David immigrated in 1895 and settled in Scranton. Winifred's children-Margaret, Mary, David m Bridget GILLIAN and stayed in Ireland, Andrew, Cecilia, Minnie, Jane m Andrew MC HUGH, Annie m Martin WADE and then Joseph GRAY, Agnes m Horace JORDAN and then Joseph GRAY and Peter my grandfather m Nellie CURRAN CORBETT and settled in Scranton. It appears Winifred COLEMAN line came from the Ballina area of Co Mayo-Coolcran, Foxford, Knockmore, Cuinbeg, Tavanaghmore, Backs Parish.
I have not been able to trace my great grandfather John J. COLEMAN line his parents or his siblings.

MY ANCESTOR PATRICK MELVIN LEFT IRELAND-COUNTY MAYO IN 1880 FROM BALLINA TO SCRANTON, PA. HE MARRIED CATHERINE BRENNAN FROM COUNTY SLIGO. IN 1890, HE SETTLED IN CHICAGO, IL. HIS FATHER WAS MARTIN MELVIN

It appears most of my relatives came from County Mayo in the early 1800s and first settled in the Old Forge, Minooka, Taylor areas of Scranton, Carbondale and surrounding areas. As a result of my research I have developed an extensive data base on my surnames and the associated families. In addition to the surnames above SHEA,LAVELLE, LAFFEY, STANTON, BELL, LAYDEN, GRIFFIN, LYNCH and many many more. I am willing to share my data. Walton J. Sullivan at wsullivw@aol.com


Looking for information concerning Patrick Melvin who married Ellen or Helen Gilligan in the 1820's. They had at least one child, a son named Mark Melvin who went to Dumbarton Scotland probably during the Great Hunger of the 1840's. Any information most appreciated.
Pat Donnelly


Thomas-Records from Mayo-Kilmoreroy Parish Death records- Nancy Melvin DOD 2 July 1827, 65 years, pluerisy.Kilmovee Parish Marriage Records-10 Feb 1810, Micheal Melvin and Bridget Flannery. Also Philip Cafferky and Mary Melvin 28 February 1813.Kilmovee Parish Marriage Records-4 June 1826 James Melvin and Bridget Walsh, witnesses William Melvin and Rev William Brady.3 March 1829 Catherine Melvin and John ODonnell, witnesses William melvin and Patrick Carroll.29 June 1848, Honor Melvin and John Flately, witnesses Micheal Flateely and John ?.Land League and Fenian Agitators 1881, List of Persons whose arrest is recomended under the Protectioon of Persons and Property Act,District of Ballina. Matthew Melvin of the Townland of Ballybroney, lives with father, farmer,active local land leader and fenian. From HC Bradbury's History of Luzerne County Pennsylvania, Martin Melvin born in Mayo 12 October 1847, son of John and Bridget (Dougher) Melvin, came to the US 4 September 1874.Married 24 June 1870 to Ann, daughter of Andrew and Margaret(Forrester)Cawley of Mayo. Also Patrick J Melvin DOB 13 March 1863 in Mayo, son of James and Bridget(Loftus) of Mayo, came to the US in 1864.
Pat Barry


I am looking for a MELVIN family who emigrated from Ireland to America before 1840. They appeared in 1840 U. S. Census in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence Co., NY. One member of family was John, but do not know whether that was the father or a son. Various written notes by family members list county from whence they came as Meade (phonetic spelling which I interpreted to be Meath) or Mayo. From books I have consulted, name Melvin was sometimes a translation from the Scotch BLEEHIN (various spellings) Possibly this family had come from Scotland originally. Would appreciate knowing if there is any record of this surname in County Meath.
Ella Winsbro


Ella: We have John Patrick MELVIN from Bunreagh, Co. Sligo (now Co. Mayo) on River Moy. He came to New York and joined the U.S. Marines in Civil War. Married and settled in Clinton, Iowa. He had "cousins" in Pennsylvania and Chicago. Our MELVINs came to Ireland from Mid-Lothian area of Scotland. Apparently family involved as active Presbyterians there. Our grandfather noted that a Jacque de Melville of France came to Scotland. We have no dates nor documentation on this, but I'm working on it! Check out the Melvin Surname List. M. Melvin Morrow
Maureen Morrow


I'm looking for facts very similar to those you want. I have a Sarah Melvin (born about 1810-1824, in either Sligo or Mayo, just possibly Donegal counties) and Peter Nelas (spelled various ways) from Co. Mayo, who I and a sister tracing Irish relatives think came through Ontario to Minnesota. Their daughter Sarah is a great grandmother, born in 1841, Ire. and who married in 1862 in St. Paul to Michael Rowan, Jr. Quite a few children, died 1925. But it's her mother and father we'd most like data on, when they came over, where they first lived and where exactly in Mayo they resided. Doubt if you could answer any of these but it would be interesting to know exactly where in Ontario yours landed, as well as in Minnesota, and what names and relationships they carried. Hope you answer, my e-mail gem@vermontel.net the easiest way. Wish I could add to your search but so far I'm unable to. Sincerely, George Murphy