The John Corcoran and Mary McDonough Family of Burren, County Mayo Ireland and Their Descendents that Journeyed from their Origins in County Mayo, Ireland to Chicago, Illinois, USA
John Corcoran and Mary McDonough had the following children baptized in Burrin or Burrin Bridge, Castlebar Roman Catholic Parish between the years of 1883 and 1900: Martin, Patrick Joseph, Anne, John and a Mary (in 1896 and 1900). The afformentioned children were all identified in item one of LDS microfilm number 1279212. Apparently another daughter, Bridget was born in 1882 (likely in another microfilm for this parish). Bridget Corcoran is the ancestor of "Jeff", a genealogist doing research on this family branch. I was able to identify this family in the church records and connect them with the 1901 and 1911 Ireland census records with the information that Jeff graciously provided. John is listed as a widower in the 1901 census so it is clear that Mary McDonagh died before the census was taken in 1901. Her mother, Anne McDonagh was living with John and their children in the 1901 census. Bridget, daughter of John Corcoran and Mary McDonough (according to Jeff) and evident in the 1911 Ireland census married John Tolan around 1906 and was listed as having 3 children, Maria, Norah and Bridget in this census. Jeff has identified the following children in this family: Maria, Honor (Norene), Delia, Johnny, Annie, William, Michael, Johnny, Annie, William, Kathleen, Martin and Patrick.
Jeff's grandmother created a family tree that documented Martin as being the father of John Corcoran. Deese Gene's Irish Genealogy website has a transcription from Ballyhean, (Castlebar) for the baptism of John son of Martin Corcoran and Bridget McHugh May 12, 1854, Burrin that Jeff feels may be the same John. There is also a baptismal record for Mary December 7, 1852 to this same family in Burrin. Aglish, Ballyhean and Breaghwy are three civil parishes that are included in Castlebar Roman Catholic Parish. Acquisition of the other castlebar films would be beneficial to find these and additional members of this family.
Bridget (aka Dell) eventually came to the United States, met, married Lawrence Hanson, and settled in the Chicago Illinois area. If you feel you have any connection with this Corcoran/Tolan family and its Castlebar Roman Catholic Parish, Burren, County Mayo Origins, we'd like to hear from you!
This is a work in progress and all findings should be confirmed with marriage, death, passenger list records among other genealogical records. Please use this information with that caveat in mind so that nothing is assumed and no stones are left unturned to assure it's your family and the connection is accurate.
| Type of Record/Church | Date | Husband/ Father | Wife/ Mother | Child/ Others | Notes/ Misc/ Townland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castlebar Roman Catholic Parish, County Mayo, Ireland Baptism | 10/28/1883 | Corcoran, John | McDonough, Mary | Martin | Townland Burrin |
| Castlebar RCP Baptism | 9/5/1888 | Corcoran, John | McDonough, Mary | Patrick Joseph | Burrin Bridge |
| Castlebar RCP Marriage | 10/14/1911 | Corcoran, Patrick Joseph | Malley, Margaret | RC Church Castlebar | |
| Castlebar RCP Baptism | 10/27/1891 | Corcoran, John | McDonough, Mary | Anne | Burren Bridge |
| Castlebar RCP Marriage | 3/27?/1914 | Corcorran, Anne | Lorde?, ? | Church of Castlebar | |
| Castlebar RCP Baptism | 11/12/1893 | Corcoran, John | McDonough, Mary | John | Burren Bridge |
| Castlebar RCP Baptism | 1/5/1896 | Corcoran, John | McDonough, Mary | Mary | Burren Bridge |
| Castlebar RCP Baptism | 10/3/1900 | Corcoran, John | McDonough, Mary | Mary | Burren Bridge |
| 1901 Ireland Census House 33 Burren, Mayo | 1901 | Corcoran, John, Head, 40, (Widower), Farmer b Mayo | McDonagh, Anne, 76 Mother in Law b Mayo, Housekeeper Widow; Bridget, Daughter 19 Domestic Housekeeper unmarried; Patrick, son 12 scholar, Anne, Daughter 9 scholar, John, son 7 scholar. | All children born in Mayo | |
| 1911 Ireland Census House 14, Burren, Mayo | 1911 | Tolan, John, Head 32, Married, Farmer b Mayo; | Tolan (Corcoran) Bridget, Wife 30 b Mayo; | Maria, Daughter 4, Norah Daughter 3, Bridget, Daughter, 2 all born in Mayo | They have 3 children, 3 living |