“They Hailed From Donegal” – A Follow Up

In an earlier post entitled “They Hailed from Donegal” I wrote about my Sweeney family of Co. Donegal.  Shortly afterwards I posted an enquiry on  West Ulster Genealogy Face Book page hoping to find someone else who is researching this particular “crooked branch” of my family tree.  Within less than twenty four hours Boyd Gray, owner of the page and the West Ulster Genealogy website; had shared my blog post and better yet responded to my query.

James Baxter Sweeney and Fanny Robinson are my second great grandparents who lived in Garryharry, Co. Donegal.  They married at the very famous Ramelton Presbyterian Church on 10 May 1859.  The Church website states:  “There has been a Presbyterian witness in Ramelton since the 17^th century. Indeed in 1681, Francis Makemie left his home here to train for the ministry in Scotland before moving to the USA where he became known as the Father of American Presbyterianism.”

Their marriage record shows that James was from Garryharry and Fanny was from Ballyar.  Ballyarr is in the Parish of Tullyfern; two miles west of Ramelton and eight miles north of Letterkenny.

James Baxter Sweeney & Fanny Robinson

As always, with records in Ireland prior to 1901; it’s incredibly difficult to find older generations!  However, Griffiths Valuation records identified the exact spot where Fanny Robinson lived; and probably the house where she spent her last night before marrying James.  That discovery, along with a map of the property; proved that a photo I have in my possession is of the remains of my Robinson family home!

Fanny Robinson Family

Further Griffith Valuation records showed that my 3^rd great grandfather James “McSwyne”, father of James Baxter; held Plot 22 of 26 acres in Garrowcarry.  The property is situated in the Parish of Kilmacrenan; approximately six miles west of Letterkenny.  With the help of an Ordnance Survey and an ariel view of the property today; a discovery was made!  What looks like the original family homestead is still standing! Who is living in the ancestral home today; is it living family?  Yet another “twisted limb” to follow!

Sweeney Family Homestead

James Baxter Sweeney died in his late sixties on 16 Mar 1901; shortly before the Census was taken.  His Probate Record states: “Probate of the Will of James Baxter Sweeney late of Garryharry, Co. Donegal, Farmer who died 16 Mar 1901 granted at Londonderry to William J. Wilson and Samuel Russell Farmers.  Effects £77.  “Who are William J. Wilson and Samuel Russell?  As always more digging is required.  James’ burial record remains elusive as does Fanny’s death record.

James Baxter Sweeney Probate Record

In receiving all of this new information, and validating other information I had gleaned over the last several years; I thought “Christmas had come early”!  It would seem that the “season” wasn’t over just yet!

As Sweeney tends to be a predominately Roman Catholic surname and my Sweeney’s were Presbyterian, I was hoping they might be a little easier to find.  Their children were also baptized in the Letterkenny Presbyterian Church.  As James died in Garryharry, Louise Hamilton, owner of the East Donegal Local & Family History Face Book page; suggested that they might be buried in the Gortlee Cemetery which is a Presbyterian Cemetery in Letterkenny.  She also offered to go on a little excursion and check out the cemetery.  Although James and Fanny’s burial ground is unknown; some of my Sweeney’s are interred in the Gortlee Cemetery.

Buried in Gortlee Cemetery, Letterkenny are my great grand uncle John Sweeney, his wife Matilda Graham and three of their children.  In 1911, at the time the census was taken; the family was living in 16 Garrowcarry, Ednacarnan.  As Louise indicated, “It looks like the headstone has been recently erected and the names all added at the onetime”.

John Sweeney Family

So, the search continues for my living Sweeney family in Garryharry!

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