Holahan Brick Wall

[pholahan]

I have been researching my family tree for over 30 years and my biggest brick wall is my great grandfather, George Richard Holahan. His father was James Holahan who was born in Ireland around 1833 and his mother was Ellen Howard who was born in Clonaslee, Queens County, Ireland around 1835. Family lore indicates that George was born in Manchester, Lancashire and I have found birth dates from 1858 to 1862 indicated in various records in the US. I have searched Freebmd.org.uk, Freereg.org.uk, and Find My Past and have not found any records related to George. I have looked at alternate spelling of the last name, again with no luck. The family emigrated to the US between 1866 and 1868. Are there any additional resources that would help me locate the birth/Baptismal records for George, or any hints to help me in my search? Any information would be much appreciated. Thank you! Peter Holahan

[Pam Downes]

Welcome to British-Genealogy, Peter.

Some quick questions.

Where and when did James and Ellen marry?
Have you found any other children born in either Ireland and England for them?
Do you have the family in the 1870 (and later) US census, and if so, what are their details?
I don't know what details are given on US death certificates. Do you have George's, and are there are clues on it?
Ditto also for George's marriage certificate.

[christanel]

Is this your family?
1870 US census
Town Hurley, county of Ulster, State of new York
James Hallihan 40 Stone Cutter born Ireland
Ellen Hallihan 40 Keeping house born Ireland
George Hallihan 11 at home born New York

All the male heads of family on this page appear to be quarry workers.

In the 1880 census, as Holahan, James 49 and Ellen 46,they are in Brooklyn, George age 22, a stone cutter like hisfather and now born England
No other children with James and Ellen on either census

James' died 30 January 1907 and in his obituary George is given the middle initial R. He is also George R on his own gravestone.

Christina

[christanel]

There is nothing on the Lancashire OPC site for a baptism for George or the GRO index for births where you can enter the mother's maiden name. Both are free but you have to sign up for the GRO index.
Christina

[pholahan]

Welcome to British-Genealogy, Peter.

Some quick questions.

Where and when did James and Ellen marry?
Have you found any other children born in either Ireland and England for them?
Do you have the family in the 1870 (and later) US census, and if so, what are their details?
I don't know what details are given on US death certificates. Do you have George's, and are there are clues on it?
Ditto also for George's marriage certificate.

Hello Pam, unfortunately I have been unable to find a record of Lames and Ellen's marriage. According to a US Census record, Ellen had 3 children with only 1 living. The 1970 US Census is the first record I have of the family. They were living in Hurley NY where James was a stone cutter in a local quarry. This quarry provided the blue stone that was used to pave the New York City streets. I have census records every 10 years up to George's death in 1944. The only exception is the 1890 US Census which is not available.George's death cert states that he was born 22 June 1857 in England. Both his parents were born in Ireland.

[pholahan]

Is this your family?
1870 US census
Town Hurley, county of Ulster, State of new York
James Hallihan 40 Stone Cutter born Ireland
Ellen Hallihan 40 Keeping house born Ireland
George Hallihan 11 at home born New York

All the male heads of family on this page appear to be quarry workers.

In the 1880 census, as Holahan, James 49 and Ellen 46,they are in Brooklyn, George age 22, a stone cutter like hisfather and now born England
No other children with James and Ellen on either census

James' died 30 January 1907 and in his obituary George is given the middle initial R. He is also George R on his own gravestone.

Christina

Yes, these were my ancestors.

[Pamelawagster]

This is a very long shot!

Birth reg

George
**Horahan
Birth quarter 1
Birth year 1859
MMN - *Howe*
Manchester
Lancashire
England
Volume 8D
Page 274

[pholahan]

This is a very long shot!

Birth reg

George
**Horahan
Birth quarter 1
Birth year 1859
MMN - *Howe*
Manchester
Lancashire
England
Volume 8D
Page 274

That is a long shot worth taking! I'll order the certificate...thank you.

[Pam Downes]

That is a long shot worth taking! I'll order the certificate...thank you.

I presume you know you can order a black and white PDF copy for GBP7?
https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/c...ates/login.asp
(Which is where you should order all certificates from.)

[pholahan]

I presume you know you can order a black and white PDF copy for GBP7?
https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/c...ates/login.asp
(Which is where you should order all certificates from.)

Yes, thank you!