McGonigle Relatives in Belvidere
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FACTS and ASSOCIATED LINKS TO OUR FAMILY:
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1881 and the Francis McGonigles along with Wm. McGonigle, John McGonigle, Miles McGonigle, Ed Brennan and his wife Bridget, a sister of Kate (Murrin), were in Leadville. John McGonigle was a known relative who was already living in Belvidere.
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Our ancestors, Kate and Francis were married in 1875. Francis listed his age as 25, and Kate Murrin listed her age as being 26. This would have made him born either in 1850 or 1851. |
| According to his funeral announcement (in our site), he was born June 15, 1851. He came to America at age 19, was introduced to his future wife by his cousin John, and 6 years was married. |
St. James Cemetery Listing (Murrins also buried here): McGonigle Francis (father) - born in 1851, and his death was recorded as being 17 Jul 1930. His cemetery records noted that he was married in 1875. McGonigle Catherine (Murrin, although the records didn't record her maiden name correctly - it is reflected as Alwin, which if written could be mistaken for Murrin). Her birth record is shown as 1852. Her death was noted as 31 Mar 1916 . Additional records, show that she is buried with Francis, in addition to "mother". |
Miles was an unusual first name, so it easy to begin with him. Miles McGonigle was 13 years old (says he was an orphan) when he moved to America. Their family tradition says he was born in Towney, which is a small town in Kilcar Parish, County Donegal. Kilcar is next door to Upper Killybegs parish. Miles McGonigle's family myth says Miles smuggled himself onboard ship. Our family history suggests Francis McGonigle worked his way on a ship to America. At some point these McGonigle's got together in Colorado.
I found several instances of articles detailing how people would travel back and forth these two parishes to visit other relatives. So it is very likely the McGonigle family of Killybegs also had relatives in Kilcar.
There is only one entry for a Myles or Miles McGonigle that I could find living in County Donegal during the mid-nineteenth century. This person lived in Killybegs town. A Peter McGonigle lived just outside the city limits, probably within a mile but not more than 2 miles. Nearby lived a Patrick and Francis McGonigle. Patrick had a son named 'Francis' too. The Tithe Applotment of 1832 lists a Francis McGonigle living in Gortamuck, which is a region just west of Killybegs. Gortamuck is not a townland but I was able to find this region on one of my maps.
Tim's hypothesis is that he believes
that Peter and Patrick were brothers, and that Francis was their father.
The elder Myles McGonigle noted in the records may have been a brother or cousin
to Francis.