Seaching Dinan and McGrath/McGraw roots

[Jimbo1801]

The Dinan Family in the United States is searching for information on their Irish forebears. John Dinan, born in County Clare in 1811, was the son of David (or possibly Daniel) Dinan and Catherine Kenny (dates unknown). Griffith’s Valuation leads us to believe he may have been born and lived in townland of Rahena Beg, Parish of Ogonnelloe, Scarriff Union, in East Clare. John Dinan married Mary McGrath (McGraw) at a date unknown. Mary is said to have been born in 1813 and may have come from Clare or possibly County Cork. Her father is believed to be Michael McGrath and mother Bridget (surname not known) (dates unknown). A son, John M. Dinan, was born and baptized Roman Catholic on 19 February 1854 in Ferrybank Parish, Slieverue District, County Kilkenny [Ferrybank is a Civil Parish in Kilculliheen, County Waterford but belongs to the Catholic Parish of Slieverue, County Kilkenny]. John, Mary, and John M. Dinan immigrated to the United States in 1856 and settled and lived in Cass County, Michigan. Mary McGrath Dinan died in 1883 and John Dinan died in 1898. John M. Dinan died in 1936.

Matthew Dinan (ca. 1824-1894) who also immigrated to Michigan and settled with his wife, Anna Hiel (1835-aft. 1900) in the Detroit area, may have been a nephew of David (or Daniel) Dinan. This Matthew Dinan was the son of Matthew Dinan and Mary (surname and dates unknown).

John Dinan (1811 - 1898) is listed in the 1860, 1870, and 1880 US Federal census' for Cass Co, Michigan. A death notice/obituary printed in the Niles (Michigan) Daily Star for 5th May 1898, stated that John Dinan died this morning. "for 40 years a highly respected farmer of Cass and Burrien Counties and for 2 years a citizen of Niles (city). He was survived by a wife and 3 sons and a sister, Mrs Margaret Mannix. (We have no information on Mrs Mannix)

Note: the transcribed 1827 County Clare Tithe Applotment Book lists: David (possibly 2 indiduals), James, Matthew, and Widow Dinan living in the Townland of Rahineabeg, Parish Ogonnelloe. Also, the Original printed 1855 Griffith's Valuation for the Parish of Ogonnelloe, Townland of Rahena Beg, lists David and John Dinan as occupiers on the land of Simon G Purdon - Landlord (Griffith's index: Map ref. Ord. S. 20 & 37) (postions on page: 9 & 12, Act 15&16, Sheet Number 29,37, Map ref 1 - Source: Http://griffiths.askaboutireland.ie...)

Note: Dinan variants include: Dunon and O'Dinan and are anglicized form of Gaelic 'O'Daghnain. Also, occasionally a synonym of Dineen. Mostly found in Co Cork and Clare.

[canuckmuse]

I've researched a Matthew Dinan (1823-1894) as my third great maternal grandfather. He was born in Fermanagh, Ireland and died in Napier, Ontario, Canada.

He married (1842) Dorthea Dolly Brunt in Cloghan, Ireland. They together had many children.

Is it possible that this could be the same Matthew Dinan whom you mentioned as having been born in 1824?

I've unfortunately no information regarding his ancestry.

[Jimbo1801]

Wow and double wow! The "off the top of my head" reply is I don't know. But I will look into it and notify my cousin who is also looking into our Dinan line and we will get back to you.

In the meantime, do you have any documentation on Matthew i.e. copies of Birth, baptism, marriage, or death records, census, Will, church membership, etc. or possibly a photo?

This is very exciting, thank you for replying. I have been off researching other lines lately and cannot remember details of Matthew, so rather than jump to conclusions, let us research our data and see if it appears this could be the same Matthew.

Jim Bouck
Melbourne, Fl. USA
jimbo1741@hotmail.com

[Jimbo1801]

Sorry this thread got lost in a mountain of other projects. I did double check your data and conferred with my cousin and we are quite certain this is not the correct Matthew. Thanks for the reply. Jim

[Jimbo1801]

Sorry this thread got lost in a mountain of other projects. I did double check your data and conferred with my cousin and we are quite certain this is not the correct Matthew. Thanks for the reply. Jim