This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: bernie812 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.brannigan/214.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Jan, My greatgrandfather, John, was born abt1860 in Annagh to Francis Branigan & Catherine Morgan. John had only 2 siblings Mary & Bernard. He left Annagh and married Mary Daly abt1886-87, and raised a family in the town of Drumgristin. John's first-born was Francis John(B1887) and his second Michael(B1888-my grandfather) both emigrated to NYC 1905-1907. Most of my info comes from genealogical research done by a relative in Ireland. There is no mention of family members being in Edinburg in 1880s. So, although these may be different families, the question of whether we are distant relatives remains possible. Spelling.....I have seen my family name on records spelled Branagan, Branigan & Brannigan. The name is said to have originated as O'Branagain(including O'Branigee & O'Branighan as possible variations). In 1850s land records for southern Monaghan there is a long list of Branigans and the name is almost exclusively spelled Branigan. Yet, in the 1901/11 census there are all sorts of variations of the name in the same area. Since the census records can be viewed while the 1850s land record is a transcribed listing, I tend to think the 1850 listing is flawed. I found little evidence of our surname in land owner records from the 1600s, with the exception of an Owen O'Branigee. I'll be in touch if come acoss anything that may be your family. Regards Bernard Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.