This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: John_Eckersley Surnames: Fitzgerald Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.ireland.may.general/7971/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I have recently found out from the 1911 UK census that my Gran's family of Fitzgeralds came from Freeheen, Mayo Abbey, near Claremorris. My earliest known ancestor there is one Patrick Fitzgerald, Farmer. I descend from his son Henry b 1838 who married Margaret Murphy of Claremorris, daughter of John Murphy, Farmer and Bridget Walsh. It seems likely that this Patrick is the one listed for Freeheen in the Griffiths Valuation 1856-1857 along with two others Thomas and Laurence. There is a death record for a Patrick Fitzgerald of Freeheen, Farmer, widower, 17th Jan 1866 aged 64 (born c1802) where the informant is Alex Fitzgerald also of Freeheen. >From Mayo Abbey: "In Loving Memory Of ALEX FITZGERALD Of Mayo Abbey Post Office Who Died 1891 His Wife ELLEN Died 1939 Their Family BRIDGET Died 1896 MARGARET Died 1898 ELIZABETH Died 1904 HENRY Died 1906 EDWARD Died 1912 MARIE Died 1926 PAT Died 1956 R.I.P. " http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~deesegenes/mayoab.htm >From the birth records I have obtained I have found that Alexander Fitzgerald and Ellen Heneghan had more children than above; Patrick b1873 Freeheen William b1874 Freeheen Henry b1876 Freeheen Margaret b 1878 Freeheen Bridget b 1880 Freeheen Mary b1882 Freeheen Elizabeth b 1885 Mayo Abbey Edward b1887 Freeheen Thomas b1889 Freeheen In my family Henry Fitzgerald b1838 (my great great grandfather probably born Freeheen) and Margaret Murphy's children were; Patrick (Claremorris) Margaret (Claremorris) Mary (Claremorris) Edward Joseph b1873 (Widnes, Liverpool) Henry (Freeheen) Delia (christened Bridget) (Freeheen) On the 1911 census entry in Widnes, Liverpool, Edward Joseph b1873 and Margaret Mooney, my great grandparents had 5 children; Margaret Henry Edward Joseph Thomas William While Searching online for Fitzgeralds and Mayo Abbey I came across the following in the archives of the "Western People" newspaper (27 July 2005); EDDIE FITZGERALD, MAYO ABBEY AND AUGHRIM Eddie Fitzgerald (77), who died recently in Aughrim, Co. Wicklow was a native of Mayo Abbey. He was a Garda Sergeant in Aughrim for 35 years and retired to live there. News of his sudden death was received with much sadness in his home parish. Eddie was a member of a well known, prominent and greatly respected family in Mayo Abbey and was a brother of Willie Fitzgerald. He loved returning home to Mayo Abbey, which he tried to do every year, catching up with the local news, and, of course, always interested in how Mayo footballers were performing. He was very involved in the local community in Aughrim, having set up the local Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, served many years on the school board, loved the local GAA, and also loved his set dancing. Together with his colleagues from the Gardai, the above committees and local hotel staff formed a guard of honour as Eddie's remains were received the local church in Aughrim on Tuesday evening, 5th July, for burial in the local cemetery after Requiem Mass on Wednesday. He is survived by his wife Peg, daughter Martina and son Noel, brother Willie and family in Cullentragh, Mayo Abbey, relatives, neighbours and friends. http://archives.tcm.ie/westernpeople/2005/07/27/story26418.asp Given the populations of Freeheen and Mayo Abbey it seems likely that we are all related - but quite how at present remains a mystery. If anyone has any information or has any Fitzgerald contacts in the Freeheen/Mayo Abbey area I would be very pleased to share what information I have to see if we can find any further connections. John. 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.