Tom - Chris Bodor here, I got your note: Tom Fitzsimmons wrote: > Has anyone ever had a bottle of Chateau Kirwan? No, can't say I have, but if you find it, I'll help you drink it, (and toast the Kirwans)! Thanks for the note. Chris Bodor son-in-law of a Kirwan

In a message dated 8/13/98 10:31:14 AM, you wrote: <<Teressa Kirwain, female, age 55, lodger, born NS, parents born NS, catholic, pauper, unsound mind. ------------------------------------------------->> By jiminy!! Now I know where the family "problem" comes from -- all the Kirwin women are slightly wierd --or so I have heard. And before you all jump on me -- I, too, am a Kirwin woman. Regarding the convicts -- I've seen these lists at the library and it struck me as very sad to see young people who were, no doubt, poor and very hungry -- being sentenced so harshly for stealing bread or clothing. It is also good to note that our parole system is nothing new -- prisoners have always been released early and/or pardoned. On the very bright side -- being shipped off to America(if they survived the trip)was probably the luckiest thing that could have happened to them -- those who went to Bermuda ?? well!! For Kirwins of note (Kirwans, etc.), please look at the state of Kansas. There is a town and a reservoir and a wild life preserve, all named for an officer in the Union Army named John Kirwin(Kerwin/Kirwan). The wild life preserve, etc. were probably named for the fort which once stood there -- I believe they drowned everything with a dam (lake). This John Kirwin was a professional soldier and made quite a name for himself. This is all off the top of my head, so will look up facts and send them on. I thought he might be my John Kirwin, but -- don't think so. Check it out! For real fun look at the spellings on the map -- Kirwin dam and Kirwan wildlife preserve. Love it, love it. Carole (Kerwin)Shanahan

> 1) Where are you today, actually, geographically? Earthquake California (yesterdays was 5.4. I never felt a thing). > 2) What are your Kirwin lines Mary KIRWAN born 10 Jan 1829 Ireland, married Edward DRUHAN in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, died 15 Aug 1923 Mayfield, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. > 3) How long have you been researching About 6 years but no serious researching on the KIRWAN line. > 4) How did you get interested in family history My mun-in-law sent me a copy of some pages that a relative gave her of work she had done on her Nova Scotia families, (MacDonald, MacKinnon, MacEachern, MacPherson, MacFarlane, Druhan, Carver, MacDonnell, Murphy), after she went to a reunion in Nova Scotia. > 5) Where are you stuck In Nova Scotia, Canada. > 6) Whaddaya think of the idea all Kirwin's are descended from Noah's > son, Japheth Say what? > 7) How can we best pass along our interest in family history to > forthcoming generations 1)Take them to the places where they lived and died, have them help you search for records and then put it all together in a book, with pictures of: their ancestors, the houses where they lived, gravestones, histories of the area, obits, maps, land records, census records, passenger lists, naturalization records, written oral histories of those you remember and what you remember about them, and written oral histories of those others remember and what they remember about them. There will be spots of information that will be missing from your completed books. Keep inviting them to help you find the missing info. Do books for living relatives - for example, do one for your mother and do one for your father, with all their ancestors. Your honor of your parents may inspire them to one day honor you.2) Volunteer at a Family History Center or Genealogical Society. Let them see you in action. (Children tend to be, and want to be,"just like us!") > 8) Anyone willing to share some good interview questions or techniques > to get our elders to tell all I found the best way is to get a census page with them on it (or their parents), then start asking them about the neighbors (the names on the census pages next to and all around their family on the same street). > 9) What are your favorite KIRWIN research internet links Haven't seen any > 10) Anyone know of books written on the Kirwins? Not totally. I have seen chapters on them in books on fiche in the Family History Center. Judith Manley <JudithM@sj.bigger.net>

Hi all you Irish! My grandmother mother spelled her name Kerwin, my mother spelled it Kirwin, some Irish spell it Kirwan -- but I found tombstones near Waterford with Kirwin on them. So -- the Irish not only didn't know their birthdates, they didn't know how to spell very well either. Never-the-less, a trip to Ireland is a trip to paradise. I've driven from Dublin to Shannon, would like to walk it some day -- doubt that I will however. Getting too old. My Kerwins are Bev's Kerwins, but I spell Catherine with a "C" (Catherine Kennedy) and Catherine's death certificate says she was born in Wilton Center, Illinois. So, it's John W. Kirwin (Kirwan/Kirwin) b. Ireland or Canada in 1845 d. Wichita, Kansas in 1888; m. Catherine Kennedy b. Wilton Center, Illinois maybe a wee bit earlier than John W. d. Wichita, Kansas 1905. John W. is found in the Joliet. Illinois Census for 1850 with father John ,mother Bridget and several siblings.John W. and Catherine moved to Kansas sometime in the 1870's and my grandmother was born there, in Hodgeman County, Kansas on 10 August 1878. I became interested in my family history before I was married in 1950, but never had the time or wherewithal to pursue the hobby until 14 months ago, when I decided time was running short -- and I purchased a great computer. I am very fortunate in that I live a few miles from one of the best genealogy libraries in California and also within an hour's drive from the National Archives at Laguna Niguel, California. There are also several LDS Family History Centers nearby -- don't neglect those. I found Kerwins in New Hampshire in early 1800's and there were several infant John Kerwins - Kirwans in ship records, but there is no connection yet. I believe my Kerwins came to Canada first. since my great grandfather John W. said he was born in Vermont in a later census -- some Vermont territory moved back and forth between countries for a while and his father said he was John W. was born in Canada. All in all, I have found many records on all my families and have spent much time looking for what they did, how they lived, their religion, occupation, etc. -- which is more important to me than which ship they came over on. By the way, my son had an Irish teacher who said Kirwin (Kirwan/Kerwin) meant cowshed or cow keeper in Gaelic -- could be. My grand daughter is named Erin, which we all know means "Peace". Carole (Kirwan/Kerwin/Kirwin)Conner Gaskill Beckner Shanahan

I have really enjoyed the posts today and for the first time, got a sense of how the list will take on a life of its own as you all make it your own list! All I can say is that there is clearly something special about this gene pool! I like the senses of humor I am seeing and I love the sharing that is beginning. We are up to 24 members today - slower than yesterday but still growing. Always fell free to let me know what you notice needs shifting or change; this is very much a learning exercise for me! So far, all of you have subscribed correctly, the only glitch I have seen is a couple of places where folks tried to post to the same address as the subscription address...sooooo, FYI, you subscribe or unsubscribe at KIRWIN-L-request@rootsweb.com you post to KIRWIN-L@rootsweb.com (the word "request" only has to do with subscribing or unsubscribing) "see" you tomorrow1 Jana

reply to <jbk42@earthlink.net> Hello Fellow "Special K's", I have in front of me the Wayne Co. Township of Spencerville, MI 1880 Census. William Kirwin 52 yrs. Born IRL, works R.R. or K.R. Elizabeth Kirwin(Kelly) 39 yrs. Born IRL, keeping house. Mary J. Kirwin 29 yrs. Single. Born NY, at home. Of course her natural mother is unknown. Gives some clue to her father's migration yet am told he came from Canada. William Kirwin 18 yrs. Born MI, works somewhere, cannot make it out. Single. George H. Kirwin(my GGrandfather) 15 yrs. Born MI. In his 1st marriage, or whatever, he had 2 sons. His 2cd marriage was to Catherine Barrett, my GGrandmother b IRL 1876. George died in 1919 and was a yardmaster on the R.R. I believe he changed the spelling to Kerwin, unless I've been at fault all my 42 yrs., as to how to spell my surname. One of his and Catherine's children is Terrance, my grandfather, b1901 in Toledo, OH and died 1970. Ann Kirwin 10 yrs. Born MI James Kirwin 8 yrs. Born MI Terry Kirwin 5 yrs. Born MI Maggie Kirwin 3 yrs. Born MI If anyone knows of Colleen Kerwin Bach, a descendent of George Kirwin's 1st two sons, PLEASE let me know, for I am told she is well aware of her ancestors. She is a cousin of mine's and myself, well, our brick wall. We know nothing before William Kirwin of IRL. Perhaps this new list will connect a family. Good luck to you all! Respectfully, John Barrett Kerwin Toledo,OH

This is a test -- computer is refusing to take address.

Hey Randy, How do we get to the Kirwans on your page? I saw the name but couldn't find a link? Jana Randy Dotson wrote: > Hello All! Glad to see a list on the KIRWANS. > > I am helping research my wifes' family KIRWAN while researching my own. > I am looking for any ancestors or information on James KIRWAN b. 1879 > Galway Ireland, d. Aug 6, 1941, m. Katherine BERGIN b. 1879?, d. May 20, > 1940. > > Any other info on the Kirwan Family would be appreciated. > > On my web page I have some of the KIRWAN clan. > > http://www.geocities.com/heartland/4030/index.html > > Enjoy. > > Randy Dotson

Here is what has been helpful for me (in no particular order) http://www.emigrant.ie/ http://mail.mayo-ireland.ie/WebX?14@^1320@.ee6b2a8 http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/4404/temp.html http://www.mayo-ireland.ie/Geneal/Galway.htm http://www.bess.tcd.ie/roots_ie.htm http://www.irish-insight.com/a2z-genealogy/ http://genealogy.org/~ajmorris/ireland/ireemg1.htm http://freespace.virgin.net/alan.tupman/sites/irish.htm http://www-icdl.open.ac.uk:80/icdl/database/europe/unitedki/insthera/inst/ and for fun http://www.irishbooks.com/books.html http://www.irish-music.net/ also I just finished a great historical novel about the tragedies and national passion of the Irish. Called The BigWind, by Beatrice Coogan, ISBN#1-57098-031-4, ($14.95 in paper USA) it covers the three disasters (the big wind, the famine and the evacuations) that hit Ireland in the 19th century and caused the mass emigrations of the people to the New World. Lots of family names you will recognize are mentioned with brief indications of why they emigrated... It is based upon 15 years of historical research yet is written with enough romance and intrigue to keep the pages turning... great lazy August reading at 684 pages... Jana

Hello All! Glad to see a list on the KIRWANS. I am helping research my wifes' family KIRWAN while researching my own. I am looking for any ancestors or information on James KIRWAN b. 1879 Galway Ireland, d. Aug 6, 1941, m. Katherine BERGIN b. 1879?, d. May 20, 1940. Any other info on the Kirwan Family would be appreciated. On my web page I have some of the KIRWAN clan. http://www.geocities.com/heartland/4030/index.html Enjoy. Randy Dotson

this is why this list is good - I get my own stories straightened from my favorite relatives! LeotaG@aol.com wrote: > Hi, Jana, > Just read your item on Patrick. I think Patrick worked on the railroad after > he went West. He was there when the rails met--he was working from the East > and there were crews working from the West. I can't remember when the two > sides met, but I think they drove a gold spike in for the last one. My memory > isn't clear about this, but I remember Mama telling about it. It was a big, > big day in their lives. > > I'm going to enjoy this list!! > > LeotaG@aol.com

Ha! Your point is well taken! I always heard tho' that those who took on the Kirwin spelling did so because they knew they were unique and wanted to stand apart from the Kirwans who are as plentious to Ireland as the Smiths and Jones are to the USA :? In my case, the "unique" spelling has at least been consistent in all research so it has made the search a tad bit easier! On the other hand, I learned from a very helpful Kirwan in Ireland that many Irish never knew their birthdates (Christening dates were considered more important) thus commonly merely "chose" either St. Paddy's Day, Christmas Day or New Year's Day as the date for official paperwork stateside... so if, like me, you have one of those three dates as your ancestor's birthdate, you may have a bit more work to do! Thanks for offering the enthusiasm and a wry bit of Irish humor to boot! Jana Black Chris and Kathy Kirwan wrote: > All right, let's let one of the Kirwans who can spell his name right get > this going. My great grandfather Michael Kirwan was born in 1865 at > Killeagh, in the District of Aughrim, Co. Wicklow. > His father Thomas worked in the mines near Avoca. His mother Catherine > (Byrne) > also had sons Thomas (1864), James (1859), and Philip (1867). I have so > far been > unable to find a record of the marriage, death, or birth of Thomas > Kirwan and > Catherine Byrne. I do know that Michael and Philip emigrated to Boston > in > 1891, and that Thomas and James wound up in Foxrock, Co. Dublin. I also > have > learned that Philip returned to Ireland for a visit in 1926, to visit > his > brothers in Foxrock. I also know from photos which he took that he > visited > Shillelagh, in the South of Co. Wicklow, and took pictures of a cottage > believed > to be near there. > I do have records of many "other" Kirwans that I've come across in my > research (as well as a few of those poor relations, the Kirwins, > Kerwins, and other lesser branches of the family). All kidding aside, > I'll try to match the info I have with your postings to come. > > Chris Kirwan

A chairde, am looking for any information that folks may have on the following person. unfortunately my family have all passed on and left me no clues to who i am. any help would be greatly appreciated. William Michael Kirwan (Kerwin, Kirwin) b)15 June, 1848 Western Eire d) 14 december, 1890 Jackson, Michigan USA Married) Mary Griffin Go raibh maith agat T. Kirwan

Hello KIRWIN/KERWIN/KERWANs I live in Wichita, KS. I haven't been researching the Kerwins very long but want very much to learn a lot more, than I do now, about them. I got interested in family history simply because family means a lot to me. My husband and I are both researching our surnames and we have two of our children who help us with it as much as they can. It seems to intrigue them as much as it does us. We recently paid for their membership in a local genealogy society, they are excited about it. Knowing who we are and where we came from can't be found in a history book, we have to write our own history. As we all know that means we have to dig and piece together as much info as we can in order to do this. It is sort of a legacy and a responsibility to give to our descendants all that we can. It's far more interesting to read about someone who was related to you then to read about some total stranger. Over the intenet I found a cousin in CA, Hi Carole, and we are learning from each other. I am interested in any research internet links that anyone might know of, but I don't know of any books written on the KIRWINS. My KERWIN information begins with: GGGfather John W. KIRWIN b. IL m. Katherine Kenedy b. Donnelson, IA m. Joliet,IL in 1864. Don't know when they moved to KS, they are both buried in Wichita. GGfather John Francis KERWIN b. 1869 in Quincy, IL d. 1942 in Wichita, KS. m. Katharina Louise KREHBIEL b. 1867 in Donnelson, IA. d. 1938 in Wichita, KS. Gfather Clifford Arthur MELLINGTON b. 1887 in Independence, KS d. 1964 in Wichita, KS m. Della Barbara KERWIN b. 1898 in Pretty Prairie, KS d. 1949 in Wichita, KS. John Francis KERWIN and Katherina Louise KREHBIEL had 4 other children: William (Bill), John R., Grover, and Helen Louise KERWIN. I don't know my ancestors any further back then knowing that somewhere they had to have come from IRELAND. That's where I am stuck! I don't know if this will help anybody but I hope it does and we can share information and maybe find a relationship somewhere. I like this idea of a KERWIN list, has good possibilities. Beverly

All right, let's let one of the Kirwans who can spell his name right get this going. My great grandfather Michael Kirwan was born in 1865 at Killeagh, in the District of Aughrim, Co. Wicklow. His father Thomas worked in the mines near Avoca. His mother Catherine (Byrne) also had sons Thomas (1864), James (1859), and Philip (1867). I have so far been unable to find a record of the marriage, death, or birth of Thomas Kirwan and Catherine Byrne. I do know that Michael and Philip emigrated to Boston in 1891, and that Thomas and James wound up in Foxrock, Co. Dublin. I also have learned that Philip returned to Ireland for a visit in 1926, to visit his brothers in Foxrock. I also know from photos which he took that he visited Shillelagh, in the South of Co. Wicklow, and took pictures of a cottage believed to be near there. I do have records of many "other" Kirwans that I've come across in my research (as well as a few of those poor relations, the Kirwins, Kerwins, and other lesser branches of the family). All kidding aside, I'll try to match the info I have with your postings to come. Chris Kirwan

Looking for more, about Elizabeth Kirwan; b. 9-22-1855, Wicklow IR d. 7-20-1916, Chicago immigrated to US from Wicklow IR. 1866, possibly with brothers Michael and Thomas. All lived in Chicago, IL. Married - 5-16-1876 to Patrick Kerwin. Patrick Kerwin; b. 8-1-1855, St. Louis Missouri d. 6-17-1910, Chicago Most interested in Irish clues; but any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all mmbuky@msn.com

OK, don't be shy, on your marks, get set, start posting! Let's see who we are and what we can offer each other... How about answering any or all of these questions: 1) Where are you today, actually, geographically? 2) What are your Kirwin lines ( you can use the simple format for example: KIRWIN, PATRICK, b. 17 March 1801, Dublin>USA, 1848>Indiana, ~1855>Kansas, ~1870>Oklahoma, ~1905, etc.) 3) How long have you been researching 4) How did you get interested in family history 5) Where are you stuck 6) Whaddaya think of the idea all Kirwin's are descended from Noah's son, Japheth 7) How can we best pass along our interest in family history to forthcoming generations 8) Anyone willing to share some good interview questions or techniques to get our elders to tell all 9) What are your favorite KIRWIN research internet links 10) Anyone know of books written on the Kirwins? To post to both KIRWIN-L and KIRWIN-D, messages should be sent to KIRWIN-L@rootsweb.com. Messages sent there will appear both places. Jana Black Listowner, KIRWIN-L

Hi, Jana, I was just reading something you may be interested in. I found it at http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlwat/instruct.htm : United States of America A New York genealogist, B-Ann Moorhouse, made use of federal and state censuses, marriage and death records, naturalization records, directories, passenger lists, probate records, cemetery inscriptions and death notices in newspapers to research 400 Irish-born and their descendants who resided in Brooklyn, New York during the 19th century. Regarding clues to place of origin in Ireland, she found death notices in the local Brooklyn newspapers of the time to be of most value, as they consistently gave the exact place of origin of the Irish-born. In another case, the will of William Ferguson, dated 1873, in mentioning a farm his sister had left to him in Ballygarvey in Rathaspick Parish, County Westmeath, identified the Irish origins of this Brooklyn merchant. The U.S.A. has comprehensive passenger lists for ships arriving from 1820, but, unfortunately they provide only two clues relating to the origin of the emigrant -- the port of departure of the ships and the nationality of the passenger. This is of limited value when it is realized that the vast majority of Iprovide only two clues relating to the origin of the emigrant -- the port of departure of the ships and the nationality of the passenger. This is of limited value when it is realized that the vast majority of Irish emigrants in the 19th ce No official registers of passengers leaving Irish ports in the 19th century were kept except for a brief period, 1803-06. Among the business records of two Londonderry firms, J & J Cooke for the year 1847 to 1867, and William McCorkell & Co., 1863 to 1871, passenger lists recording the residence of 27,495 emigrants in Ireland have survived. The major destinations of the passengers carried by these firms were New York and Philadelphia in the U.S., and Quebec and St. John, New Brunswick in Canada. The Ordnance Survey compilers recorded the names, ages, religion and townland addresses of emigrants for many parishes in Counties Antrim and Londonderry for a few years during the period 1833 to 1839. Again, Canada and the U.S. were the major destinations of these emigrants. These two sources have now been indexed and published by the Genealogical Publishing Company of Baltimore. In Colonial America the Land Patent Books of Virginia, the registers of indentured servants in Pennsylvania, and petitions for land grants in Maryland and South Carolina identify many recently arrived immigrants. A census has been taken every ten years in the U.S. since 1790, and from 1850 the returns provide the country of birth and age of all members of the household, not just the head of household. Tombstone inscriptions should be sought out. In St. Mary's Cemetery in Lee, Massachusetts, the following inscription can be found: "John Dooley, a native of the town of Leabeg, parish of Ferbane, King's County, died August 14 1863 aged 53 years." King's County is new renamed Offaly. Naturalization records are another useful source. On April 1839, for example, John Austin aged 26, giving his place of birth as County Leitrim, declared his intention before Franklin County Court at St. Albans, Vermont to become a U.S. citizen. I don't think our family has checked out the newspaper obit for Patrick. LeotaG@aol.com

Hi, Jana, I was just reading something you may be interested in. I found it at http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlwat/instruct.htm : United States of America A New York genealogist, B-Ann Moorhouse, made use of federal and state censuses, marriage and death records, naturalization records, directories, passenger lists, probate records, cemetery inscriptions and death notices in newspapers to research 400 Irish-born and their descendants who resided in Brooklyn, New York during the 19th century. Regarding clues to place of origin in Ireland, she found death notices in the local Brooklyn newspapers of the time to be of most value, as they consistently gave the exact place of origin of the Irish-born. In another case, the will of William Ferguson, dated 1873, in mentioning a farm his sister had left to him in Ballygarvey in Rathaspick Parish, County Westmeath, identified the Irish origins of this Brooklyn merchant. The U.S.A. has comprehensive passenger lists for ships arriving from 1820, but, unfortunately they provide only two clues relating to the origin of the emigrant -- the port of departure of the ships and the nationality of the passenger. This is of limited value when it is realized that the vast majority of Iprovide only two clues relating to the origin of the emigrant -- the port of departure of the ships and the nationality of the passenger. This is of limited value when it is realized that the vast majority of Irish emigrants in the 19th ce No official registers of passengers leaving Irish ports in the 19th century were kept except for a brief period, 1803-06. Among the business records of two Londonderry firms, J & J Cooke for the year 1847 to 1867, and William McCorkell & Co., 1863 to 1871, passenger lists recording the residence of 27,495 emigrants in Ireland have survived. The major destinations of the passengers carried by these firms were New York and Philadelphia in the U.S., and Quebec and St. John, New Brunswick in Canada. The Ordnance Survey compilers recorded the names, ages, religion and townland addresses of emigrants for many parishes in Counties Antrim and Londonderry for a few years during the period 1833 to 1839. Again, Canada and the U.S. were the major destinations of these emigrants. These two sources have now been indexed and published by the Genealogical Publishing Company of Baltimore. In Colonial America the Land Patent Books of Virginia, the registers of indentured servants in Pennsylvania, and petitions for land grants in Maryland and South Carolina identify many recently arrived immigrants. A census has been taken every ten years in the U.S. since 1790, and from 1850 the returns provide the country of birth and age of all members of the household, not just the head of household. Tombstone inscriptions should be sought out. In St. Mary's Cemetery in Lee, Massachusetts, the following inscription can be found: "John Dooley, a native of the town of Leabeg, parish of Ferbane, King's County, died August 14 1863 aged 53 years." King's County is new renamed Offaly. Naturalization records are another useful source. On April 1839, for example, John Austin aged 26, giving his place of birth as County Leitrim, declared his intention before Franklin County Court at St. Albans, Vermont to become a U.S. citizen. I don't think our family has checked out the newspaper obit for Patrick. LeotaG@aol.com

Hi, Jana, Just read your item on Patrick. I think Patrick worked on the railroad after he went West. He was there when the rails met--he was working from the East and there were crews working from the West. I can't remember when the two sides met, but I think they drove a gold spike in for the last one. My memory isn't clear about this, but I remember Mama telling about it. It was a big, big day in their lives. I'm going to enjoy this list!! LeotaG@aol.com