|
“The Geneal Geologist” |
This
synopsis reviewed and fully updated by “The Geneal Geologist”, January 2019
As far as this researcher is aware,
there is no ongoing Y-DNA (male chromosome) study for those with the LOWNEY
surname. The recent exponential increase in interest for atDNA testing
through companies such as Ancestry, FTDNA, MyHeritage, 23andMe and others, means
that there is a growing wealth of autosomal DNA available to support the
paper trail. This researcher is using atDNA to verify and validate the family
history of the LOWNEYs through the analysis tools on sharing database GEDmatch, where it is free to
register and upload your DNA data from whichever testing company has been
used. The reference kit for the study on GEDmatch
is A663439 which has a proven
maternal LOWNEY line in Clonakilty, descended from the Filane LOWNEY families
discussed below. To be included, simply provide your GEDmatch kit number to
this researcher and you will be added to the written reports that are issued
periodically to participants. Updates are also provided on the “My Irish
Genealogy” Research Blog. Experience indicates that to be able
to match a paper trail to atDNA in West Cork generally will require a genetic
distance of less than 4 (i.e. closer than shared 2x great grandparents and a
relationship rarely greater than 3rd cousins) and more than 40 cM
of shared DNA, preferably over multiple segments. There are exceptions. The
reasons for this are that church records do not exist prior to the earliest
parts of the C19th and the number of generations born between then and the
modern era. If you have a proven connection to the LOWNEYs from this area but
have less matching atDNA, you can still join in as some of your data may
prove to match others in the database. So far, the study indicates that all
the LOWNEYs have some genetics in common which brings weight to the story of
their origins.
Family History Part
1: Origins of the Family Name Records indicate that most of the
C19th family name is focused around Castletownbere (Beara Peninsula) in SW
County Cork or in SW Ireland in general. Tales suggest that the family
members were part of the O'Sullivan Bere clan that fled the SW after the
defeat of the Catholic Irish and their Spanish allies at the Battle of
Kinsale at the hands of English Crown forces. The Battle of Kinsale started
on 17 Oct 1601 with 3400 Spanish soldiers under the command of Aquilla
supported by O'Sullivan Bere, O'Driscoll and the O'Connors of Kerry. After Aquilla surrendered on 12 Jan
1602 the four Spanish-defended O’Sullivan castles along the Beare Peninsula
on the SW Coast were handed over. Donal Cam, chieftain of the O'Sullivan Bere
Clan and his supporters fled north east. A number reportedly resettled in the
Laune river valley in County Kerry (pronounced lown),
and when they finally returned to the Castletownbere area were known as
LOWNEY or LAUNEY from their adopted place. In old church records in the area,
there are several references to the family name of Sullivan Launa, which
support this story. As far as I am aware, no Y-DNA studies have been
conducted on LOWNEY or SULLIVAN with a view to provide a genetic history. The noted published oral histories of
Riobard O'DWYER also provide support to the family history: “The LOWNEY in Berehaven were originally
O'SULLIVANs who came from beside the Laune River, Killorglin, Co. Kerry. They
were called the LAUNEYs after coming to Berehaven, and they eventually became
known as the LOWNEYs. Four brothers came. One settled in Bunskellig, one in
Bere Island, one in Clogheen, Garnish, and the fourth (a weaver) in Ard na
Sciach, Filane, Castletownbere. Later, they spread out to Foromanes (Eyeries)
and to Lickbarrahan (Cahermore), to Derrimihan (Castletownbere) etc.” - Annals
of Beare, Vol. II, p. 280 (2009).
The surname of LOWNEY may also be
derived from the Irish O'Luanaigh, a personal name meaning a warrior or
soldier. Early records of the name mention a Gillacrist O'Luinigh who was
documented in the year 1090, and an Edward O'Luinigh was recorded in County
Cork in 1300, suggesting a possible earlier and separate origin for some with
the name. The surname has variant spellings including O'Luinigh, M'Lawney
(possibly becoming Maloney), Lownye, Loney and O'Looney. In Castletownbere
and nearby, Irish church records have transcribed variations based on L*N*Y
and include: LAUNEY, LAUNY, LAWNEY, LAWNY, LONEY, LOUNEY, LOUNY, LOWNEY,
LUONY, etc. Variations on LANE are also present. The branch belonging to the wife of
this researcher, which moved out of the Beare peninsula in the late C19th, is
still known locally in Clonakilty by the name LOONEY, even though spelling
their names LOWNEY. For example, the 1911 census had the family clearly
listed as LOONEY but the signature was LOWNEY. They are apparently
descendants of the fourth LOWNEY brother, mentioned by O'Dwyer, above, (who
may have been Maurice, based on my own research, but far from proven). The distribution of the name in
Ireland today is shown below, supporting the current family tree for Cork and
Wexford. Attempts to re-establish contact with members of the Wexford branch
to confirm their side of the family tree, which is otherwise outlined here,
has been unsuccessful. The maps of mid-C19th historical references also
support the name being originally established in Beare. This researcher has
been collecting all LOWNEY references and grouping them by townland. Enquiries are welcome.
The timing of the return to the
Castletownbere area is unclear. The name is well established by the late
C18th and many groups reside there to this day, no doubt part of an extended
family. In many cases, online
Irish Church records provide names of both parents as well as witnesses
and sponsors to marriages and baptisms, as well as places/townland of
residence (although sometimes difficult to decipher as can be abbreviated or
recorded phonetically), so a reasonable paper trail exits to the very earliest
C19th. Crop failures and The Irish Famine of
1845-52 resulted in a high mortality rate and emigration to England, Scotland
& particularly the United States (with the need for labour in the US was
the most popular). Outside of the big US cities, some branches of this family
(and other LOWNEYs not yet connected) favoured Falls River, Massachusetts
(which was the heart of the early US textile industry, where they had weaving
skills to offer) and Butte, Montana (one of the biggest and most notorious
boom towns, famous for its mining) as many LOWNEYs had been copper miners in
the west of Ireland. With the eldest or surviving son
usually inheriting the farm, younger members of the family had to remain in
support or move to start a new life elsewhere. Records also support family
stories of surviving daughters who were in line to inherit being “bought into
marriage” by landless men to obtain title to land of their own. Marriage
records show that it was common for children not to marry until late 20’s or even
into their 40’s, until such time they inherited and/or could support a family
of their own. Baptismal records are generally in
the Roman Catholic churches of Castletownbere. Marriages are also generally
in Castletownbere, but occasionally wives were found on the northern side of
the local mountain in the Allihies & Eyeries parishes, or further afield
in County Cork. All records in the far SW fall under the Diocese of Kerry,
despite being in County Cork. Irish records and transcription of records can
have three different dates that may all be interpreted as dates of birth in
online indices, which can confuse research when trying to identify specific
intervals. These are, in likely time order: Ø Actual
date of birth (DOB; rarely recorded prior to General Registration) and only
reliable on official birth certificates; Ø The
date of baptism (which is only verifiable on original registers), which under
Roman Catholic tradition occurred as quickly as possible after birth (with a
few days or even the same day) and provides the most reliable anchor date for
approximate DOB, and; Ø The
date the birth was officially registered, which may be a week or more after
birth as this often required a trip over difficult terrain to reach the town
for registration (hence an apparent DOB can appear after a baptism). The descendant family in present-day
Clonakilty, County Cork is descended from a family that resided in Filane (aka
Felane, Filane West & Filane Upper), east of Castletownbere. In earliest
records, the townland (or sub-townland) is referred to as variations on B*l*sk*,
including Ballusky, Bahluska, Bolisk, Bolesk, Bollusk, Bolusk, Bolusky,
Bulhusk, Buesk, Bulisk, Bulliesk, Bullisk, Bulisky, and Bullusk. On maps
Ballesky or Bullesky may translate from the Gaelic to be a place to do with
cows (bo) and skeagh.
In family records their residence is
also recorded as Ardnasciach or Ardnaskeagh (as referenced by
O’Dwyer) which may translate from the Gaelic as “high (the) thorns (skeagh = hawthorn)”, anglicized as Thornhill,
a place name just east of Filane and adjacent to Rossmackowen &
Curryglass, but not a part of Filane West at that time. The 1901 & 1911
Irish census confirms that the Filane West townland consisted of no more than
8 houses and Bullesky school (the latter appearing to have gone by the 1911
census). In both census years, the 8 properties were owned two each by
LOWNEYs, SULLIVANs (O’SULLIVAN), and MURPHYs, with a single NEILL (O’NEILL)
& SHEA (O’SHEA). As one would expect, many of these families intermarried
and is inferred and supported by atDNA matches. Several detailed recorded oral
histories exist (especially in emigrant families in the US) to piece together
the last 200 years of the family. Contact from US families are of interest to
help accurately tie back immigrants to their townland of origin, and possibly
from which of the four brothers they are descended. Geographically, Filane West is part
of a narrow coastal strip (only about 500m across and extending no more than
about 3km inland) which is rocky in the northern 50% land with a small area
suitable for agriculture in the southern half. The location of the Bullesky
sub-townland & school is indicated by the arrow. The main occupations
were farming (arable, with sheep in the more rocky & mountainous parts),
fishing and weaving (woollen cloth):
Part
3: Earliest Records at Bullesky & Ardnascaich/Ardnaskeagh, Filane West C19th census records in the US,
England, Scotland & Wales have many possible emigrants from this family
based on name and age, however with referenced origins only as “Ireland” or
at best as “Cork, Ireland” it is difficult to identify them without specific
family narratives. Almost all the US LOWNEYs will have come from Cork or
Kerry. Some researchers believe that the family is headed by a John LAUNEY
(1798, Gortagullane (probably present day Gortnagulla), Co. Kerry s/o Maurice
LAUNEY & Mary LEAHY) who was a weaver and settled in
Ardnaskeagh, however there are sufficient early LOWNEY records at B*l*k* to
suggest that there are many brothers/cousins and that all the men recorded
cannot reasonably all be sons of this John. This suggests the migration to
the area by the “fourth son” mentioned above may be earlier, perhaps as early
as the mid C18th. He is given of Keelratrine (probably Kilcatherine, NW of
Eyeries) on some early records.
· Denis
LOWNEY of Commindaugh (unidentified, but possibly
Commeen Lower near Kenmare), bef 1806 = Hanora HOULIHAN in 1824
Eyeries: o
Julia LOWNEY
(1829) of Bolusk; o Ellen
LOWNEY (1830) of Bolesk; · John
LOWNEY of Coom, bef 1806. Family narratives from
the US refer to 3 wives, 2 of whom died in childbirth: o
1. = Margaret MURPHY bef 1826 § Mary
LOWNEY (1826) of Bullisk. Went to US c1846 = Jeremiah
O’NEILL (1805) and settled in Lowell, Massachusetts. 5 children; o
2. = Unclear c1827-1831. o
3. = Mary LEAHY in 1832
Allihies. Children: § John
LOWNEY (1835) of Belusk (a sponsor at his baptism
was M SHEEHAN, who may be the Mary below in the Clonakilty branch).
Given as of Ardnaskeagh = Margaret O’NEILL of nearby Gortnagaffe in
1868. Widowed John is living in Filane West in Curryglass in 1901, with
Jeremiah, Maggie, Katie & Michael (all single). Children: § Mary
LOWNEY (1869); § Helen
LOWNEY (1870) = Denis NEILL of
Inchintriskin in 1899 Castletownbere; § John
J LOWNEY (1872-1924) went to Butte, Montana, USA to
mine c1895 and married Catherine (d/o James LOWNEY & Margaret
HARRINGTON of Clougheen, Beara, Cork) who arrived 3 years later. 12
children and numerous descendants in the US; § Bridget
LOWNEY (1874-74); § Julia LOWNEY (1875); § Maurice LOWNEY (1877), reported to
have died in Butte, Montana; § Jeremiah LOWNEY (1879) = Annie
O’SULLIVAN after 1911 and inherited Ardnaskeagh: § Maurice LOWNEY (1917-21); § Margaret LOWNEY (1881), shortly after
1901 left home and settled in the US. Died in San Francisco; § Denis LOWNEY (1883), reportedly
died in Butte, Montana; § Catherine LOWNEY (1886) emigrated to
US and married Michael O’SULLIVAN in San Francisco; § Michael LOWNEY (1889-1946) left
for Butte, Montana in 1909 and died there; § Julia LOWNEY (1837) = John
O’SULLIVAN in 1858 and lived nearby in Scart/Rossmackowen; § Maurice LOWNEY (1844-1907) went to
Nevada, USA (to earn his fortune as a miner and returned to settle in
Castletownbere) = Mary HOLLAND in 1879. Children: § Mary Anne LOWNEY (1880-1949) = Daniel
SULLIVAN (1867-1912), then went to the US in 1916 marrying John FOX; § Julia LOWNEY (1881-85). Died of
measles; § Ellen LOWNEY (1882-85). Died of
measles; § Margaret LOWNEY (1885-85). Died of
measles; § Agnes Mary LOWNEY (1886-69) in 1909
went to Butte, Montana to marry her sweetheart Pierce Joseph POWERS
(1885-1959) of Castletownbere; § Lucy LOWNEY (1888-94). Died of
a plague; § Abigail Mary LOWNEY (1890-1965). Died
in Detroit, Michigan, USA; § Catherine Josephine
LOWNEY
(1892-1974) arrived in US in 1912 = Michael James RYAN in Butte,
Montana; § Joanne Mary LOWNEY (1900-90) = Charles
Joseph WARE in Michigan, USA; § John Phillip LOWNEY (1902-65).
Unmarried; ·
Julia LOWNEY (bef 1807) = Patrick LEAH or Patrick
SULLIVAN of Bulhusk in 1825. Both marriages given, but as witness is a
LEAH for the groom, it is assumed to be LEAH. Cornelius LAUNY is the
witness for the bride. · Jeremiah LOWNEY (bef 1807) = Mary
SULLIVAN bef 1828: o
William LOWNEY (Jan 1828) of Bolusk; o
John LOWNEY (1831) of Bulisk; o
Jeremiah LOWNEY (1838) of Bolusky; o
Mary LOWNEY (1841); o James LOWNEY (1845) of Bolisk; · Jeremiah LOWNEY (bef 1810) = Margaret
MURPHY bef 1828; o John LOWNEY (Mar 1828) of
Bolusk; ·
Timothy LOWNEY (bef 1810) – Ancestor of the Clonakilty
family, below and my wife’s 3xGGF; · John LOWNEY (bef 1812) = Johanna
LOWNEY bef 1829: o
James LOWNEY (1829) of Bolusk; o William LOWNEY (1830) of Bulisk; ·
Julia LOWNEY (bef 1812) to Daniel LEAH of Bolusk
in 1830; ·
Cornelius LOWNEY (bef 1813) of Bulisky = Ellen LOWNEY
(no residence) in 1831; · Denis LOWNEY (bef 1813) = Mary
SULLIVAN bef 1831: o John LOWNEY (1831) of Bullusk; · John LOWNEY (bef 1816) = Mary
MURPHY bef 1835: o Isaac LOWNEY (Apr 1835) of
Bullusk; · John LOWNEY (bef 1817) = Mary
SULLIVAN bef 1835: o Patrick LOWNEY (Dec 1835) of
Bolesk; · John LOWNEY (bef 1818) of
Bolesk = Ellen MURPHY in 1836: o John LOWNEY (1841) of Bullesk; · John LOWNEY (bef 1820) = Ellen
SULLIVAN: o Margaret LOWNEY (1838) of Bolusk; · Jeremiah LOWNEY (bef 1835) = Johanna
HARRINGTON bef 1853: o
Bridget LOWNEY (1853) of Fiehane = John O’NEILL of
Rossmacowen; o
Johannah LOWNEY (1864) = ? John LEARY and may be
resident in London in 1911; o Jeremiah LOWNEY (1866) of Filane; · Timothy LOWNEY (bef 1844) = Mary
SHEA bef 1862: o
John LOWNEY (1862); o Catherine LOWNEY (1877) of Filawn;
Current
C19th head is Timothy LOWNEY (bef 1810) of Ardnascaich who married Mary
O'SULLIVAN
abt 1830 (wife’s 3x great gradparents). Children: · William
LOWNEY (1831-1909) of Buesk (baptism) of Milleens
(upon marriage) = Margaret MURPHY (1844-1916) in 1870. Children: o
John LOWNEY (1871)
of Ardnaskeagh; o
Timothy LOWNEY (1873-1916)
of Bolosk & Filiane = Mary HOULIHAN in 1909. Timothy inherited the
property at Ardnaskeagh from his late father: § Margaret
LOWNEY (1911); o
Michael LOWNEY
(1875-1943) of Filane; o
Mary LOWNEY
(1878) of Ardnaskeagh = Quinlan MURPHY of nearby Shanavalleleigh,
Curryglass; o
William LOWNEY
(1880-1926) of Ardnaskeagh; o
Patrick
LOWNEY (1885-1944); · John
LOWNEY (1834) of Ardnaskeagh, farmer at Filane
Upper = Mary O'SULLIVAN
of Ardnaskeagh in 1860 (witness: William LOWNEY), wife’s 2x great
grandparents. Couple also given as of nearby Scart/Filane. Children: o
John LOWNEY
(1862-1940) aka “Jack”, Carpenter & Coachbuilder of Youghal near
Clonakilty = Ellen O'SULLIVAN
(1871-1934) of Whiddy Island, Bantry Bay in Bantry in 1890 (wife’s great grandparents).
Their children in Clonakilty area include: § Patrick
Joseph LOWNEY (1891), Coachbuilder, went to
Wexford. Six children are known with spouse surname FORTUNE in period
from 1928, but 2 earlier children may be from an earlier marriage. This line
is deduced from distantly related family stories and internet research (and
therefore unverified by the direct family line itself): § Mary
Josephine LOWNEY (1916) = in 1947 Wexford to unknown
(ALLEN, COMERFORD, DONOHUE or O’CONNOR); § Kathleen
Ellen LOWNEY (1919) = Patrick O’DONEGAN in 1944
Ware, Hertfordshire, England; § John
Joseph LOWNEY (1921-2005) = Margaret Mary
TREACY (1925-2007) in 1948 Wexford. Jack & Peg were the founders of
the LOWNEY furniture business in
Wexford. Children (gleaned from public sources): § John
Joseph Brenden LOWNEY (1949) = Annette/Eithne.
Children in Wexford (in alphabetical order): § Brendan
LOWNEY = Pilar Loring de ANTA (joint
wedding with Colm in 2006 Wexford): § Marina
LOWNEY (2009 Madrid); § Colm
LOWNEY (c1968) Artistic Director of Bui Bolg Productions = Lucy MEDLYCOTT
in 2006 Wexford. Children: § Ben
LOWNEY (1995); § Frank
LOWNEY (c2006); § Meg
LOWNEY (c2006); § Eddie
LOWNEY (c1983) Drummer with “Red Lunacy” = Paula; § Emma
LOWNEY (Works for Bui Bolg); § Jennifer
LOWNEY (Auctioneer at Lowney Auctioneers, Wexford) = Tom; § Kate
LOWNEY = Mark ROSSITER; § Philomena
Mary LOWNEY (1951); § Sean
LOWNEY (1952) – Wexford Solicitor and former
President of the local Rotary Club; § Francis
J LOWNEY (1954-bef 2005). A firm of solicitors with
this name in Wexford; § Maurice
P LOWNEY (1958); § Declan
LOWNEY (1960) TV & Film Producer
= Jenny. Children in Wexford: § Danny
LOWNEY (1995); § Ted
LOWNEY (1998); § Noreen
LOWNEY (1962); § Patrick
Joseph LOWNEY (1928) Band Master of the Joe LOWNEY
Orchestra/Show Band in Wexford = Isobel in 1969; § Eamonn
LOWNEY (Bassist for a time with “Red Lunacy”).
Possibly President of the Spanish Snooker Federation?; § Ronan
LOWNEY; § Ellen
V “Ella” LOWNEY (1930-2011) is reported to have had
3 children per her death announcement: § Oliver
LOWNEY (1951); § Nicholas
J LOWNEY (1955-bef 2011) § Anne-Marie
LOWNEY; § Noel
Anthony LOWNEY (1935); § Margaret “Maggie” LOWNEY
(1892-1908); § Mary
Kate LOWNEY (1893) = John CUNNINGHAM in 1939; § John
LOWNEY (1894) Coachbuilder = Ellen O’MAHONEY
(1912-90) in 1935 Skibbereen. Clonakilty children: § John
Joseph LOWNEY (1936) = Judy after 1958,
then later Patricia QUILL. Children with first wife: § John
LOWNEY; § Nuala
LOWNEY; § Olive
LOWNEY; § Mary
T LOWNEY (1937); § Kieran
F LOWNEY (1939); § Kevin
A LOWNEY (1940); § Patrick
C LOWNEY (1942); § Timothy
B “Declan” LOWNEY (1944); § Kevin
LOWNEY; § Deirdre
LOWNEY; § Timothy
“Ted” LOWNEY (1896-1972), Coachbuilder of Clonakilty = Edna
Edith O'CONNELL
(1904-81) of Ballydehob, Cork in 1928 (wife’s grandparents); § Ellen
Mary “Elma” LOWNEY (1930-2012) = Denis Joseph O'NEILL
(wife’s parents); § John
Anthony Pascal “Tony” LOWNEY (1932-2011) = Joan
QUINLAN (1932-81). Children: § Timothy
John LOWNEY (1955) = Mary SHEEHAN: § Jane
LOWNEY (1985); § Stephen
LOWNEY (1987); § Geraldine
M LOWNEY (1958) = Anthony STAUNTON; § Brian
LOWNEY (1971) = Louise McCARTHY; § Gertrude
Geraldine LOWNEY (1939-57); § Timothy
Daniel “Teddy” LOWNEY (1940) = Pauline DINEEN. Children:
§ Jean
LOWNEY; § Alan
LOWNEY = Miriam HARTE; § Conor
LOWNEY = Orla
O’SULLIVAN; § Joseph
Patrick “Paddy” (1946-2016) = Helen WALSH.
Children: § Shane
LOWNEY (1971); § Justin
LOWNEY (1974); § Ellen
LOWNEY (1900) = William DWYER (1905-49) of Barryroe,
Co. Cork per records (LINEHAN is the spouse name mentioned in family, perhaps
2nd marriage?); § Rosie
LOWNEY (abt 1907) – no records found; § Margaret
A “Mollie” LOWNEY (1909-2007) = Jeremiah F DWYER
(1903-98) of Drinagh, Co. Cork. Family in Massachusetts, USA; o
Mary LOWNEY
(1865) = William POWER (per oral history); o
Margaret LOWNEY (1867)
= Frederick Alfred McMILLAN (1865) in 1901; o
Timothy LOWNEY
(1876-1961) of Scart, Curryglass in 1901 & 1911 = Annie MULLINS in
1912. Children in Castletownbere: § Mary
LOWNEY (1912-1999) = Joseph McCARTHY in
1947 Kerry; § Margaret
Anne LOWNEY (1916-2006) = James Gerard HARRINGTON in
1941; § John
Joseph LOWNEY (1918-1998) = Kathleen O’SHEA
in 1956 Limerick. Children: § Timothy
Leo LOWNEY (1957) = Kathleen SHERIDAN.
Children: § Aoife
C LOWNEY (1985); § Cian
LOWNEY (1987); § Eanna
LOWNEY (1990); § Sean
LOWNEY (1960) = Angela O’CONNOR (1963-2006).
Children: § David
LOWNEY (1997); § Orla
LOWNEY (1999); § Sarah
LOWNEY (2002); § Eileen
Christina LOWNEY (1922-2011 Carrigaline); § Anna
Patricia LOWNEY (1924) = Donal HARRINGTON
(1915-2000) in 1948; § Joseph
LOWNEY (1926) = Patricia O’BRIEN in 1975
Redbridge, Greater London; § Frances
LOWNEY (1928); § Timothy
A LOWNEY (1930) aka “Big Ted” of Scart = Catherine
M CONDON in 1956 Limerick. Children: § Timothy
Gerard LOWNEY (1957 Wexford); § Ann
LOWNEY; § Fergal
LOWNEY; § Theresa
C LOWNEY (1934) = Eamonn CARBERRY; o
Ellen LOWNEY
(1877) – unmarried and living at home in Scart, Curryglass in 1901 census; · Margaret
LOWNEY (1836) = William POWER of
Ordnaskeach in 1857. Witness was Cornelius LOWNEY; · Timothy
LOWNEY (1838) of the couple and of Kilkinihan
(unrecognised): Baptised in Allihies, with sponsor Mary LOWNEY; · Mary
LOWNEY (1843) of Bolesk. Also of Bulusk when = John
HOULIHAN of Derrimihan West in 1867. Witness was William POWER,
presumably husband of her sister Margaret; The outline
above is indicative only and not necessarily fully correct or complete. It
should be used for guidance only. |
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