The case for Central Ireland

 

AncestryDNA. Journeys for KDJ.

A bit over a year ago I looked into the Ancestral Journey for Central Ireland (Roscommon and Bordering Counties) using my Dad's DNA data and matches. I have a theory based on the home county for my 3rd-great-grandmother Bridget's first husband, Patrick Dooner. Because his family came from the border of Roscommon and Longford, my theory is that Bridget was likely also from the same area. Two neighbors of Bridget in the 1850 US Census, Thomas and Timothy Hanley, were also from Roscommon.

There are a few DNA matches who have ancestors tracing to this corner of Roscommon and Longford. The number is small, but consistent names keep appearing - Casey, variations of Greeley (Grealey or Grealis), Hanley, Gannon, Farrell, Murtagh - and these people all link to Longford. I think this has to be connected to Bridget's side of the tree. The challenge is how to make the connection.