From 1852, there was a Catholic Mission at Fitzroy Harbour (Carleton Co., Ontario). A stone church (St. Michael’s) was built in 1861;1 but the mission did not become the independent parish of St. Michael until 1917.2 The Fitzroy Harbour Mission served Catholics in the Fitzroy Harbour area, of course, but also, in its early years, Catholics from across the river in the Quyon, Onslow area of Québec.
From 1852 to 1865, the Fitzroy Harbour Mission was served by the Rev. Bernard McFeely. His handwriting was the opposite of neat; his spelling was idiosyncratic at best; and his practice of recording the Irish counties of origin of the parties to a marriage was a gift to future genealogists. It is thanks to Father McFeely that many of the descendants of these Irish Catholic emigrants can begin their family history research with a specific Irish county, rather than just “Ireland,” as the starting point.
To the right is the marriage record for my 2x-great-grandparents Patrick Killeen and Bridget Galligan. Patrick is given as “son of age of Denis Killeen and Mary Hearn formerly of the County Galway Ireland;” and Bridget as “daughter of age of Patrick Gallagan and Mary Quilean [Cullen] formerly of the County Cavin [Cavan] Ireland.” Patrick Killeen was almost certainly born in Upper Canada, whereas Bridget Galligan was certainly born in Ireland (parish of Kilmore, County Cavan). But this distinction is not made clear in the marriage record (I have this information from other records). Father McFeely’s “formerly of the County [Irish county] Ireland” refers to at least the parents of the bride or groom, but in some (probably quite a few) cases, will also refer to the bride or groom as well.
Below is a list of some marriages recorded in the parish register of Fitzroy Harbour Mission, from 1852 to 1856. I have only included marriages where one or both parties are identified with an Irish county (the vast majority of marriages recorded in the early register for Fitzroy Harbour). These Irish counties include: Kerry, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, and Tyrone.
Please note that the Rev. Bernard McFeely continued his practice of recording Irish counties well into the 1860s; I only stopped at the end of November 1856 because my tabular data was getting a bit unwieldy for a blog-based table. I may do 1857 to 1861 or so in a future entry.
As usual, I have resisted the urge to “correct” the spellings. In more than a few cases, I could not “correct” the spelling even if I tried: at least a few of the surnames transcribed below do not really make sense to me even as variant spellings of a surname. I have attempted to transcribe what I read, but in a few cases, Fr. McFeely’s text is all but unreadable.
| Date | Groom | Son of [Parents], of [Place] | Bride | Daughter of [Parents], of [Place] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Groom | Son of [Parents], of [Place] | Bride | Daughter of [Parents], of [Place] |
| 12 Jul 1852 | Thomas Moran | James Moran and Mary Danford of the County of Waterford | Ann Kearns | Andrew Kearns and Elisabeth O'brien County Sligo |
| 5 Oct 1852 | John Dolin, widower, "whose wife John Murdock certifying died in the County Mayo Ireland" | Patrick Dolin and Grace Kiel formerly of the County Mayo Ireland | Mary Burk | William Burk and Ann Atkins all of the Mission of Onslow, formerly of the County Mayo Ireland |
| 5 Oct 1852 | Thomas Murdock | James Murdock and Honora Tunny, residents of March and heretofore of the County Mayo | Mary Fitzgerald | Thomas Fitzgerald and Cathrine Murphy of the Mission of Onslow and heretofore of the County Mayo |
| 4 Nov 1852 | Thomas Behan | Jeremiah Behan and Cathrine M'Ginn, formerly of the County Tipereary Ireland | Mary Martin | William Martin and Ellen Smith formerly of the County Cavan, Ireland |
| 22 Nov 1852 | Matthew Costello | Martin Costello and Jane garvin of the County Tipereary Ireland | Mary Colton | Murty Colton and Bridget Doyle, formerly of the County Carlow |
| 5 Jan 1853 | John Coyne | James Coyne and Ellenor O'Brine of the County Roscommon | Margaret Elliot | Simon Elliott and Ann Howe, County Mayo Ireland |
| 14 Jan 1853 | Martin Dolin | Martin Dolin and Honour Kirby, formerly of the County Mayo, Ireland | Ann McDonagh | Patrick McDonagh and Mary Lyons formerly of the County Sligo Ireland |
| 17 Jan 1853 | Francis Moran | Ambrose Moran and Mary Cannon, formerly of the County Leitrim Ireland | Ann Galligan | Denis Galligan and Ann Kelly, County Cavan |
| 4 Apr 1853 | Lanty McCue | Miles McCue and Ellen McConeyhe formerly of the County Tyrone Ireland | Cathrine Finnegan | Thomas Finnegan and Mary Mcgarry formerly of the County Sligo Ireland |
| 18 Apr 1853 | Thomas Smith | Daniel Smith and Mary Mulligan of the County Cavin Ireland | Fanny Aspel | James Aspel and Mary Kale of the County Wexford Ireland |
| 26 Apr 1853 | John Major | John Major and Mary Burk formerly of the County Mayo | Julia Burk | William Burke and Ann Seton of the same County [Mayo] |
| 28 Apr 1853 | Patrick McKale | Michael McKale and Mary Purcell formerly of the County Mayo Ireland | Bridget O'Donnel | Hugh O'Donnell and Mary Read of the same County [Mayo] |
| 23 May 1853 | James Colton | Murtagh Colton and Bridget Doyle formerly of the County Carlo Ireland | Mary Quigley | William Quigley and Bridget Kehoe formerly of the County Wexford Ireland |
| 25 Jul 1853 | John Devine | John Devine and Bridget Kearn formerly of the County Sligo | Ellen Waters | John Waters and Cathrine Gavin residents of Nepean formerly of the County Tipereary Ireland |
| 25 Jul 1853 | Patrick Clairy | Patrick Clairy and Mary Magher formerly of the County Clare Ireland | Mary McKinnon | Neil McKinnon and Mary McKinnon |
| 9 Aug 1853 | Peter Denis, widower, of Mary Rivale | Peter Denis [and] Xantic Quelance formerly of France | Cathrine Gallagan | Daniel Gallagan and Ann Commerford formerly of the County Cavan Ireland |
| 5 Oct 1853 | Michael McGlaughlin | George McGlaughlin and Celia Kegan, formerly of the Co. Mayo Ireland | Elisabeth Timstrim | daughter according to law of Andrew Timstrim and Celia Joyce |
| 16 Oct 1853 | Arthur O'Donnell, widower of the late Margaret O'Hara | [parents not given] | Bridget Gibbins | Walter Gibbins and Bridget Kelly formerly of the County Mayo Ireland |
| 23 May 1854 | Thomas Aoud, widower | Patrick Aoud and Bridget Farrel formerly of the County Kildare Ireland | Mary Herrick | Michael Herrick and Cathrine O Neil formerly of the County Mayo Ireland |
| 5 Jun 1854 | Edward Riley | Edward Riley and Mary Riley, formerly of the County Cavan Ireland | Mary Colligan | Wm Colligan and Mary Hegarty formerly of the County Tyrone Ireland |
| 19 Jun 1854 | Thomas Doolin | Patrick Doolin and Mary Ryan formerly of the County Tipereary Ireland | Cathrine Redmond | Arhur Redmond and Mary Dunn formerly of the County Wicklow Ireland |
| 23 Jun 1854 | Jeremiah Sullivan | John Sullivan and Bridget Buckly formerly of the County Cork Ireland | Cathrine Brown | John Brown and Mary Collins formerly of the U. States now of Gooldburn |
| 7 Jul 1854 | Joseph Salmon | John Salmon and Margaret Mannicks formerly of the County Clare Ireland | Sally Allen | Patrick Allen and Cath Durick formerly of Down County Ireland |
| 6 Nov 1854 | Henry Brown | Henry Brown and Margaret Duggan formerly of the County Kerry Ireland | Julia Purcell | Edward Purcell and Julia McDonald formerly of Glengarry |
| 7 Nov 1854 | Denis Barry | Denis Barry and Julia McDonaugh formerly of the County Sligo | Johanna Cronnon | John Cronnon and Ellen Gilburn |
| 9 Jan 1855 | Denis Ryan | John Ryan and Honora Lyons, formerly of the County Tipereary Ireland | Margaret Mangin | James Magin and Ellen Shaughenesy formerly of the County Limerick |
| 29 Jan 1855 | John Gibbins | John Gibbins and Betsy Watters formerly of the County Mayo Ireland | Sarah Leahy | Patrick Leahy and Elisabeth Wharton formerly of the County Cork Ireland |
| 18 Mar 1855 | Miles Gibbins | John Giblins and Elisabeth Waters formerly of the County Mayo Ireland | Bridget Welsh | Thomas Welsh and Mary Welsh formerly of the County Mayo Irland |
| 3 May 1855 | Patrick McKenny | James McKenny and Margaret Quinlin formerly of the County Cavin Ireland | Bridget Foran | Michael Foran and Cathrine Cannion formerly of the County Clare Ireland |
| 8 May 1855 | Patrick Coyne | James Coyne and Eleanor OBrien formerly of the County Mayo Ireland | Elisabeth Dowran | James Dowran and Elisabeth Lay formerly of the County Mayo Ireland |
| 11 Jun 1855 | Andrew Coghlan | Andrew Coghlan and Mary Welsh formerly of the Queens County Ireland | Mary Laulor | Thomas Laulor and Cathrine Kirby formerly of the Queens County Ireland |
| 25 Jul 1855 | Thomas Doyle | Hugh Doyle and Mary O'handon formerly of the County Wexford Ireland | Mary Doyle | John Doyle and Margaret Colton formerly of the County Wexford Ireland |
| 17 Sep 1855 | Hugh O'Neil | John O'Neil and Mary Price formerly of the County Tyrone Ireland | Bridget McGlaughlin | George McGlaughlin and Cilea Kegan formerly of the County Mayo Ireland |
| 16 Oct 1855 | Edward Leach | Edward Leach and Mary Murphy formerly of the County Carlow Ireland | Cathrine Curley | Patrick Curley and Mary Finnerin formerly of the County Galway Ireland |
| 7 Jan 1856 | James Looly | John Looly and Catherine Duffgan formerly of the County Tipperary Ireland | Cathrine Moran | Thomas Moran and Bridget Moran formerly of the County Mayo Ireland |
| 3 Apr 1856 | Martin Foley | Patrick Foley and Margaret McNamara formerly of the County Tipperary Ireland | Honora Hendraghan | Patrick Hendraghan and Honora Winkle formerly of the County Kerry Ireland |
| 4 Apr 1856 | William Naurice | John Naurice and Mary Colligan formerly of the County Tyrone Ireland | Bridget Devine | Andrew Devine and Cathrine Mulligan formerly of the County Cavin Ireland |
| 15 Apr 1856 | John McDermott | Bernard McDermott and Mary Coyne formerly of the County Mayo Ireland | Mary O'Neil | Francis O'Neil and Julia OMara formerly of the County Tipperary Ireland |
| 14 Apr 1856 | Joseph Elihaw McDoude | Donald R. McDoude and Elisabeth Cap formerly of Glengarry | Mary Moore | Pat Moore and Margaret Ryan formerly of the County Carlow Ireland |
| 28 Apr 1856 | Martin Stanton | John Stanton and Cathrine Gibbins formerly of the County Mayo Ireland | Cathrine Gorman | Patrick Gorman and Margaret Haskin formerly of the County Tipperary Ireland |
| 13 Jun 1856 | James Cull | John Cull and Mary Ryan formerly of the County Limerick Ireland | Bridget/Elisabeth Copp [named as Bridget Copp in margin; named as Elisabeth Copp in text of record] | Edward Copp and Mary OShaughnessy formerly of the County Limerick Ireland |
| 28 Jul 1856 | Martin Doyle | John Doyle and Bridget Curley formerly of the County Galway Ireland | Ellen Logue | Michael Logue and Ellen Hagarty formerly of the County Tyrone Ireland |
| 4 Sep 1856 | Denis Gallagan | James Gallagan and Ellen Marchall formerly of the County Limerick Ireland | Ellen Door | Michael Door and Mary Keef formerly of the County Limerick Ireland |
| 24 Sep 1856 | Nicholas Ryan | Nicholas Ryan and Bridget Farrell formerly of the County Limerick Ireland | Mary Connors | James Connors and Ellen Keef formerly of the County Cork Ireland |
| 27 Sep 1856 | John Kane | John Kane and Mary Howard formerly of the County Clare Ireland | Mary Courneen | Daniel Courneen and Bridget Murphy formerly of the County Clare Ireland |
| 28 Sep 1856 | John Mulvey | Francis Mulvey and Ellen Ward of Litchfield | Bridget O'Donnel | John O'Donnel and Margaret Fony formerly of the County Mayo |
| 28 Oct 1856 | James Salmon | John Salmon and Margaret Monoufue formerly of the County Clare Ireland | Elisabeth Allen | Stephen Allen and Margaret Hogan formerly of the County Clare Ireland |
| 8 Nov 1856 | Thomas Mangan | Patrick Mangan and Mary Riddle formerly of the County Limerick | Bridget Hendrihan | Michael Hendrihan and Bridget Kirmely formerly of the County Kerry Ireland |
| 8 Nov 1856 | Michael Mulvehill | John Mulvehill and Margaret Mangin formerly of the County Kerry Ireland | Bridget Courneau | Michael Courneau and Mary Clifford formerly of the County Tipperary Ireland |
| 25 Nov 1856 | Thomas Moran | Owen Moran and Mary Flinny formerly of the County Tipperary Ireland | Cathrine Herrick | Michael Herrick and Cathrine ONeil formerly of the County Tipperary |
| 28 Nov 1856 | Martin Dolin, widower | Pat Dolin and Honora Kirby of the County Mayo Ireland | Johanna Dempsy | Thomas Dempsy and Ellen Murphy of the County Kilkenny Ireland |
| 29 Nov 1856 | Pat Milie | Bartholomew Milie and Honora Higgins formerly of the County Mayo Ireland | Mary Dolin | John Dolin and Cathrine McGra formerly of the County Mayo Ireland |
- This stone church replaced a wooden church that had burned to the ground in 1854. The suspected cause of the fire was anti-Catholic vandalism. See Marion G. Rogers, “St. Michael’s Church Fitzroy Harbour,” The Ottawa Journal, 29 July 1972. ↩
- “St. Michael’s Fitzroy Celebrates 150 Years,” Catholic Ottawa Newsletter, Spring and Summer 2010, p. 11. ↩
Thrilled to find my Great great grandparents listed here as married on the 14th April 1856. We always refer to my gggrandfather as Elihu Joseph McDonald and his parents as Donald McDonald and Elizabeth Cass. They lived in L’Orignal although Donald was born in Knoydart Inverness Scotland and came to Glengarry as a child on the Ship Macdonald in 1786; Knoydart to Quebec. It has taken me quite a while to trace this record. You have made my day… Elihu and Mary immigrate to Mason County Michigan in November of 1872 with their eight children. They have three more in Michigan. In 1976 I left Michigan for Melbourne Australia. And settled…. I am working on writing a story of my roots for my two Australian/American children. I appreciate all the people who gather these records and put them online. I use to research offline back in the late 1970’s and accomplished so little. Thank you. Thank you. Please pass on my appreciation. I hope one day I can gather the funds to come and visit your beautiful area.