Henry Ford......

[skippy]

Hi,

I have a John Ford born Cork 1831.

I believe Henry Ford did some research into his Ireland heritage around 1930's and I have a couple of separate accounts of visitors in large black limos
calling at my Ford ancestors houses requesting info about the family.

Has anyone any ideas how to trace or confirm this possible connection - my grandmother always maintained that she was a second cousin.
My aunt (Grandmothers daughter says the connection was through a cousin of a cousin).

Any help would be appreciated

thanks,

Skippy

[magsbutler]

Hi
You can view Henry Ford's family tree on genealogy.com

http://www.genealogy.com/famousfolks/henry-ford/

However, it is very sparse, and gives no info on places of origin.

Cheers,
Mags

[magsbutler]

This has a little snippet too:

http://www.umd.umich.edu/fairlane/fordfamily.html

Mags

[magsbutler]

Ok, this is better!

http://www.hfha.org/younghenry.htm

Mags

[KarenM]

Here's a link to Lisselan Estate in Clonakilty, Co. Cork where the Ford's were.  It's a golf course now, but their is a Ford Museum as well, set up by Henry.  My gr-grandfather was a butler there in 1907.


http://www.lisselan.com/

Karen

[skippy]

Hi Mags,

Thanks very much for links to info on Henry Ford's Irish connections. I did search Google but didn't manage to filter out the pages you found.
My Gran always said she was related but it wasn't until a couple of years after my Dads death that we visited his elder sister in New Zealand and whilst chatting she confirmed that the family was visited (she thinks sometime 1930's) by somebody looking into Henry Fords ancestors who told the family that they were cousins. Up until then I hadn't taken my Grans claim seriously.  I have  found my grandfathers parents on UK census from 1861 onwards.
The connection (if any) probably lies with the family that stayed in Ireland and would most likely stem from Henry Fords grandparents or even further back.

Again, many thanks........at least I have a starting point now. I'll let you know if I manage to get any further.


Cheers,

Skippy

 

[skippy]

Karen,

Thanks for Lisselan.
Just checked 1861 census whilst replying to Mags and John Ford (Gt Gt grandfather) was born 1831 (circa) so the connection may be through Henry Fords grandfathers parents. ....
Can see I still have a lot of digging to do.

Skippy

[liverpool annie]

Look at this Skippy - they came from Somerset originally ..... !!

Ford was born on a prosperous farm in Springwells Township (now in the city of Dearborn, Michigan) owned by his parents, William Ford (1826-1905) and Mary Litogot (c1839-1876), immigrants from County Cork, Ireland. The Ford family has its origins in western England - the family was evicted from their land in Somerset and 'planted' in Ireland. His siblings include: Margaret Ford (1867-1868); Jane Ford (c1868-1945); William Ford (1871-1917) and Robert Ford (1873-1934)

Annie 

[skippy]

Hi Annie,

Thanks for info.
Does the article say when the family was 'planted' in Ireland or give any info as to who was evicted.
My John Ford was born in 1831. Reading through posted sites I get the impression that family connection was through Henry Fords grandparents or a generation further back so your info may be relevent. The family were catholic although my dad couldn't have been too staunch as I am C of E.
Any insight would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Skippy