Down Parish Records - McGAFFIN - *COMPLETED*

[Tambrisha]

Hello,

I am trying to research a very elusive great-grandfather of mine and would really appreciate it if someone may have some information on him.  I do have some information on him, but there are suspicions in the family that he was not very open/truthful about his life in Ireland.  The man in question is a John McGaffin (this was the spelling he used).  He was apparently born about 1886 (but that could be given or taken by 10 years) in Annaclone, Down.

I would be interested in any further information regarding the accuracy of his birthdate, any siblings, and his parents names, marriage, deaths, their parents. etc.

Thank you to anyone who may be able to shed some light on him! 

Tam

[aghadowey]

Do you have any more clues such as religion, father's name, etc.?
There is one John McGaffin in Co. Down in 1901 census the correct age (16 so born c1886) listed Lisnasliggan townland (Annaclone D.E.D.)-
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Annaclone/Lisnasliggan/1207394/
Grandparents named Bingham which is probably mother's maiden name.

[Tambrisha]

Hello aghadowey!

I think you've found him!    Thank you so much!

Protestant is the correct religion as far as my information goes.  Also, I checked a file I just received from a cousin of mine who is researching this man and he has down for John's father another John McGaffin and a Mary Beth Bingham as his mother, so the Bingham family works.   

It was suggested in some family lore that John left Ireland because of a break with his family.  The story was that his father died, his mother remarried and he never got along with his step-father.  Perhaps, if he was living with his grandparents, that bit of lore may actually have had some truth to it!

Do you think I could beg you to do a bit more digging and see if you could verify some of that?

Thanks again - you've been a big help already!

Tam

[maryderry]

this is the only mcgiffan bingham marriage i could find.

Record Type Civil Marriage
Date of Marriage 8 Dec 1848
Groom Name alexander MCGAFFIN
Bride Name sarah BINGHAM
Church Drumgooland Presbyterian Church
Parish Drumgooland
Civil District Banbridge
County Down
both fathers are william.

                                                           regards mary.

[aghadowey]

If John McGaffin was born 1880s the 1848 marriage is way too earlier but could be some relations.

[Tambrisha]

Thank you both!  I'm wondering if his parents married somewhere else and/or if he wasn't born where we think he was.

I will do some more digging.

Tam

[Lisa141]

Hi, I've just found this.. I'm currently researching my family.. Part of them, are  binghams/bighams from the same area and believe that John McGaffin is linked..still working on it though.. Just left I'd leave a note incase

[Tambrisha]

Hi, I've just found this.. I'm currently researching my family.. Part of them, are  binghams/bighams from the same area and believe that John McGaffin is linked..still working on it though.. Just left I'd leave a note incase

Thank you for your reply Lisa141 - I sent you a personal message.  I would love to be able to find out some more details on John McGaffin and his ancestors.

[Lisa141]

Hey, for some reason I can't pm u... But Yeh I'm still working on it..it's very confusing. I've read though the McGaffin can also be mcgoffin, mcgavin..  I've read elsewhere that there was a John mcgoffin registered in a local school which at his age matched the birth date you have.. I think that maybe his surname is that of his mothers born outve wedlock therefore can't trace his actual father because it won't be on his birth certificate? But the father is bingham/Bigham.. Wat you reckon? Have you had anyone developments? The grandparents listed living with him... Do you have a maidan name for mary? I'm hoping I have it right, but I reckon it's kelso..therefore in my family tree.