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A Quick History - The Family of Tom Donovan

In 1819, Patrick Donovan (my great-great grandfather) of Ballyfreen, Oola, Co. Limerick married Ellen Cleary of Ballinard, Herbertstown, Co. Limerick. They were the parents of Matthew Donovan, my great grandfather. Matthew married Julia Callaghan Jan. 16, 1868 in the Chapel of Ardee, County Louth.

My grandfather, Thomas, was born in 1873. He emigrated to the United States sometime in 1893, became a naturalized citizen in 1896 and then found his way to Detroit, Michigan sometime thereafter to visit his relatives who were living there.  ( This is no longer suspected as speculative.)  I believe he visited his two uncles, James Donovan and Patrick Donovan, and one aunt,  Helen (Ellen) O’Connor and their families.  I believe this James Donovan to be my great uncle for a number of reasons. I will put them forth as follows: 1, in a letter from his daughter, Evelyn, to a brother in Ireland in 1935, it is mentioned that during the visit, there was a woman who lived in the same building by the name of O'Connell. The Federal Census of 1900 shows a family by the name of O'Connor right after the James Donovan family. Close enough for me. I believe this to be the James that Thomas went to meet.  This James Donovan was born c. 1837 in Ballyfreen, Oola, Limerick, Ireland, the son of Ellen and Patrick. He had three sons and five daughters with Anastasia Kinsella between 1874 and 1891. He died in Detroit, Michigan. (This information has been confirmed as correct.)

There was also an Uncle Patrick Donovan (born 1841). Again, I am speculating here, but I believe I am probably correct.  Patrick married Delia (Bridget) Dooley in Kilteely in Kilmalook, Co. Limerick in 1873.  They emigrated to the United States sometime thereafter, either late 1870s or early 1880s.  Their third child, Anna, was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1884.  They stayed in the Detroit area as both died there.   Patrick may have moved to Detroit to be near his brother.  I am still researching this possibility. (This information has been confirmed as correct.)

Thomas’ Aunt Helen (Ellen) who was born in Ireland in 1846, married Timothy O’Connor.  They emigrated to the States sometime before their first child, Michael was born in 1863.  All five of their children were born here as well, as they settled in the Detroit area. (This information has been confirmed as correct.)

Sooooooooooo, if anyone knows anything more about these American relatives, please contact me. 

In 1900, Thomas married Rose Fish in Biwabik, Minnesota. Raymond, the middle child and my father, was born in 1904. He married my mother in 1930.

I, (Tom Donovan), was born in 1949 in Cleveland, Ohio, married Jane Tucek in 1973, and became the father of two children, T.J. (born 1976) and Erin (born 1979).  TJ’s children are Aubrey and Dane.  Erin’s children are Megan, Jillian and Kelly.