Sources & Records
The Documentary Trail
This research rests on decades of genealogical work and meticulous record-hunting across Ireland, England, and America. Below is a complete guide to the sources we've consulted and the key records we've discovered.
Key Documents
These are some of the original records that have shaped this research — civil registrations, census returns, parish registers, ship manifests, and military archives.
Gaffney Family Records
Cassidy Family Records
Military & Independence Records
Websites & Databases Used
We've consulted the following major genealogical resources to piece together the Gaffney and Cassidy stories:
IrishGenealogy.ie
Official civil birth, marriage, and death records from 1845 onwards. Searchable by name, county, district, and year range. We've used this extensively to find death records for Patrick Gaffney (1888, Cuilmore), Jane Gaffney (1916, Falleens), and civil birth records for the Gaffney and Cassidy children.
census.nationalarchives.ie
The definitive source for tracking where families lived in the early 20th century. We've extracted detailed census data showing the Gaffneys dispersed from Falleens by 1901, the Hunt household in Mullaghroe, and John Cassidy the National Teacher in Charlestown.
registers.nli.ie
Catholic parish baptism, marriage, and burial records on microfilm. Key parishes searched: Castlemore & Kilcolman (Ballaghaderreen), Gurteen (Kilfree & Killaraght), and Boyle. We discovered Gaffney marriages in the Gurteen registers and identified parish boundaries.
rootsireland.ie
Subscription service covering Catholic parishes across Sligo, Roscommon, and Leitrim. This is where the crucial Gaffney-Casey marriage (11 Feb 1861, Castlemore parish) was discovered—RootsIreland's indexed search found it instantly when manual microfilm browsing had failed. Also confirmed Gort branch births.
FindMyPast.com
An invaluable resource for RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) service records, merchant navy crew lists, petty sessions court registers, the 1921 Census of England & Wales, and passenger lists to New York. Here we found John Gaffney's RIC service record (no. 53811), Andrew Gaffney Jr. on the vessel Arethusa, Maggie Hunt's 1920 court cases, Philip Cassidy in the 1921 Birmingham census, Margaret Cassidy's arrival on the SS Cedric (indexed as "British" not "Irish"), and Martin Cassidy's 1903 US arrival.
AskAboutIreland.ie
Interactive Griffith's Valuation records (c. 1857) overlaid on Google Maps, with original plot numbers visible. We identified all four Gaffney brothers' holdings in Falleens and Cuilmore and mapped the exact boundaries of their farmsteads.
militaryarchives.ie
A repository of IRA (Irish Republican Army) service records and pension files from the War of Independence era. We found references to Cassidy family members' military service and obtained A33 (5 East Mayo Brigade records) showing P. Cassidy, M. Cassidy, and Thomas Cassidy in documented IRA operations.
FamilySearch.org
Extensive collections of New York passenger and crew lists (1909, 1925–1958), Ohio naturalization records (1848–1951), Irish civil registration indexes and census, and prison registers. We found Philip Cassidy's naturalization Declaration of Intention (1925, Chicago and Toledo) with original document images, and verified Peggy Cassidy's naturalization details.
heritage.statueofliberty.org
Covers 65 million passenger arrival records. We used this to cross-reference arrivals and locate SS Celtic (Philip Cassidy, 10 Mar 1925). Note: manifest images require login, but the search interface is free.
Key Records Found
Marriage Records
These marriages link the branches and anchor our family chronology:
John Gaffney & Jane Casey
Witnesses: John Flaherty and John Gaffney (father or brother of groom). Source: RootsIreland parish register index. No civil record exists (marriage pre-1864). This is the foundational marriage—John Jr. and all known children of John Sr. descend from this union.
John Gaffney & Ann Flaherty
Groom John from Falleens, father Pat Gaffney. Bride's father: Luke Flaherty (also of Falleens). No children recorded from this marriage; Ann died before 1891.
John Gaffney & Margaret Scanlon
Groom listed as widower from Falleens, father Pat Gaffney. Witnesses: Pat Casey and Winifred Scanlon. Son Patrick was born to this couple on 15 February 1892.
James Healy & Mary Gaffney
Mary was the daughter of Andrew Gaffney (one of the Falleens brothers). Witness: Thomas Gaffney.
John McLoughlin & Mary Gaffney
Mary was daughter of John Gaffney Sr. Witness: Rose Gaffney (sister of bride).
John Hunt & Maggie Gaffney
Groom: John Hunt, age 35. Bride: Margaret "Maggie" Gaffney, age 30, of Cuilmore. Father of bride: Patrick Gaffney (deceased). Father of groom: Denis Hunt. Witnesses: James Casey and Annie Gaffney. This marriage connects the Gaffney, Hunt, and Casey families and links Falleens to the Jamestown IRA company.
Michael Gaffney & Mary Anne Fitzsimmons
Groom's father: Michael Gaffney. Bride's father: Michael Fitzsimmons. This is the marriage of Michael of Gort, Co. Leitrim (father of IRA officers John Joseph and Tom Gaffney). Confirmed via their son John Joseph's 1894 civil birth record.
John Cassidy Jr. & Mary Gallagher
Groom: John Cassidy Jr., Bachelor, Teacher, Charlestown. Father: John Cassidy, Teacher. Bride: Mary Gallagher, Swinford. Father: John Gallagher, Merchant. Officiant: Rev. Edward Gallagher (Mary's uncle, later Canon Eddie). Witnesses: Bernard Cassidy and Bridget Gallagher. Civil record: cima-1452535. Their son is Archbishop Joseph Cassidy (1933–2007, Archbishop of Tuam).
Birth Records
Margaret (Maggie) Gaffney
Father: Patrick Gaffney. Mother: Mary (formerly O'Hara). Group Reg ID 7667718. PDF: births_1869/03391/2243386.pdf. Note variant spelling "Gaffeney."
Winifred Gaffney
Father: Matthew Gaffney. Mother: Mary Regan. Sponsors: Michael & Mary Cryan.
Patrick Gaffney (grandson of Patrick, Cuilmore)
Parents: John Gaffney & Margaret Scanlon. Civil record confirmed.
John Joseph Gaffney
Father: Michael Gaffney. Mother: Mary Anne Fitzsimmons. This is the IRA Captain of Jamestown Company. Civil birth record confirmed.
Thomas Gaffney (1st)
Parents: Michael Gaffney & Mary Anne Fitzsimmons. Died in infancy.
Tom Gaffney (2nd)
Parents: Michael Gaffney & Mary Anne Fitzsimmons. Named for his deceased brother. IRA 2nd Lieutenant.
Margaret Mary "Peggy" Cassidy
Father: Patrick Cassidy. Mother: Bridget Kilgallon. Baptized Carracastle parish. Witnesses: Peter Cassidy & Brigid Duffy. Civil birth record confirmed on IrishGenealogy.ie.
Death Records
Patrick Gaffney
Informant: Thomas Gaffney (son). Occupation: Farmer. Reg ID: cide-6659108. PDF: deaths_1888/06173/4764479.pdf. This is the only death record of the four Falleens brothers—the others were never registered.
Jane Gaffney (née Casey)
Informant: Annie McDonnell (neighbor). Widow. Reg ID: 5505311. Jane outlived her husband John Sr. by at least 15 years. She remained in Falleens until her death.
Patrick Cassidy Sr.
Cause: Disease of the liver (certified). Informant: Patrick Cassidy (son), of Coolnaha. Reg ID: cide-7405561. PDF: deaths_1873/020694/7260915.pdf. This is Peggy's great-grandfather, establishing the Cassidy line back to the early 19th century.
Census Records
Census records provide snapshots of family composition, occupations, and locations:
1901 Irish Census
By 1901, the Falleens Gaffneys had completely dispersed. No Gaffneys appear in the Coolavin DED (where Falleens is located). Only Mary E. Gaffney (age 8) appears, living as a "niece" with John Hunt in Mullaghroe. John Hunt's household shows him (38), Margaret (30), Denis Hunt (95), Mary Hunt (83), and children. This documents the Hunt family and the complete exodus of the Falleens brothers.
1911 Irish Census
Matthew Gaffney (age 80) appears in Drummaunroe, Co. Leitrim with wife Mary and sons John, Pat, and Frances. John Cassidy (47, National Teacher) and his wife Annie (42, also National Teacher) appear in Glenmullynaha West, Kilbeagh DED, with 9 children in household. This confirms the second generation and the educational trajectory of the Cassidy line.
1910 US Census
Martin Cassidy and Peter F. Cassidy listed as boarders with the Scanlon family in Cincinnati, Ward 16, Hamilton Co., Ohio. Both had emigrated from Bullaun, Co. Mayo. Martin arrived 1903, Peter 1906. This documents the chain migration pattern and the Cassidy brothers' settlement in Cincinnati.
1921 Census of England & Wales
Philip Cassidy: Boarder at 46 Queen's Road, Erdington, Birmingham, on 19 June 1921. Age 21 years 3 months, single, birthplace Charlestown, Mayo. Occupation: Despatch Clerk at Gaumont Film Hire Service, Birmingham. Nationality: Irish. This snapshot shows Philip just before his emigration to America.
Passenger Records
SS Celtic (White Star Line)
Passenger: Philip “Finny” Francis Cassidy. Age: 24 at arrival. Birthplace: "Gt Britn" (departed from England). Destination: New York. This is Philip's arrival in America. He was coming from Birmingham, where he had worked 1920–1925.
SS Cedric (White Star Line)
Passenger: Margaret Mary Cassidy ("Peggy"). Age: 25. Birthplace (manifest): "British" / "Great Britain" (traveled from England). Source: FindMyPast, "New York Passenger Lists & Arrivals" (British & Irish Roots Collection). Not found on Ellis Island because indexed as "British" not "Ireland." Manifest image saved as Margaret Cassidy Arrival on Cedric.jpg. Peggy arrived just 10 weeks after Philip—the two almost certainly coordinated their emigration.
SS Umbria (Cunard Line)
Passenger: Martin Cassidy, age 23, single, labourer, residence Bulcane (= Bullaun, Co. Mayo). Kate Cassidy: Listed on same manifest in handwriting only, age 17 (sister). Source: FindMyPast, BT 27 UK Outward Passenger Lists (The National Archives, Kew). Martin was the first Cassidy sibling to emigrate; he brought Kate with him.
SS Oceanic
Passenger: Peter Francis Cassidy, age 18, residence Bulcane (= Bullaun, Co. Mayo), nationality Ireland/Irish. Source: FindMyPast. Peter followed his brother Martin to Cincinnati three years later.
Military Records
A33 — 5 East Mayo Brigade, 3 Western Division
IRA activity details with named participants and addresses. Documents three Cassidy men in specific operations: P. Cassidy (Carracastle, age ~30) participated in the arrest of RIC Constable Forkin, a mine party, and the Tullyhill ambush (20-minute firefight). M. Cassidy (Palmfield, age ~27) listed as company member. Thos. Cassidy (Barnacahogue/Swinford, age ~43) on membership roll. Also documents M. Kilgallon, Cuilmore (relative of Bridget Kilgallon, Peggy's mother) in the Sonnagh/Finneran's Mill engagement (28 June 1921).
Cumann na mBan Membership Files (CMB/32, CMB/39, CMB/29)
Women's organization records for East Mayo Brigade showing branch strength and membership. CMB/29 (Swinford DC) contains handwritten membership lists for the Charlestown branch of Cumann na mBan and is the most promising file for identifying Cassidy women's involvement.
Naturalization Records
Philip “Finny” Francis Cassidy — Declaration of Intention
Filed: 14 July 1925, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. District Court. Naturalized: 18 March 1935, Lucas County, Ohio (Toledo). Full details: Birth 16 March 1900, Carracastle, Mayo. Occupation: Foundry Worker. Physical: 5'6", 145 lbs, dark brown hair, blue eyes, fair complexion. Nationality listed as "British" (because he departed from England). Wife: Margaret Mary, married Cincinnati 5 June 1929. Daughter: Mary Theresa, born 21 May 1930, Toledo. Last foreign residence: Birmingham, England. Emigrated from Liverpool on vessel Celtic. This document anchors Philip's American timeline.
Newspaper Clippings
Jane Gaffney Court Cases
Jane Gaffney of Falleens fined for killing a neighbor's goose (1911). Later sued for assault involving an old woman and a shawl (1913). These contemporary newspaper notices place Jane in Falleens after her husband's death and document her litigious character.
Maggie Hunt Court Records
Margaret "Maggie" Gaffney Hunt (b. 1869, Cuilmore) filed complaints against an English neighbor named Reycroft in Sligo Borough Court and Ballymote Court (1920). Also fined for an unregistered dog. These records document her agency and her disputes over property rights post-independence.
Mrs. John McShera Obituary
A Gaffney sister (maiden name not disclosed) married into the McShera family in Boyle and died January 1928. Her brother Patrick Gaffney survived her. Nieces Katie Gaffney and Bridget Gaffney listed as mourners. This obituary reveals a previously unknown Gaffney sister and suggests an additional generation.
Katie Gaffney Obituary
"Mrs. Kate (Katie) Gaffney, Owenmore House, Gurteen, deceased recently at Sligo General Hospital. Formerly of Fanleens, Monasteraden, relict of James Gaffney, native of Drumnagranshy, Keash." Katie was born in Falleens and married into the Keash Gaffney family, establishing a documented lineage between Falleens and the prominent Keash GAA footballers.
Bernard Cassidy Court Case
"Bernard Cassidy, of Gleann House, Charlestown, Co. Mayo, sued George Mulcahey, Stationmaster, Carramore, for £10 16s 5d damages." This establishes "Gleann House" as the Cassidy family home name in Charlestown and confirms Eddie Bernard Cassidy's residence in 1931.
Parish Register Coverage
The following parishes contain records for our families. Coverage dates show when microfilm registers begin; civil registration starts in 1845.
| Parish | County | Diocese | Baptisms Start | Marriages Start | Family Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castlemore & Kilcolman | Sligo | Achonry | 1851 | 1830 | Gaffney; John & Jane married here 1861 |
| Gurteen (Kilfree & Killaraght) | Sligo | Achonry | 1873 | 1844 | Gaffney; John's 1891 marriage |
| Boyle | Roscommon | Elphin | 1793 | 1793 | Gaffney; registration district for Falleens |
| Kilronan | Roscommon | Elphin | 1825 | 1825 | Gaffney; Michael marriages searched |
| Ardcarne/Cootehall | Roscommon | Elphin | 1830 | 1830 | Gaffney; Matthew's 1861 marriage |
| Aughrim | Roscommon | Elphin | 1840 | 1840 | Gaffney/Cassidy; Michael & Mary Fitzsimmons married 1890 |
| Kiltoghert | Leitrim | Elphin | 1840 | 1840 | Gaffney; Thomas baptized 1890 |
| Carracastle | Mayo | Achonry | 1853 | 1847 | Cassidy; Peggy & siblings baptized |
| Kilbeagh/Charlestown | Mayo | Achonry | 1847 (RI) / 1855 (NLI) | 1845 | Cassidy; Patrick & Bridget married 1875 |
| Kilmovee (covers Kilkelly) | Mayo | Achonry | 1854 | 1824 | Cassidy; Patrick Sr. marriages (1831, 1845) |
Why Parishes Matter
Parish registers are the backbone of pre-1845 research. Baptisms provide parents' names and sponsors (revealing extended family networks). Marriages show fathers' names and bride/groom origins. The challenge: Irish families moved frequently, and "pre-Famine" registers often don't survive. Our Gaffney baptisms from the 1820s–1840s have never been located, likely because the Kilcolman tithe book didn't survive.
Research Methodology Notes
The Handwritten Records Protocol
Many Irish civil records from the 19th century are handwritten. These can be extraordinarily difficult to read on screen, especially when photographed at an angle or in poor lighting. To solve this, we follow a protocol:
- Send Meghan the direct PDF link to the handwritten record
- Tell her specifically which fields you need read: "What is the father's name? What is the residence? Who are the witnesses?"
- Meghan reads the original record directly on screen or via printed copy and reports back
- This is much faster and more accurate than trying to decipher 19th-century handwriting via screenshots
Death Record Search Pattern
When searching for a specific person's death on IrishGenealogy.ie, follow this pattern:
- Search by name + SR district + year range + event type "Death"
- Results show year, age at death, and SR district—use age to filter plausible candidates
- Click each candidate to get the record page, then extract the PDF link
- Send PDF links to Meghan with questions: townland, informant (and their relationship), occupation
- The townland is the key identifier—match it to known locations (Falleens, Cuilmore, etc.)
The "British" Problem in Passenger Records
Irish emigrants who traveled through England before embarking to America were often indexed as "British" or "Great Britain" rather than "Ireland" on passenger manifests. This is why Margaret Cassidy (Peggy) did not appear when we searched Ellis Island for "Ireland" birthplace. She came from England (after working or living there), so the manifest listed her as "British." The solution: search multiple sources and try different birthplace filters.
Why the Gaffney Brothers Remain Elusive
Owen, Andrew, and Matthew Gaffney have left almost no trace in official records:
- No civil death records. We've searched all Irish districts 1870–1910 for Owen and Andrew deaths. Nothing. Their deaths were likely never registered.
- No census entries. They don't appear in the 1901 or 1911 Irish census, despite searches across Sligo, Roscommon, and Leitrim.
- No baptism records. RootsIreland search of 79 total Gaffney baptisms (Roscommon/Sligo/Leitrim, 1810–1845) found no match for any of the four brothers. Their baptisms either were never registered or occurred in an unsearched parish.
- The evidence is circumstantial: adjacent Griffith's plots, cross-witnessing at family weddings, shared surnames of witnesses (Flaherty, Casey). Until a single record names them as brothers, the connection remains strong but unproven.
Future Avenues
To strengthen the Patrick-John link, we still need: Griffith's Revision Books (Dublin Valuation Office), Land Commission records, Ballinameen parish records (the one unsearched neighboring parish), and possibly workhouse admission registers. These require a future trip to Dublin or direct contact with archives.
Sources & Archives Consulted
This research would not have been possible without the work of countless archivists, digitization projects, and genealogical volunteers who have made Irish records accessible online. Special thanks to:
- The Irish government for digitizing civil registration records and making them freely searchable
- The National Archives of Ireland and National Archives, Kew for preservation and microfilm programs
- The National Library of Ireland for its extensive parish register microfilm collection
- County heritage societies (Co. Sligo Heritage & Genealogy Society, County Roscommon Heritage & Genealogy Company, etc.) for funding indexed transcription projects via RootsIreland
- Local historical societies and newspaper archives in Sligo, Roscommon, and Mayo for preserving contemporary accounts
- Private genealogy services (FindMyPast, FamilySearch, Heritage.ie) for making difficult-to-access collections discoverable
Continuing Research
This record is not closed. New discoveries emerge regularly—handwritten records we thought lost sometimes resurface; parish registers are continually being indexed; and family members occasionally come forward with photographs, letters, or oral accounts. If you have documents, stories, or information about the Gaffney or Cassidy families, please see the "How You Can Help" section on the Open Questions page.