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| Map of Ireland in Google Earth |
County Fermanagh (pronounced fer-MAN-uh) is in Northern Ireland, two counties south of the tip-top of Ireland (Londonderry and Tyrone are above it). County Fermanagh is circled in black in the map above. Finding this out was really interesting, as Henry and Ann's son John married Catherine Cain, whose father was from County Tyrone. The Gibsons and Cains wouldn't have exactly been neighbors in Ireland, but they wouldn't have been that far apart either. I wonder if that shared point of origin played into their getting married?
According to IrishTimes.com, English and Scottish settlers moved into County Fermanagh in the early 1600s. I have to wonder if that's when my Gibson line moved to Ireland. The Gibson name isn't a native Irish surname, and when I looked at my grandpa's Y-DNA results at the 12-marker level, for those matches that list country of origin, most of them are in England. Interesting to think about, but because of the lack of records, ultimately unknowable one way or the other.
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| Civil Parishes of County Fermanagh |
The civil parish of Drumkeeran is the northernmost in the County (it's number 10 on the map above). It was originally part of Magheraculmoney parish (#18 above) but according to one website was split off around 1770.
I'm still trying to find more info on Gortnagullion itself, as it seems it's not longer extant as a town or townland. The nearest settlement seems to be Drumskinny. I'll keep researching to find out what I can about Gortnagullion.
It still amazes me that I have a place in Ireland that I can point to on a map and say "the Gibsons originated here!" I'm looking forward to learning all I can about my ancestral homeland, and hopefully seeing it in person one day.
4 comments:
40 years ago a friend of mine at School was also from Gortnagullion, I don't have any contact with him now, but know some other school friends from this general area. I was in Drumkeeran a few days ago searching for my own family. Next time I am down would you like me to take a few photos, but to be honest Google maps street view does it for us.
Gordon Dudgeon, originally from Fermanagh.
ps There is a nice Church and Grave yard,I had a look round.
40 years ago a friend of mine at School was also from Gortnagullion, I don't have any contact with him now, but know some other school friends from this general area. I was in Drumkeeran a few days ago searching for my own family. Next time I am down would you like me to take a few photos, but to be honest Google maps street view does it for us.
Gordon Dudgeon, originally from Fermanagh.
ps There is a nice Church and Grave yard,I had a look round.
That is really generous of you, thank you! Yes, I'd love some pictures of the area. Google maps is great and all, but nothing beats pictures from someone actually on the street.
I can do that, it may be a few weeks before I am down that way again. I had been at a meeting (MEN ONLY ) and had taken the opportunity before hand to take a drive round some of the townlands around there. I knew where the churches were of both the parish that you reffered to, and meant to ask of the guys at the meeting where Gortnagullion was. I am getting his email address and he should know. He is a farmer somewhere near it.
My dad used to know all that area, and it's the same old story, I never asked enough questions when he was with us.
I worked in Banking in Ireland for 39 years and retired last fall. Too much time on my hands , trying to walk the coastline, climb some mountains, see the places I missed out on or visited years ago. When the wife comes home after work she says what did you do today? Have the time I can't even remember.
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