I've managed to trace back to Francis McGrath, who was probably born around 1810. I'm not sure where he was actually born but he was in Clady Parish, County Armagh in the early 1830s when his son, James, was born. Francis was married to Rose Vallely. I don't know how many children they had. Common names in this McGraw line are Francis (Frank), Henry, James and John. Those names seem to be found in every generation. James McGrath/McGraw left Ireland and settled in Hamilton, Ontario Canada around 1850. A few years later he married Mary Devan(ey) and they had a large family. Only one of their children stayed in Canada (my great-grandfather). The rest of the kids moved to the U.S.
My McGraw research took me back to Michael McGraw (born about 1819 in Ireland and died 1911 Cleveland, Ohio). I believe he married Catherine Sands also from Ireland (1830-1896). They settled in Shelby, Richland, Ohio and had 11 children (Mary, William, Thomas, Margaret, Henry, James, George, Bridget, Catherine, Michael, John). Most of the children moved to Cleveland and were associated with the railroad. I have connected with a few of the McGraw lines. I believe Michael was from Tipperary but have no proof.
Likewise I have no proof of the Armagh connection either. I found my lead from the marriage registration of James in Canada. He stated that's where he was from but I've never found proof, and we all know what that can mean...
Another thing I've never found is the immigration route James took. I don't know if he came directly to Canada or entered via the U.S. I do know that back in the 1800s there weren't a lot of families in this area named McGrath/McGraw and there are even less now. It's almost impossible to trace the females in this family - James married a woman named Mary. Three of James' sons named women named Mary and James had a daughter named Mary so you can imagine how confusing it gets looking for Mary McGraw!
My earliest McGraw is James McGraw who was born about 1796 in Scotland or Ireland (depending on which child you are following in which census) . James married Phoebe Thompson about 1818 and the first known child was Edward McGraw born 18 Oct 1818 probably in Jefferson County, NY. In both the 1825 state census and the 1830 Federal Census the family are located in Lyme, Jefferson Co., NY. James died in Sept 1831 probably in Jefferson Co., NY. Phoebe and James had eight children - Edward, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Henry S., Andrew L, James, Cornealy and William. After James died Phoebe married James Alysworth who probably died a few years later. By 1839 Phoebe and at least part of her children are in Chicago and she married Samuel Grannis. My line is Edward McGraw who married Esther Sumner - there is some thought that James may have lived in Canada before coming to NY - however I have nothing on that.
My McGraw ancestor was Ephraim McGraw, b. c. 1794 in SC. He settled in GA. Many of his ancestors stayed in GA, but several moved to central and north AL.
I am looking for any info on a relative named Catherine McGrathborn - in 1840 I think in Ireland Died Jul 8 1911 and i believe died in Canada. married to Jeremiah Burnsborn - 1836 in Hillard, Ireland. Died- Apr 1 1876 in Dawn Canada. I would be glad to share any info that I would get after that if I would find any.
I am looking for the family of Samuel McGrath,sr, born 1790 in Limerick,Co. Cork,Ireland; died October 19, 1877 in Victoria Beach, Annapolis Co., Nova Scotia16. He was the son of Dennis McGrath,1st,jr and . ?. He married Nancy Litch June 21, 1820 in Granville, Annapolis Co., Nova Scotia
We have a great family history back to the 1700's. My five times great-grandfather is Martin McGraw, Sr. He was married to Margaret (Polly) ??. We can't find anything past this point. Martin must have come from somewhere. We've checked ship manifests and all points of entry and have come up with nothing. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Mona
HI! I am Dolores McGrath Faubert, and have been researching my family of McGrath (McGraw) for over 10 years. The furthest I have gone is Michael Stephen, McGrath , Cork ,Ireland or Tipperary Ireland. I have not been able to find the boat that he might of crossed and who he came with. This is here-say but apparently he would have crossed with brother but we have no information on that at all to confirm that. My gr. gr. gr. gr.was Michael Stephen (Steven) McGrath from Ireland and apparently came of the boat in Quebec city . He was in Tracadie, New Brunswick and was one of the founders of Tracadie Sheila, New Brunswick ,Canada. If anyone has information please contact me . doreendo@hotmail.com
Sorry he was born 1749 ? approx. he died in the spring of 1819 his records show that he was buried August 19, 1819 buried in the Founders Cemetery in Tracadie, New Brunswick ... married Felicite Le-Breton
I have a question for you Mona, is that really the crest of the McGrath,(McGraw) ... I was told the one for us McGrath's has 2 lions... Thanks, Dolores
Frankie McGraw-Nicol
Jul 7, 2009
Meghan Dewhurst-Conroy
Jul 7, 2009
Frankie McGraw-Nicol
Another thing I've never found is the immigration route James took. I don't know if he came directly to Canada or entered via the U.S. I do know that back in the 1800s there weren't a lot of families in this area named McGrath/McGraw and there are even less now. It's almost impossible to trace the females in this family - James married a woman named Mary. Three of James' sons named women named Mary and James had a daughter named Mary so you can imagine how confusing it gets looking for Mary McGraw!
Jul 7, 2009
Sue McGraw Robertson
Aug 1, 2009
Darrell McGraw
Oct 18, 2009
Joseph Eric Hoffman
May 2, 2010
Carol Brennan Moss
May 3, 2010
Carol Rowe
Aug 31, 2010
Mona McGraw
Jun 24, 2011
Dolores McGrath,Faubert
HI! I am Dolores McGrath Faubert, and have been researching my family of McGrath (McGraw) for over 10 years. The furthest I have gone is Michael Stephen, McGrath , Cork ,Ireland or Tipperary Ireland. I have not been able to find the boat that he might of crossed and who he came with. This is here-say but apparently he would have crossed with brother but we have no information on that at all to confirm that. My gr. gr. gr. gr.was Michael Stephen (Steven) McGrath from Ireland and apparently came of the boat in Quebec city . He was in Tracadie, New Brunswick and was one of the founders of Tracadie Sheila, New Brunswick ,Canada. If anyone has information please contact me . doreendo@hotmail.com
Feb 13, 2013
Dolores McGrath,Faubert
Sorry he was born 1749 ? approx. he died in the spring of 1819 his records show that he was buried August 19, 1819 buried in the Founders Cemetery in Tracadie, New Brunswick ... married Felicite Le-Breton
Feb 13, 2013
Dolores McGrath,Faubert
I have a question for you Mona, is that really the crest of the McGrath,(McGraw) ... I was told the one for us McGrath's has 2 lions... Thanks, Dolores
Feb 13, 2013