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The surname "DONOVAN" originated in Northern Ireland in the year 950 A.D. After subsequent conquest by invading forces, the entire clan relocated to County Clare. Two "DONOVAN" clans next appear in 1215 A.D., and there were two settlements at that time, formed in two different locations, by two DONOVAN brothers. Both of these were descendents of the original King DONOVAN.
I do Genealogy as a hobby, and I am tracing my surname "DONOVAN" family background. I believe that my Irish heritage originally came, first from Antrim County, North Ireland, and later from the 'Shannon River' area of Clare County, Ireland. My paternal great-grandfather (JAMES JOSEPH DONOVAN) and great-grandmother and his wife, (MARY E. BUCKLEY) were married at Ennis, County Clare, Ireland, in 1885. Shortly thereafter, they sailed for America, landing at Battery Park, New York City.
My Paternal Grandfather: Michael Augustus DONOVAN.
He was born, and raised, at Wysoc, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania. He first went to work for the D&L Railroad, in Elmira, Chemung Co., New York. He later took a job with the New York Central Railroad, and was relocated to Buffalo, Erie Co., New York. After retiring from the railroad, he relocated to Williamsville, Erie Co., New York, and lived there until he died.
MICHAEL'S #1 Spouse (my paternal Grandmother): Ann Catherine MacDONALD.
They were married at Syracuse, Onondaga Co., New York, in 1910. That is where Ann MacDonald was born and raised. They took up residence at Sayre, Pa. Their only child, and my father, JAMES THOMAS DONOVAN, was born there on August 27th, 1911. As things didn't work out well for my grandparents, they were divorced in 1913, when my father was only two years old. The raising of their son JAMES was entrusted to MICHAEL'S older sister, MARY (called Aunt Mame).
MICHAEL'S #2 Spouse: Mary TOURTELLOT, of Buffalo, Erie Co., N.Y.
They were married at Buffalo, Erie Co., New York, about 1922. They lived in Kenmore, near where my mother lived. They had one son, JERRY MICHAEL DONOVAN. He was born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y. He served in the U.S. Navy during WW2, and is a veteran of that war. JERRY married, after the war, at Buffalo. With his wife, Mary STONEBURNER, who was born and raised in Pennsylvania, they had four daughters. The third born daughter died young, and is buried at Buffalo. JERRY worked for the General Dynamics Plant, in Rochester, N.Y. at the beginning of his career, and that company transferred him to San Diego, Calif., in the mid 1960's. JERRY died during 1995, at San Diego, and was buried at Sea, per his request.
My grandfather, MICHAEL DONOVAN, died in 1955, at Buffalo, N.Y., and is buried at FOREST LAWN CEMETERY, in that City, along with his second spouse, Mary TOURTELLOT.
MY GREAT GRANDFATHER : JAMES JOSEPH DONOVAN :
I believe he was born at County Cork, Ireland. His death certificate, signed by his son MICHAEL, states that he was born at County KERRY, Ireland. He came to the United States in 1885, settling in Wysoc, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania. Around the year 1918, he relocated to Elmira, Chemung Co., New York.
He died at Elmira, in 1923, and is buried at:
St. Peter & St. Paul's Catholic Church, Elmira, Chemung Co., New York.
His Spouse: Mary E. BUCKLEY. They were married in 1885, at Ennis, Clare Co., Ireland. Shortly thereafter, they sailed for the United States.
James' marriage to Mary Buckley was his second marriage. His first wife, whom he married in Ireland, died in Ireland. There were no children from this union.
FAVORITE LINKS:
Schuyler Family History in America: http://millennium.fortunecity.com/playdays/578/index.html
Schuyler Genealogy: http://millennium.fortunecity.com/playdays/578/schuyler2.html
Schuyler Family: http://millennium.fortunecity.com/playdays/578/schuyler3.html
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