Our maternal Great Great grandfather was Michael Cawley. He was a very poor farmer in a little village called Leam near Belmullet in County Mayo. He was illiterate. He died about 1869, at least I know he was alive in March 1868 and dead in Feb. 1870. His wife was Nancy Geraghty I think but haven't been able to confirm that with any written records.  He had 4 children. William Cawley born May 1839, our Great grandfather Michael born about 1844-45, Francis born Sept 1847 and Mary born 1853.  All the children and their spouses were illiterate too. I know when our g
Great grandfather (Ganny's father) Michael immigrated in 1870 and know a lot about him but don't know anything about his father Michael or his wife Nancy in case you can learn anything about them. I'm sure they never left Ireland. I have a copy of Great grandfather's marriage certificate when he married Bridget Geraghty in Jan 1868. They all changed the spelling of their names to Cauley when they immigrated since they didn't know how to spell Cawley.
-Barbara Neenan McCanse email to Mark Neenan on 6/24/20101006