When I was in Ireland a fourth cousin told me that our Fanning family is related to that of Aengus Fanning whose family owned The Midland Tribune in Co Offaly (Kings). Dunkerrin was also mentioned. That was all they knew.
Now that Rootsireland is a subscription site I decided to research the Eviston material I have in a folder and trawl through some records. I had come across quite a few Eviston-Fanning marriages and was curious to see if the Fannings involved were connected to my family.
Previously I had missed records as I just searched in Co Tipperary in Rootsireland. This time I did all Ireland searches and found Fanning records for Dunkerrin in Co Offaly which borders Co Tipperary.
I’ll start with the Aengus Fanning connection to the Fannings of Tipperary and the Evistons.
Aengus’s grandfather James Joseph Fanning is in the 1901 census as a doctor aged 30 living in Cumberland St Birr. He was born in Limerick St Roscrea on 10 July 1866. He married Anne Josephine Powell “Birdie” in Dublin on 6 Oct 1903. She was the daughter of Margaret O’Connor and John Powell. Witnesses at their wedding were Francis Norton and Mary Kate Powell of Birr.
Annie and James had four boys: John Leo Martin born Birr 6 Dec 1904, Arnold Francis born Birr Nov 1905, Patrick born about 1905, James Ignatius born in 1907. James Joseph, died in Bournemouth England on 17 March 1908 and is buried in Clonoghill Cemetery Co Offaly, he was only 41.
The parents of James Joseph Fanning were Martin Fanning and Mary Slattery of Roscrea Co Tipperary. Martin Fanning was born at Castleroan in Dunkerrin Parish in Sept 1829. His godparents were Martin Eviston and Judith Fanning. Martin married Mary Slattery of Glen Bower in Terryglass Parish on 17 July 1860. Witnesses were Patt Fanning and Ellen Bermingham. His second wife was Ellen Burke. Martin died in Jan 1903 aged 74 and is buried in St Cronans RC cemetery in Roscrea. He was a shopkeeper/merchant/publican in Limerick St Roscrea Co Tipperary.
Martin Fanning’s parents were William Fanning and Ellen Eviston who married in Loughmore Parish on 27th Jan 1825 witnessed by Robin Eviston and Mary Eviston. William died age 71 on 6 Mar 1866 and is buried in Dunkerrin Church of Ireland graveyard. His wife Ellen Fanning nee Eviston died Feb 7 1871 aged 70 and is buried with him. I am looking to find Ellen’s parents.
So the connection to the Fannings is through the Evistons although the Fannings of Castleroan Dunkerrin may also have a link to the Fannings of Lissaroon.
