Thomas Fanning was born about 1825 and died 1898 in Thurles Co Tipperary Ireland. He was a grocer in New St Thurles and his wife was Anastasia. He is related to my family but as yet I have been unable to work out the exact relationship. Any help much appreciated.
This memorial card was sent to me by the granddaughter of Bridget Mullaney nee Fanning (c1858-1935). Bridget was the daughter of Catherine Ryan and Michael Fanning of Lissaroon. Michael Fanning was a first cousin of my gggrandfather William Patrick Fanning.
In her letter Delia believes this Thomas Fanning was a first cousin of her grandmother Bridget Mullany’s and also a granduncle of Archbishop O’Donnell of Brisbane.
Archbishop O’Donnell is related to Sarah Sheehan nee Fanning my gggrandfather’s sister. The letter printed in this post outlines the relationship between the O’Donnells and Sheehans.
If he is a granduncle of Archbishop O’Donnell then he is Sarah’s and William Patrick’s brother Thomas. But I have no record of there being a brother Thomas from the Parish birth records for Edmond Fanning and Judy Darmody from 1809-1829.
Given that he was born about 1825 he looks to be too old to be a first cousin of Bridget Mullany nee Fanning.
It is possible that he was a son of William Fanning and Hanera Cormick, as they most likely had more than three children.
Wm Fannin and Sarah Ryan likewise probably had more children, so there are other Fanning lines untraced out there that Thomas could have belonged to.
In this post there is a descendant report for William Fannin to three generations.
I found one marriage record for a Thomas Fanning and an Anastasia which seems to fit with the information I have so far. Her name was entered as Anto. The groom’s father William was listed as deceased on the record.
At first I was skeptical because Ballyduff townland listed in the Alphabetical Index to The Townlands and Towns of Ireland only has a Ballyduff in Dorrha Parish a long way from Thurles. But googgling Ballyduff I discovered a Ballyduff which is in the right area, 8.6 km from Thurles and 3.9kms from Moyne Village.
I also came across some information on Ballyduff as an alternative townland name in the Parish of Inshyofogerty in the Civil Survey 1654-1656 . Inshyofogerty being an old name for Inch Parish. This would certainly fit with Thomas being a related Fanning.
Shanballyduff in Rahelty Parish was also shortened to Ballyduff in records.
The William O’Connell who was a witness is most probably Thomas’ brother in law, being married to Johanna Fanning.
Civil Death Record for Thomas Fanning c 1825-1898 Thurles Co Tipperary Ireland
On the Co Tipperary Census for 1901 there is an Anastasia Fanning (spelt as Faning) living at 24 New Street, widow and grocer, living in what is described as a provisions store. I think this is the wife of Thomas.
Recently I came across a list of relatives attending a Fanning related funeral.
Michael O’Connell was the son of William O’Connell and Judy (Johanna) Fanning of Lissaroon. She was my ggggrandfather’s first cousin. In the list of attendees there is a Mrs Thomas Fanning senior and a Mrs Thomas Fanning jun both of Thurles and relatives of the deceased.
The younger Mrs Thomas Fanning would have been Ellen Fanning nee Sheehan and in 1899 she would have been 43 years old. She was a shopkeeper/publican in Quarry St Thurles.
The older Mrs Thomas Fanning would have been Anastasia Fanning nee Kirwin who was a shopkeeper in New St (now Parnell St) and she would have been 79 at the time of the funeral of Michael O’Connell. This is further evidence of a close link to the Lisaroon Fanning family. It is very probable that the above Thomas Fanning was the son of William Fannin and Honora Cormack of Lisaroon.
