Jim Cavanagh Ancestors

Check out early Cavanagh (Clann Chaomhánach) history - 1100s to 1700s in Ireland.

Research on our branch of the Cavanagh family began with this early family tree. Along the way we found, in typical genealogy research fashion, much conflicting and confusing information. What follows is the result of that research - and only the beginning of more study.

From Parkmore Townland, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

to Thessalon, Ontario, Canada

1833 - John Kavanagh marries Catherine Kenny in Tomacork Parish, Diocese of Ferns, Co. Wicklow, Ireland on Feb. 18.

1836 - Patrick is born, and is baptized Oct. 19 in Tomacork parish church.

1852 – In the last stages of the so-called “Surplus People” clearances of the Coolattin Estate of Lord Fitzwilliam, John and Katherine, tenant farmers, and 5 of their 6 children emigrate from Ireland to Canada in a 52-day voyage on the ship “Confiance”. The family lives in Toronto for a while and eventually settles in Vespra Township, near Barrie, to farm.

Jim Cavanagh has a copy of "Surplus People"

A web site dedicated to Irish-Canadian immigrants from the Coolattiin Estate - http://www.coollattincanadianconnection.com/

1866 – Patrick, son of John, marries Susan(nah) McBride and they begin raising their family of 12 in Barrie and on the farmstead in Vespra Township.

1909 – Frank, son of Patrick, purchases a drug store in Thessalon, Ontario and begins a career of more than 50 years as a pharmacist in the town.

1915 – Frank marries Agnes Healy of Smith’s Falls, a teacher at the Thessalon Public School. They raise their family of 4 children in Thessalon.

1939 - James Healy "Jim" Cavanagh, son of Frank and Agnes is killed in a traffic accident while training as an RAF Pupil Pilot. The date was Sept. 5, 1939, two days after Britain declared war on Germany. Read an excerpt from the book "Letters Home".

1945 – Jack, son of Frank, marries Florence Bartlett, studies pharmacy, and joins father Frank in the Cavanagh Pharmacy in Thessalon. They raise a family of 9 children and 23 grand-children.

1946 – Jim Cavanagh, son of Jack, is born.

1970 - Jim marries Gert Strasser in London, Ontario.

2003 - Jim meets Garry Cavanaugh of Barrie, great-grandson of Patrick's brother James Kavanagh - and information for a whole branch is added to the tree!

In Memoriam - In honour of those who have gone before.