Embedded Files
James Creaghan (pictured left) was born 15 August 1885 in Creeveroe, district of Killeroran, county Galway, son of Thomas Creaghan and Catherine Dowd. He was the younger brother of my great-grandad Michael Crehan. James is found on the 1901 census living in the house-hold of his uncle, John Dowd, his mother's brother, in the village of Creeveroe Ffrench, as shown linked here. From here on the Crehan spelling variation is found in the records for James
James apparently came over to Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England with his brother Michael in the early years of the 20th century. However, a list of passengers by the surname of Crehan who traveled to Ellis Island, New York records a James Crehan of Chesterfield, aged 25 in 1909. The place of residence matches as does the age - take one year. However, James appears to have returned to England as he is found on the 1911 census living in the parish of Elmton, Nottinghamshire - which is only just over the county boundary with Derbyshire. He was then living as a borderer with the Stafford family. His occupation is given as an "undeground miner - butty", place of birth as Galway, Ireland and aged 26 - which matches his year of birth.
According to spoken family history James returned to Ireland at some point where he died due to bad health. There was once speculation however that James had a daughter called Margaret who died in New Zealand or that this Margaret was the sister of James and Michael Crehan as per the correspondence from 1946 between my grandad Patrick Terrance Crehan and a solicitor called John Cahill (pictured right). However, having discussed this with my grandad it was concluded that this Margaret Crehan was neither the daughter of his uncle James or James and Michael Crehan's sister.
An Irish Blessing for Death:
I pray that you will have the blessing
of being consoled…
May you know in your soul that there is
no need to be afraid.
When your time comes, may you be given
every blessing and shelter that you need.
May there be a beautiful welcome for you
in the home that you are going to.
You are not going somewhere strange.
You are going back to the home that you
never left.
May you have a wonderful urgency to live
your life to the full.
May you live compassionately and creatively
and transfigure everything
that is negative within you and about you.
When you come to die may it be after a long life.
May you be peaceful and happy and in the presence
of those who really care for you.
May your going be sheltered and
your welcome assured.
May your soul smile in the embrace of your
anam cara (soul friend).
Google Sites
Report abuse