How many towns called Derry?

[Hugo Donnachie]

I have just discovered there are several places called Derry. I only knew of the city and the county, both also officially known as Londonderry.

I have an Irish ancestor family who came to Scotland and in one census gave their birthplace as Derry. They were recorded as Donachy.

I have a feeling my headache just got worse!

Hugo

 

[SPGOB]

Hello Hugo,

Interesting question !

As a native of Derry/ Londonderry in Ireland and having visited both Derry and Londonderry in the USA - in New Hampshire - I can tell you that there are quite a few other Derrys and Londonderrys. The above US towns - Derry:http://www.derry.nh.us/ and Lonndondedrry:http://www.londonderrynh.org/ - I visited are in New Hampshire and are about 3 miles apart from each other. If you have a look at the towns in Wikipedia, it will give you a good ,short history of the places - and confirm that the founders were citizens of Derry / Londonderry.

In addition to this other Londonderry, there are also the following Londonderrys in the USA, according to Multimap: http://www.multimap.com/

1.Londonderry, Guernsey, Ohio
2.Londonderry, Ross, Ohio
3.Londonderry, Windham, Vermont

In Britain, you will also find a Londonderry in Yorkshire and one in Worcestershire (have a trawl around: http://www.gazetteer.co.uk/ ). There are also at least 5 Derry place names in Britain, where Derry is a prefix to the name.

As well as these towns, you also have Derry in Pennsylvania: http://www.derryborough.org/ In fact, according to www.multimap,com there are 2 others Derrys in the USA. These are:

1.NEW DERRY, Pennsylvania
2 EAST DERRY, New Hampshire

I would imagine, if your ancestor came from Derry to Scotland, it's more than likely to have been from Derry in Ireland. There was a direct shipping link from Derry to Scotland for many, many years. If that is the confection, it should make your task a lot easier by tracing your ancestor through the Church Parish records and the many societies and groups which assist with genealogy.

What's your ancestor's connection with Derry, Hugo ? If I can assist, I'd be glad to.

Happy searching - John Bradley
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I have just discovered there are several places called Derry. I only knew of the city and the county, both also officially known as Londonderry.

I have an Irish ancestor family who came to Scotland and in one census gave their birthplace as Derry. They were recorded as Donachy.

I have a feeling my headache just got worse!

Hugo

 

[Hugo Donnachie]

Hello John,

My headache has just eased. I was given the impression that there were more Derry's in Ireland than the city and the county.

I have names but no other information about my ancestor family except they were born in Derry. In Scotland they worked as labourers, usually agricultural.

I suspect the name was spelt slightly differently in Ireland.

As large families were the norm, it is possible that other siblings of my MRA Barney Donachy also came over to Scotland.

I have happy memories of St Albans. There were several pubs which served real ales. I don't remember names but I could take you there.

Many thanks for your time and effort.

Hugo

 

[SPGOB]

Hello Hugo,

Glad to hear the infomation was of some value.

The agricultural work in Scotland would certainly tie up with Derry and Doengal. Laboureres used to catch the boat from Derry to Scotland at Potato harvesting time, particularly.

Your name is pretty common in th north of Ireland. It's usually spelt "Donaghy" and is a variant of the Irish name McDonagh. You can find a history of the Donaghy / McDonagh name at http://www.goireland.com/genealogy/family.htm?FamilyId=99

Tak care - John

Hello John,

My headache has just eased. I was given the impression that there were more Derry's in Ireland than the city and the county.

I have names but no other information about my ancestor family except they were born in Derry. In Scotland they worked as labourers, usually agricultural.

I suspect the name was spelt slightly differently in Ireland.

As large families were the norm, it is possible that other siblings of my MRA Barney Donachy also came over to Scotland.

I have happy memories of St Albans. There were several pubs which served real ales. I don't remember names but I could take you there.

Many thanks for your time and effort.

Hugo

 

[SPGOB]

Hugo,

I didn't check the Derrys in Ireland. Had a look at Multimap and here they are:

1.Derry, Ireland (general)
2.Derry, County Galway
3.Derry, County Sligo
4.Derry, County Cavan
5.Derry, County Wexford
6.Derry, County Laois

i'd be really sure that your Derry is my hhometown, hoswever.

John

Hello John,

My headache has just eased. I was given the impression that there were more Derry's in Ireland than the city and the county.

I have names but no other information about my ancestor family except they were born in Derry. In Scotland they worked as labourers, usually agricultural.

I suspect the name was spelt slightly differently in Ireland.

As large families were the norm, it is possible that other siblings of my MRA Barney Donachy also came over to Scotland.

I have happy memories of St Albans. There were several pubs which served real ales. I don't remember names but I could take you there.

Many thanks for your time and effort.

Hugo

 

[Burningbarricade]

I think that a "Derry" is a forest beside a bog, or something like that. Thats why there may be so many of them in Ireland.

Does anyone actually know if I'm right about what Derry means? I remember someone telling me once

 

[Hugo Donnachie]

Hello John,

Sorry about the delay in replying but somehow I missed your last post.

As my only pointers come from the Scottish census (what is the plural of census?) which give place of birth as Derry, Ireland for Barney and his children then it is probably Derry county that is referred to. Thiis is made more probable as they were agricultural labourers and thus unlikely to have lived in the city.

However, I do thank you for your suggestions. They got me thinking, with the above conclusion.

Hugo