The Devlin Family of Clonmany, Co. Donegal, Ireland.Updated February 11, 2011
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Welcome to all those interested in researching the Devlin name. The bulk of my research centers on the Devlin family from the townlands of Altahalla and Cleagh in the town of Clonmany on the Inishowen peninsula, County Donegal, Ireland.There is also quite a bit of information on the ancient homeland of the Devlins on the western shores of Lough Neagh near Ardboe, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Most of my ancestors emigrated to the United States and settled in the area of Boston, Massachusetts between 1900-1920.My grandfather's youngest brother, Joseph, who emigrated to the states in 1924, moved on to Chicago. Another brother, Daniel, remained in Clonmany until his death, although he did visit his siblings in he U.S. on a few occasions.A sister, Sarah, who initially lived in Boston, moved to New York, where she worked for a time, before returning to Massachusetts later in her life.Other siblings from this era seem to have fallen of the face of the earth. Michael, my grandfather's oldest brother (born 25 November 1878); John, the third born (20 May 1881); Anne, the fourth born (7 December 1882) and Hugh, the ninth born (23 August 1894), all seem to have disappeared. Michael and Annie were both mentioned in the 1901 Irish Census, but not in the 1911 census. John was not listed in either the 1901 or 1911 census, and Hugh was listed in both 1901 and 1911, but there is no records of his existance any time thereafter. The names Bradley, Doherty, McCarron and Harkin(s) - all from Clonmany, Donegal also figure prominently in my research.The family tree presented on this web site also includes several other family names which have, over the years, been tied to the Devlins by marriage.There's Dydzak and Jalowski of Lithuanian and Polish origins respectively, from my mother's side of the family and Whyttock, Ewan, Dollery and others of Scottish origin from my ex-wife, Elaine's side of the family.There's also the Wrightson, Harrison, Grose and others from my wife Leslie's family. As a result of this site, which Family Tree Maker no longer supports, I have recently established contact with Gintautus Striska, a second cousin, once removed, on my mother's side, who lives in Vilnius, Lithuania. This contact has resulted in a whole new line of research opening up to me at a point where I thought I was standing with my nose pressed up against the genealogy research brick wall, that is very familiar to all of us studying our family trees.Thank you Gintautus for opening a new door for me to continue my research. As an additional feature to this site, I began to add some of the Clonmany Parish records that aren't directly relevent to my family research but that other people with roots in Clonmany may find useful in their research. Since I can't continue adding that information due to this site no longer being supported by FTM for the addition of new information, I have recently partnered with Bob Norton of the Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives (IGPA). I will be sending him copies of both the Clonmany Parish Register Index, and the digital photos of all of the Clonmany parish birth and marriage records from 1852-1900. He will post all of this information in multiple archives online, for the free use of anyone wising to research their families from Clonmany.I also have a large collection of post 1900 birth and marriage records, which I will forward to him for posting in the futures. I hope you enjoy your visit to this site and that you find some useful information to help you in your research.Please drop me an e-mail if you have any ideas or requests for additional information you'd like to see posted either on this site, if possible, or information that I can send directly to you.Good Hunting.
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Daniel J. Devlin 24 Loretta Road Waltham,MA 02451 United States [email protected]
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GEDCOM Trees(viewing trees requires 4.0 or later) |
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- DEVLIN Coat of Arms (24 KB)
Coat of arms of the Devlin family.The Devlin name originated in County Tyrone near the town of Ardboe on the western shores of Lough Neagh.The majority of people found in Ireland today who have the Devlin surname still reside in County Tyrone. - The Graveyard Next to the Old Cross, Ardboe (266 KB)
A photo of the inside of Colman's Abbey in Ardboe.The church is located next to the old cross and is now used to house a cemetary.Almost all of the graves within its walls have the name Devlin inscribed on them.See the phototitled "Colman's Abbey" for an external view. - My Great-Grandfather - Daniel Devlin (49 KB)
Dan Devlin with his wife and grandchildren (L to R) Danny, his wife Sarah (nee Harkin), Mary and John Diver in Magheramore.The photo was taken about 1923 on the family farm in Clonmany. - Walter and Michalina Dydzak (15 KB)
Wedding Day, February 18, 1917 in South Boston, Massachusetts - Townies (106 KB)
A photo from about the 1930s of my father's boyhood friends.Back row: John Hennessey and Mike Doherty.Front row (L to R) Barney Brennan, John Vesey and Ralph Smith. - My Son - Conor Michael Devlin (24 KB)
This photo is from August 2002, Conor's final year playing for the Hudson Bears Pop Warner Football team.The team won their division and went to the state finals where they were defeated by Nashua. - Patrolman James Devlin (89 KB)
A photograph of my father circa 1953, after he became a Boston Police Officer. - Mamore Gap (79 KB)
A small roadside chapel located in Mamore Gap, near Clonmany. - Cleagh Map (438 KB)
The Ordnance Survey map from circa 1857 with notations for property markings and tenant dwellings for use with Griffith's Valuation for the townland of Cleagh, Clonmany, County Donegal. - My Mother and Father (55 KB)
A photograph of my mother and father while they were dating. - The Old Cross (130 KB)
The Ardboe Cross. Located 7 km east of Coagh, Co. Tyrone, on the shore of Lough Neagh stands Northern Ireland's best example of a 10th century sculptured cross. The cross is 5.6m tall and the arms span over 1m. The cross is represented on the Devlin coat of arms. The area around Ardboe, also known as Muintirevlin, is derived from the Irish Muintir Doibhlin meaning "the people of Devlin", or the land where the O'Devlin lived. It seems fairly certain that at some time in the middle of the 11th century, the ancestors of the Devlins first occupied the territory later known as Muinterevlin. The ancestors of the O Devlins in earlier times occupied Drumleene, which is just north of Lifford. - Altahalla Map (450 KB)
The Ordnance Survey map from circa 1857 with notations for property markings and tenant dwellings for use with Griffith's Valuation for the townland of Altahalla, Clonmany, County Donegal. - 104 Nonantum Street, Brighton, Massachusetts (131 KB)
The house in which I grew up.It looks quite a bit different today, but it's still there.My mother finally sold the house on May 15, 2002. - Adam's Boot Camp Photo. (75 KB)
Adam's photo from RTC Great Lakes, taken in January 2001. - Colman's Abbey (34 KB)
Today the remains of two churches stand close together overlooking Lough Neagh. The smaller of these, now greatly ruined and overgrown with nettles and weeds, dates possibly from the same time as Colman's Abbey. Its dimensions are 34 feet by 14 feet. It is difficult to say when the other church was built, but judging from its east window, now incorporated in the Church of Ardboe, it probably belongs to the middle of the 16th Century.Both the photo and text are from the Coyle's Cottage website (see Related Links below). - Dan Devlin and John Hume (100 KB)
A photo of me with John Hume, MEP and Nobel Peace Prize Recipient, taken at the opening of a center forMS sufferers in Strabane on March 28, 2003. - My Maternal Grandfather (31 KB)
A photograph of Wladyslaw "Walter" Dydzak probably taken in the 1920s. - Dan Turns 50 (604 KB)
A photo of me at my 50th birthday party in Hudson, New Hampshire - August 5, 2005 - My Maternal Grandmother and her eldest son (38 KB)
A photograph of Michalina Dydzak (nee Jalowska) and her oldest son Walter taken between 1919-1920. - Devlin's at Crossconnell (65 KB)
A photograph of James Devlin's taken in the early 1900's. The establishment in the photograph is now a bar/restaurant called "The Rusty Nail" (See http://www.clonmany.com/sponsors/rustynail.shtml on the Clonmany Website for details). This James Devlin was probably not a direct ancestor of mine but was almost certainly related to my ancestors, as is probably the case with all of the Devlins in Clonmany. - Muinterevlin, Ardboe, County Tyrone (39 KB)
A rough sketch map of the ancient homeland of the original Devlin. - The waterfall at Glenevin, Clonmany. (99 KB)
This waterfall is located near the Glen House at Glenevin (the fair glen) in Clonmany. The water falls 40 feet into a pool known as Pohl-na-eas, or the ferment pool. The pool is thus named because of the foam with which its surface is constantly covered. - Clonmany Parish Register (350 KB)
Volume 1, pages 48 and 49 of the Clonmany Parish Register. The marriage of my great-grandfather, Dan Devlin to my great-grandmother, Sarah Harkins in contained on page 49. - A more recent photo of myself (17 KB)
Dan at home May 2001 - My Mother, Sisters, Brother and Me (51 KB)
This photo was taken in December 1997 when the family gathered for Christmas dinner in Brighton, Massachusetts.Front row (l-r): Jean, Elaine, Betty.Back row (l-r) Mark, Edna (my mother), Barbara and me. - My Sisters, Brother, and Me (291 KB)
Another photo of my sisters, brother and me (this time without my mother - who can blame her)- this one taken about 1961 at our house in Brighton.Back Row (l-r) Jean, Barbara, Betty.Front Row (l-r) Elaine, Me and Mark. - Dan "Den" Devlin (65 KB)
My grandfather's younger brother Dan.A very colorful character who was reputed to be a smuggler, bootlegger, and lifelong member of the IRA. - St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Clonmany (49 KB)
A photo of the newly renovated St. Mary's. - A Small Map of the Inishowen Peninsula (51 KB)
Clonmany is one of many towns located on the Inishowen Peninsula at the northernmost part of Ireland. - Clonmany, County Donegal, Ireland (48 KB)
Two views of the Town of Clonmany taken during one of my visits there in July 1998. - A Devlin Wedding (46 KB)
Chicago, June 1952-Seated (L to R) are:Paul Kenny, the bride's brothers John W. and James D. Devlin, the groom's parents Mrs. Anna Collins and Mr. J. Collins, the brides parent's Mrs. Mary (Loftus) Devlin and Mr. Joseph Devlin, Mrs. Agnes (Devlin) Kenny, Mr. Martin O'Hara and Mrs. Catherine (Cassie Devlin) O'Hara.Joseph, Agnes and Cassie are 3 of my grandfather James' 10 siblings. - County Donegal (41 KB)
Clonmany is located on the Inishowen peninsula in county Donegal, in the province of Ulster, Republic of Ireland. - The Old Cross II (92 KB)
Another (side) view of the Old Cross at Ardboe. - Conor's School Picture - 2001 (61 KB)
Conor's seventh grade school photo.Conor is 12 year old in the picture.This photo was taken at Hudson Memorial Middle School, Hudson, New Hampshire. - My Grandfather - James Daniel Devlin (61 KB)
This photo of my grandfather James was probably taken in the early 1900s.It may be his wedding photo.(See my grandmother's photo below) - Devlin Graves in the Colman's Abbey Graveyard (266 KB)
A group of graves inscribed with the name Devlin which are contained within the walls a the ruins at Colman's Abbey in Ardboe, County Tyrone. - My Father - James Gerard Devlin (56 KB)
A photograph of my father taken in Boston, Massachusetts in July 1978. He died about a month and a half later. - Another Coat of Arms for the Devlin Family (64 KB)
This Coat of Arms is a bit more ornate. - The Strand at Binnion (81 KB)
A photo of the Strand (beach) at Binnion, Clonmany. - The Guns Used in the Black and Tan Slayings (20 KB)
This is a photo of the actual handguns that were used in the slaying of Murdock and Clarke some 82 years ago.They are still in working order. - The Obligatory Baby Photo (46 KB)
A photo of me at about 3-4 months old. The reason I look so big for my age is that I weighed in at a whopping 11 pounds, 6 ounces at birth. According to my mother most of the weight was my head. - My Paternal Grandmother - Theresa Bradley (69 KB)
A photo of my father's mother Theresa Devlin (nee Bradley).The picture was taken taken in the early 1900s at Gred Green Photographic Studio, 1400 Court Street, Boston.This may be my grandmother's wedding picture based on the dress she is wearing. - Ordnance Survey Map of Clonmany (434 KB)
A cropped version of the Ordnance Survey Map(Ireland) Discovery Series Number 3.The full map covers the Inishowen Peninsula.I have cropped only the portion which shows Clonmany and some of the surrounding townlands. - My Son - Adam James Devlin (13 KB)
A photograph of my oldest son Adam taken during his junior year at Alvirne High School, Hudson, New Hampshire in 1998. - DYDZAK Coat of Arms (126 KB)
The coat of arms of my maternal grandfather's surname.The name seems to originate in northeastern Poland and Lithuania.My grandfather was from the capitol of Lithuania; Vilnus. - Me - Daniel James Devlin (38 KB)
A photo of me taken in Hudson, New Hampshire in 1998. - JALOWSKI Coat of Arms (131 KB)
The coat of arms of my maternal grandmother's family.This surname is found mostly in the northeast of Poland near Suwalki. - James D. and Theresa Devlin (7 KB)
A photograph of James Devlin (my grandfather) and Theresa Bradley Devlin (my grandmother), probably taken in the mid to late 1950's in Charlestown, MA. - BRADLEY Coat of Arms (1) (40 KB)
One of two Bradley Coats of Arms.Bradley is the surname of my paternal grandmother.I'm not sure which coat of arms is associated with her Bradleys so I'm posting both. - BRADLEY Coat of Arms (2) (39 KB)
One of two Bradley Coats of Arms.Bradley is the surname of my paternal grandmother.I'm not sure which coat of arms is associated with her Bradleys so I'm posting both.
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- Extract from the 1901 Census of Ireland (62 KB)
This file contains information on the Devlin family of Cleagh which was extracted from the 1901 Census of Ireland. - Extract from the 1911 Census of Ireland (107 KB)
This file contains information on the Devlin family of Cleagh which was extracted from the 1911 Census of Ireland. - Harkin Births in Clonmany 1853-1900 (145 KB)
Births registered under the surname Harkin in the parish of Clonmany between 1853 and 1900. The names are listed by Father's first name and the dates are in European format (day/month/year). The last two columns contain the number of the register (1 or 2) and the page on which the subject entry may be found.The original registers are located at the Clonmany Parish House in Clonmany. - Notes on Irish Naming Traditions (2 KB)
The Irish used a very traditional method in naming their children.Each child was named in a particular order after a relative of the husband or wife.The Irish traditions of selecting children's names may actually prove a good tool for anyone trying to research Irish family history. - The Surname Devlin in the Clonmany OAP Claims (12 KB)
The OAP information was collected in the 1908-1921 period and provides genealogical details of people born in the 1820-1850 period. - Ireland under coercian - The Project Gutenberg (6 KB)
The official account of an affair inDonegal, the result of the gospel of "Boycotting" taught in that region in the 1800s. - Clonmany Marriages-Complete Listing 1852-1900 (613 KB)
Thanks to Alex Harvey for transcribing the entire Clonmany Parish Marriage Register for the years 1852-1900.This listing contains all marriages which took place in Clonmany between the subject dates. - Devlin Births in Clonmany 1853 -1900 (138 KB)
Births registered under the surname Devlin in the parish of Clonmany between 1853 and 1900.The names are listed by Father's first name and the dates are in European format (day/month/year).The last two columns contain the number of the register (1 or 2) and the page on which the subject entry may be found.The original registers are located at the Clonmany Parish House in Clonmany. - Clonmany Marriages-Complete Listing-By Wife (613 KB)
Listing of all Clonmany marriages which took place from 1852-1900.This list is sorted by the bride's surname.Once again, thanks to Alex Harvey of Glasgow for his work in transcribing the records. - Devlin Marriages in Clonmany 1853-1900 (50 KB)
Marriages registered under the surname Devlin in the parish of Clonmany between 1853 and 1900.The names are listed first by the Groom's (all Devlins) first name and in the second half by the bride's (all Devlins)first name.All dates are in European format (day/month/year).The last two columns contain the number of the register (1 or 2) and the page on which the subject entry may be found.The original registers are located at the Clonmany Parish House in Clonmany. - Devlin gravestone markings in the Clonmany area. (33 KB)
Gravestone inscriptions which contain the surname Devlin. These inscriptions were recorded from gravestones in and around the town of Clonmany. A couple of photos are included. - A Short History of the Surname DEVLIN (36 KB)
This file contains a very brief history of the Devlin surname.Much of the information contained herein was extracted from the book "The Story of an Irish Sept - The O'Develins of Tyrone" by Joseph Chubb Develin (Philadelphia: 1951). - Devlin Deaths in Inishowen (5 KB)
Deaths of people with the surname DEVLIN that were reported to the Registrar's Office in Dublin from the Poor Law Union of Inishowen between 1864-1901 - Devlin Births in Clonmany 1900-1926 (58 KB)
Devlin births listed in Register 3 & 4 for the years 1900-1926.This information was compiled by Alex Harvey and his wife on a recent visit to Clonmany.I'd like to thank them for their contribution. - Bradley Births in Clonmany 1853-1900 (6 KB)
Births registered under the surname Bradley in the parish of Clonmany between 1853 and 1900. The names are listed by Father's first name and the dates are in European format (day/month/year). The last two columns contain the number of the register (1 or 2) and the page on which the subject entry may be found. The original registers are located at the Clonmany Parish House in Clonmany. - Altahalla-Tithe Applotment & Griffith's Valuation (3 KB)
The complete list of landholders and/or residents for the townland of Altahal (or Altahalla), Clonmany parish, County Donegal as contained in the Tithe Applotment Book of 1826 and Griffith's Valuation of 1857. - Devlin Heraldry (1 KB)
It appears that the Devlin Coat of Arms has been granted to two different families. - Bradley Marriages in Clonmany 1853 - 1900 (31 KB)
Marriages registered under the surname Bradley in the parish of Clonmany between 1853 and 1900. The names are listed by the Groom's (all Bradleys) first name. There were no female Bradley marriages noted in the register.All dates are in European format (day/month/year). The last two columns contain the number of the register (1 or 2) and the page on which the subject entry may be found. The original registers are located at the Clonmany Parish House in Clonmany. - The Name Devlin inthe Annals of the Four Masters (8 KB)
I have found five occurances of the surname Devlinmentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters. - Dan Devlin, Sinn Fein and the Black and Tans (18 KB)
A short narrative of Dan Devlin's involvement with Sinn Fein and the killing of two RIC Constables:Alexander F. Clarke and Charles Murdock in Clonmany on May 10, 1921. - McCarron Births in Clonmany 1853 - 1900 (67 KB)
Births registered under the surname McCarron in the parish of Clonmany between 1853 and 1900. The names are listed by Father's first name and the dates are in European format (day/month/year). The last two columns contain the number of the register (1 or 2) and the page on which the subject entry may be found. The original registers are located at the Clonmany Parish House in Clonmany. - News from Clonmany's past (5 KB)
Clonmany has had a reputation in the past for being a very private village with deep-rooted religious beliefs and little tolerance for outsiders.That is not the case today, but from the attached articles, we can see how things have changed. - Devlin Marriages in Clonmany 1899-1948 (113 KB)
Marriages in the town of Clonmany between 1899-1948.This list is sorted in three different ways.First, by date, second by the (Devlin) Husband's father's first name and finally by the (Devlin) Wife's father's first name.Thanks to Alex Harvey for his research and contribution. - McCarron Marriages in Clonmany 1853 - 1900 (101 KB)
Marriages registered under the surname McCarron in the parish of Clonmany between 1853 and 1900. The names are listed by the Groom's (all McCarrons) first name and then, on a second list by Bride's first name (also all McCarrons). All dates are in European format (day/month/year). The last two columns contain the number of the register (1 or 2) and the page on which the subject entry may be found. The original registers are located at the Clonmany Parish House in Clonmany. - Girls just wanna have fun (6 KB)
An incident report from the 1930s - Harkin Marriages in Clonmany 1853-1900 (52 KB)
Marriages registered under the surname Harkin in the parish of Clonmany between 1853 and 1900. The names are listed by the Groom's (all Harkin) first name and then by the Bride's first name (All Harkin). All dates are in European format (day/month/year). The last two columns contain the number of the register (1 or 2) and the page on which the subject entry may be found. The original registers are located at the Clonmany Parish House in Clonmany. - Finner Camp, near Clonmany (5 KB)
A short history of the army camp held at various times by the British army, Black and Tans, Sinn Fein and the IRA.
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