Feeney and Cooney families near Elphin, Roscommon, Ireland

[William D'Amico]

My great grandfather's name was Michael William Feeney (sometimes listed as William Michael Feeney). His U.S. naturalization papers say that he sailed from Londonderry to New York in June of either 1884 or 1886 when he would have been 10 or 12 years old. Supposedly his parents' names were Patrick and Catherine (Cooney) Feeney from Elphin, Ireland, but I've been unable to find further documentation to confirm that. I've located his 1910, 1920, and 1930 census records from Omaha, NE as well as his 1905 marriage license, but have no confirmed documentation for him prior to 1905 despite the fact that he would have been in the U.S. for about 20 years by that time.

I found a 1901 census for a Catherine Feeney listed as a widow of age 60 with her kids in Elphin that I believe might possibly be his mother and siblings. However, I have not found additional documentation to help confirm or refute that assertion. I've also looked through passenger lists of ships arriving in NY during June of 1884 and 1886, but have had no luck finding a listing for my great grandfather.

I was wondering if anyone might have some information on Feeneys in the Elphin area that might help shed some light on my search. I took a 2-week vacation to Ireland in 2003, but I hadn't even narrowed down the search to County Roscommon at that time so my efforts at the National Register Office in Dublin weren't very fruitful.

I look forward to hearing back from anyone on this topic.

Thanks,

Bill D'Amico
Wichita, KS, U.S.A.