The Donaghmoyne Network
Five Couples, One Parish, Connected by DNA
Proving connections between five couples married in Donaghmoyne parish, County Monaghan, Ireland (1841–1858)—whose descendants scattered across five American destinations over fifty years of emigration
The Research Question
Can DNA evidence combined with documentary research prove that five couples married in Donaghmoyne parish between 1841 and 1858 were part of an interconnected family network?
Between 1841 and 1858, five couples married in the small Catholic parish of Donaghmoyne in County Monaghan, Ireland. Over the following fifty years, their families would disperse across North America—to Montreal and Chicago, to Wisconsin and Nebraska, to Joliet, Illinois, to St. Louis, Missouri, and to the copper mines of Butte and Anaconda, Montana.
DNA testing has revealed that descendants of these five couples share genetic connections that cluster in distinct but overlapping patterns. This case study brings together documentary evidence and DNA analysis to prove how these families were connected in Ireland, and to establish the most likely relationships between them.
The Five Couples
Married in Donaghmoyne Parish, County Monaghan, 1841–1858
| Couple | Marriage | Destination | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Hamall & Mary McMahon | 1841 | Montreal → Chicago | DNA Validated |
| Owen Hammel & Ann King | 1846 | Wisconsin → Nebraska | DNA Validated |
| Susan Hamill & Charles McCanna | 1846 | Joliet, Illinois | DNA Validated |
| James Hamill Sr. & Ann Gartlan | 1858 | Stayed in Ireland (Dian townland) | DNA Validated |
| ↳ James Hamill & Kate Gartlan | 1909 | Dian, Monaghan → Anaconda, Montana | DNA Validated |
| ↳ Patrick J. Hamill & Catherine Barry | c. 1895 | Dian, Monaghan → St. Louis, Missouri | DNA Validated |
| ↳ Henry Hamill & Mary Frances McElligott | 1894 | Dian, Monaghan → St. Louis, Missouri | DNA Validated |
| ↳ Anna Hamill & Michael Keenan | 1890 | Dian, Monaghan → Anny, Kilmurry, Monaghan | DNA Validated |
| ↳ Bridget Hamill & Owen Kirley | 1901 | Dian, Monaghan → Beagh, Crosslara, Monaghan | DNA Validated |
The Working Hypothesis
Owen Hammel, Henry Hamall, and James Hamill (father of Susan) were brothers, children of an as-yet-unidentified Hamill couple in Donaghmoyne parish, likely married c. 1810–1815.
James Hamill Sr. (1827–1914), father of the Montana and Missouri emigrants, connects to this sibling group through a collateral line—possibly as a cousin or nephew rather than a brother, given the age gap and DNA patterns.
Susan Hamill's husband Charles McCanna may provide an additional McMahon connection, potentially linking the McCanna family to Mary McMahon (wife of Henry Hamall) and explaining some of the shared DNA patterns.
Connection Status
How each relationship is supported by evidence
Brothers and sisters — children of James Hamill Sr. & Ann Gartlan of Dian. Documentary evidence confirms sibling relationship (including Peter's death certificate); strong DNA connections between descendants across 5 children's lines.
Strongest DNA matches between these clusters. Pattern consistent with close relationship (brothers or first cousins).
Strong DNA matches between these clusters, suggesting close family relationship in Donaghmoyne.
Susan Hamill descendants share definite matches with Owen Hammel descendants. This connection is confirmed through DNA analysis.
Research is ongoing to identify DNA clusters that tie all of these Hamill couples who originated from the same parish in County Monaghan. The goal is to establish how these families interconnect.
One promising match has been identified on another testing platform that appears to connect these lines, but requires further exploration. Shared matches through other clusters also point to common Monaghan ancestry. May indicate more distant relationship (cousins rather than siblings).
Key Findings
The Research Gap
The primary gap in this research is the parental generation. If Owen Hammel, Henry Hamall, and James Hamill (father of Susan) were indeed brothers, their parents likely married in Donaghmoyne around 1810–1815. Identifying this couple would definitively prove the sibling relationship.
The relationship between this proposed sibling group and James Hamill Sr. (1827–1914) also requires clarification. The lack of direct DNA matches between Henry's descendants and James Sr.'s descendants, combined with the younger birth year of James Sr., suggests he may connect through a collateral line—perhaps as a nephew or cousin rather than a brother.
Research continues to identify DNA clusters that tie all of these Hamill couples who had their start in the same parish in Monaghan. While Susan Hamill descendants definitely share matches with Owen's descendants, more testing and analysis is needed to establish the complete network of connections.
Key to solving the puzzle: Pre-Famine records—particularly the Tithe Applotment Books (1823–1838)—may hold the answer. A "Henry Hamil" appears in Edengilrevy townland in 1824, potentially representing the father or uncle of our subjects.
Complete Case Study Package
Six interconnected components demonstrating professional genealogical methodology
The James Hamill & Ann Gartlan Line
7-Episode Documentary Biography
Complete series tracing all documented children of James Hamill Sr. and Ann Gartlan from Dian townland to Montana, Missouri, and beyond.
- Episode 1: The Parents Who Stayed in Dian
- Episode 2: James — Montana
- Episode 3: Patrick J. — Missouri
- Episode 4: Anna Keenan — Ireland
- Episode 5: Bridget Kirley — Ireland
- Episode 6: Henry — Missouri
- Episode 7: DNA Review
BCG Evidence Analysis
The Documentary Foundation
Comprehensive analysis of documentary evidence meeting BCG standards—from Irish marriage records to American vital records across five destinations.
- Marriage records from Donaghmoyne parish
- Griffith's Valuation geographic analysis
- Migration evidence across three countries
- The Gartlan connection documented
- McCanna-McMahon question explored
Methodology
Research Standards & Approach
Detailed explanation of research methods including BCG standards application, DNA analysis techniques, and how documentary and genetic evidence correlate.
- BCG Genealogical Standards applied
- DNA cluster analysis methodology
- Triangulation techniques
- Correlation of evidence types
- Addressing the hypothesis
DNA Evidence Analysis
Cluster-by-Cluster Analysis
BCG-compliant DNA analysis showing how four clusters connect, the role of triangulation, and ongoing research to identify clusters tying all Hamill couples.
- Four DNA cluster profiles
- Triangulation analysis
- The Gartlan thread across clusters
- Gap analysis: Henry to James Sr.
- Confidence levels for each connection
Are You Connected to This Network?
If you descend from any Hamill, Hamall, Hammel, McCanna, Gartlan, or McMahon family with roots in County Monaghan—particularly Donaghmoyne parish—your DNA and family records could help prove these connections.
Whether your ancestors settled in Chicago, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, or elsewhere, I'd welcome the opportunity to collaborate. Your DNA test results might be the missing link that proves how these five families connect.
Contact: mary@storylinegenealogy.com