The James Hamill &
Ann Gartlan Line
In rural County Monaghan, Ireland, a farming couple raised eleven children through decades of agricultural hardship and the great wave of Irish emigration. James Hamill and Ann Gartlan never left their townland of Dian — but their children scattered across three continents. This series tells their stories.
Four sons emigrated to America: Patrick, Peter, and Henry to St. Louis, Missouri; James to the copper mining country of Anaconda, Montana. Two daughters — Anna and Bridget — stayed in Ireland, marrying into neighboring families. Their headstone at Old Broomfield Cemetery, inscribed "JAMES HAMILL, DIAN," anchors 160 years of documented family history.
The Family at a Glance
Eleven children — four emigrated, seven stayed
James Hamill & Ann Gartlan
c. 1827–1914 & c. 1842–1914 • Dian, Donaghmoyne
The Episodes
Each episode tells the story of one branch of the family, from baptism to burial
Companion Pieces
Additional research exploring the broader context
Part of the Donaghmoyne Network
The James Hamill & Ann Gartlan Line is one case study within the larger Donaghmoyne Network research project — tracking four DNA-validated couples from this small Irish parish whose descendants spread across three continents. Each family's story illuminates the patterns of Irish emigration and the power of combining documentary research with genetic genealogy.
Explore the Donaghmoyne Network →