Confuse by place name, help needed .....

alex19canteen · Post by **alex19canteen** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:55 pm

I have an ancestor from ireland, one of many in fact, however, I never new this one was until I searched the 1871 census.

Ascertaining he lived in Wigtownshire I searched the 1851 census and in this his birth place is recorded as: Maje Hurray Gl. This looks like an attempt to spell the place name phonetically.

Does anyone with a knowledge of Ireland have any ideas what it might be, I've seen a Magheragall in the Townland lists but believe this is pronounced Maheragall.

Thanks.

IanS · Post by **IanS** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:58 pm

Alex, Only a couple of guesses.

1. Magirr, Urney - Townland Magirr, Parish Urney - County Tyrone

2. Magourney - Parish Magourney, County Cork.

If it's only a transcription you have seen, it might be worth a look at the original film. I'm wondering if the GI is just a badly written or smudged Ire.

alex19canteen · Post by **alex19canteen** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 7:03 pm

Thanks for your response Ian,

The Gl could be a corrupted Ire or something other, it falls in place where others are Wgt, Dms and Kbt, Wigtownshire, Dumfriesshire and Kirkcudbrightshire respectively.

Post by **AndrewP** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 7:45 pm

Or could Gl be someone's abbreviation for Galway?

All the best,

Andrew Paterson

IanS · Post by **IanS** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 8:26 am

Using Andrews suggestion of GI being an abbreviation for Galway, I had another look and came up with another placename

MAGHERAREAGH ---I have no idea whatsoever if Maje Hurray is a possible pronunciation,(it looks as if it could be though) but I know someone from Co. Clare who might be able to help. (not on the internet, so might be a while).

An aside---- I recently found a long lost female Ryan(s) family member in S.P. using a wildcard (R*N* ) and married surname of Kelly. It was spelt ROYAN.

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 9:43 am

IanS wrote:.....snipped........I have no idea whatsoever if Maje Hurray is a possible pronunciation,(it looks as if it could be though) but I know someone from Co. Clare who might be able to help. (not on the internet, so might be a while)......snipped

From my minimal knowledge of Irish/Scottish Gaelic pronunciation, I'd say that this has to be a very good possible match.

An aside---- I recently found a long lost female Ryan(s) family member in S.P. using a wildcard (R*N* ) and married surname of Kelly. It was spelt ROYAN.

In terms of some Irish accents that I've heard, that's exactly how it sounds as if it should be spelt.

Davie[/u][/b]

IanS · Post by **IanS** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 9:51 am

Just off phone to Co.Clare person, now living in West of Scotland, and she thinks this is a very good possiblity. Listening to her say it was a linguistic experience, and can imagine the enumerators dilemna.
MAGHERAREAGH may equal Maje Hurray.

alex19canteen · Post by **alex19canteen** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 2:19 pm

Excellent responses, thanks very much for your efforts, I appreciate it.

I like the MAGHERAREAGH suggestion, it makes sense and even looks good as a word, I'll keep it in mind.

Alex.

alex19canteen · Post by **alex19canteen** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 12:38 am

Just thought I would post this as a follow up to this interest,

http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... p?pos=-474

The one above is "Do Penninghame" The one below is "Wigtownshire, Mochrum"

I would appreciate any further input from those with keen eyes/minds.

Thanks

Alex

Post by **AndrewP** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 3:33 am

Hi Alex,

A difficult one. My first interpretation (with a fair bit of uncertainty) is Mayo Dumay(?) Glass.

All the best,

Andrew Paterson