Mac-a'bhaird

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My Irish claim to fame, my great grandfather was Michael Augustus Ward (Mac an Bhaird) from Donegal. My grandmother (Ellen Ward) full blooded Irish.

Michael Ward (Bhaird or 'bard') married Mary Moran, daughter of Martin Moran (married Ellen Rogers), immigrant to Genesee, Pa (Potter County) in 1840 (before the potato famine. Genesee ended up an Irish haven. Martin was one of the leading citizens. He immigrated from Mayo County.

Michael Ward was very young when he immigrated from Donegal. His father, Daniel, brought his family over and settled in Olean, NY.

My grandfather who married Ellen Ward was half Irish. His mother was Sara Matilda Beattie whose father, Joseph Beattie was from Newry

I guess that makes me 3/8ths Irish.

Mother's mother was Danish (Jensen)
Mother's father was Italian (Alessi)
Father's mother was Irish (Ward, Moran)
Father's father was 1/2 German & 1/2 Irish (Runner, Beattie)

That makes me
1/4th Danish
1/4th Italian
1/8th German
3/8ths Irish

A few link for reference

http://bill.celt.dias.ie/vol4/author.php?AuthorID=353

http://www.ucc.ie/celt/bardic.html

http://www.dun-na-ngall.com/ward.html

http://www.searcs-web.com/ward1.html

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Comments

[Dean Ward]

Family tree
I am trying to dig on my family tree. Not sure of where I am at on the branch but looking for information. My g,g,grandfather is Jackson Ward.

[Loretta Moran Fallon]

Oh please.. My grandmother Henrietta O'Donnel sent me on this journey
to find her own mother who died when she was 2. In searching for her own mother, I learned thather mother died at age 16, indicating that her own mother was 14 when she gave birth. My grandmother lived to be nearly 103 years old. I have yet to find her father though she was raised by her paternal grandparents, Hugh and Esther O'Donnell. I'd love to shed light on this mystery. I thank you in advance for any info ..