Edmond and Johanna Marnane

Edmond Marnane was born in 1817; he was 41- years-old when he married Johanna Britt, who grew up not more than a mile away from the Marnane homestead in Cappauniac, County Tipperary, Ireland. Johanna was 17-years-old when she married. 

They both died in 1905; Edmond on September 27 at the age of 88; Johanna on December 31 at the age of 64.

For the 47 years of their marriage, it is doubtful that they did much more than tend to the small dairy farm the Marnane family operated, and raise children. Edmond was considered one of the better educated in the townland and often was asked to write letters and other documents for neighbors.

Their first child, William, was born in 1860. Their 13th child, Michael, was born in 1881. One of their daughters died at childbirth. When Edmond and Johanna died in 1905, they had 32 grand children, but eight of those grandchildren had died. Two of their own children also had died, including their first born, William, who died at the age of 44, half the age Edmond would reach.

Eight of the twelve children of Edmond and Johanna who reached adulthood  left Ireland for the more promising shores of America. None of them  would return during their parents lifetime.

But the Marnane family was typical of Irish farm families of the 19th Century. In Ireland, "kids are raised for export" and the aftermath of the Famine and scarce opportunities for employment made it almost mandatory for children to leave for England or America. The children of Edmond and Johanna chose America.

Here is a brief description of the children of Edmond and Johanna Marnane, and their families.

1. William, 1860-1904; Moved to Cork in 1878, became a policeman. Eight children; grandson William still lives in Cork. He and his brother, Edward, who died in 1999, have combined eight children and eleven  grandchildren. They all live in Ireland, mostly in the Cork area.
   
   
2. Edward, 1862-1949; Moved to Chicago in 1883, became a policeman. Three sons.   One granddaughter, Sheila Greening, lives in Southwest Illinois.  She is the only surviving member of this branch.
   
   
3. John, 1864-1944; Moved to Chicago in 1888, worked for coal company. Fourteen children, more than 100 great-grandchildren. Last surviving child, James, died in 1997 in Florida. Many family members remain in Chicago area; others are in Florida, California, Colorado, New Mexico and elsewhere.
   
   
4. Bridget, 1867-1937; Moved to Chicago in 1891, worked as housekeeper and waitress. Married James Gately; two children, both deceased; two grandchildren remain in Chicago area.
   
   
5. Patrick, 1868-1942; Moved to Chicago in 1892, worked for coal company with brother John; seven children (one son, six daughters - two became nuns); three granddaughters, two who live in Chicago area.
   
   
6. Mary, 1869-1948; Moved to Chicago in 1891, worked as a seamstress. Married Michael Morgan Connery, 12 children, four grandchildren and many great-grandchildren live in Chicago area.
   
   
7. Ellen, 1873-1933; Stayed in Tipperary, married Cornelius Peters, operated family drygoods store near Marnane homestead. four children, Edmond still living in Cork; grandchildren in Ireland, U.S., UK and Netherlands.
   
   
8. Matthew, 1873-1943; Twin of Ellen, also remained in Tipperary and inherited family homestead; eight children (seven girls, one boy); Daughter Josephine Lycknell died in Chicago in 1999; first member of the Murnane Clan to reach age of 90. Daughter Alice turned 90 in 1999, she died in Indiana in 2000; Ellen (Sister Marie Joseph) died in Texas, also in 2000; Margaret (Peg) Marsland lives in Tipperary; Bridget (B.B.) Ivin lives in Clonmel, County Tipperary. Grandson Patrick owns family farm, lives in new home on farm. Granddaughters Marie Byron, Breda McGonnell and Rita Fitzgererald also live in area.
   
   
9. Cornelius, 1875-1935; Remained in Tipperary, worked as policeman and farmer; two children but no descendants.
   
   
10. . Maurice, 1878-1902; Moved to America in 1890s, worked in Southwest on railroad construction gangs; died of tuberculosis.
    
    
11. . James, 1880-1957; Moved to Chicago in 1904; worked as policeman; six children, daughter Mary lives in Detroit, Josephine Murphy lives in Chicago area. Many grand-children in Chicago.
    
    
12. . Michael, 1881-1936; Moved to Chicago in 1910; worked for Chicago Transit Authority; two children, son Edward and daughter Mary Rush live in Chicago area. Many grand-children in Chicago.
    
    

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It should be noted that all the Marnanes who moved to America spelled their name with a "u" -- as Murnane. In fact, even Edmond in his final letter to his daughter, Bridget, spelled his last name "Murnane."

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E-Mail: emurnane@murnane.org