Meet My New Ancestor, Michael Dolan

Finally! At long last I get to add a generation to my Dolan family tree.

I found a possible entry for my ancestor’s brother, Patrick Dolan, in the Massachusetts Vital Records index at Footnote.com. The date, 1855, seemed a little late. Patrick would be in his 30s by the time he was married, but the location (Roxbury) and his bride’s name were correct.

The entry turned out to be a match. In the information listed in Patrick Dolan’s marriage to Mary Kelley, was his Father’s name, Michael Dolan. Unfortunately, the spot for his mother’s name was blank. But, hey, at least he has a Father now.

Michael Dolan was probably born around 1790 in Ireland (possibly Cam, County Roscommon where his children were born.) So, far I know that Michael and his unnamed wife had these children: Patrick, Catharine (my ancestor), Bridget, Margaret, and a son whose name in not known.

It has been a painstaking process. While the French and Portuguese lines have been relatively easy to research, the Irish have been like building a brick wall one brick at a time with 5 years in between each layer.

I have had Catharine (Dolan) Kelly’s name for a good 10 years. By researching her siblings, I finally found out her Father’s name. Hopefully, I will come across a document with her Mother’s name listed. But, now I have her Father, my Great Great Great Great Grandfather: Michael Dolan. It gives me chills as I fill his name in on the pedigree chart.