Looking for ancestors of John Michael O'Donnell, born in Limerick, Ireland about 1836, arrived in Canada in 1843.

Question

My great-grandfather, John (John Michael? O'Donnell) was born in 1836 in Limerick, Ireland (not sure if it was the city or the county).  He immigrated to Canada with his mother, Margaret (nee O'Connor) about 1843 and settled in Albion Township, Peel County, Ontario.

His mother, Margaret, remarried Thomas Fowler February 06, 1844 and this marriage produced one child, Mary Ann Fowler born May 28, 1845.  This would have been John's half sister.

Unfortunately, I've reached a dead end on the search for John's father.  According to the catholic record of John's wedding to Mary Horan (November 10, 1858), his father was named Michael.  According to the civic records, his father was named James.  It may have been a combination of both; James Michael or Michael James.  I have additional information that I received from the Genealogical Archives in the city of Limerick, Ireland that suggest his father was named Jeremiah O'Donnell and Margaret O'Connor.  This John was illegitimate.  It is interesting to note that John named his first son, Jeremiah.

John O'Donnell died in 1901 and was buried at St. Patrick's RC Church in Wildfield, Peel, Ontario.  His mother Margaret was born in Ireland (not sure of location) about 1798.  The year of birth may have been up to 1810.  She died and is buried in St. John's RC Church, Albion Township, Peel County, Ontario.

Any information that you could provide on John's family, either his father or Margaret O'Connor's family, would be greatly appreciate.

Answer 1

Be forewarned, I have no idea if the O'Donnell in my northeastern USA family has anything to do with yours, but I'll give you what I have. My 87 year old uncle tells me that my great grandmother's father was Bartholomew O'Donnell (1819-1889) Ireland. My uncle says he was originally from Donegal in Ireland, then moved to Limerick. His wife was Jane ??? (1823-???). My great grandmother was Margaret O'Donnell (1855-1921). She lived in Brooklyn, NY (immigrated?), and married my great grandfather William J. Cowan. My uncle also mentioned to me, that some members of my family first went to Canada (O'Donnells or Cowans?), before coming to the States, but I'm very vague on this matter. He told me they came down from Nova Scotia. Mind you, apart from NYC Census Records, oral accounts from my uncle, and data from familysearch.org, this information is not verified by documentation.