I'm researching the family of John Flanagan (or Flannagan, Flanigan, Flannigan, etc.) of Providence, Rhode Island because I have two DNA matches (third cousins to each other, roughly 3rd or 4th cousin to me and my uncle) who have him and his wife Emma as their MRCAs. I'm trying to find my connection to them. I've pretty thoroughly looked at his descendants and now I'm going up and sideways, looking for his parents and siblings.
In the 1860 census, John is a carriage driver, and there is a James Flannigan on the same census page, also a carriage driver. James's parents are listed in his marriage and death records as John and Margaret Flanagan. According to census records, both John and James were born in Ireland, as were each of their parents; I have no idea whether the parents also immigrated.
John was born in about 1818, and James in about 1835 or so. Option 1: James and John could be siblings, with parents John Sr. and Margaret. Option 2: James could be the son of John and first wife Margaret, then John had a second marriage to Emma with the descendants I've already traced. Option 3: A more distant relationship, or no relationship at all; it's just coincidence they're living near each other in 1860.
So far I've used the main search pages at Ancestry and FamilySearch to put this basic info together. Suggestions for what to do next? Time for me to learn how to research Irish records?
