Roman Catholic Churches near New Mills around 1850

I found 2 Roman Catholic Churches near New Mills where the O'Hagan family lived in the 1850s: Coalisland and Stewartstown (Armagh diocese) or Donaghenry and Ballyclog (Coalisland) (Armagh diocese).

This is from An Irish Geneological  Source - A Guide to Church Records published by PRONI (Public Records of Northern Ireland) that also includes dates of records kept.
(p. 171-173):R.C. Coalisland and Stewartstown (Armagh diocese)
Baptisms, 1861-80; marriages, 1862-79; deaths, 1861-8. MIC1D/34


R.C. Donaghenry and Ballyclog (Coalisland) (Armagh diocese)
Baptisms, 1822-40 and 1849-81; marriages, 1822-41 and 1853-80; deaths, 1822-39 and 1854-69. MIC1D/8, 34

John J. O'Hagan

I found this link that decribes a newspaper article in Newberry Observer about John J. O'Hagan . I had heard that he drowned at the Georgetown, Lighthouse, but he drowned at Sullivan's Island.

"O’Hagan, John J. who for 30 years was lighthouse keeper for Charleston Harbor fell into the water at Sullivan’s Island and drowned, Observer 10/1/1909, page 1"

Photos of my dad, William Edward Ball

My dad was in the Marines and fought at Iwo Jima. He joined the Army and was in Tokyo, Japan during the Occupation when he met and married my mom. He was also in Korea. He retired after 27 years in the Army to Fernandina Beach where he lived until he died.


William Ball, USMC



Dad with his cousins.
Mary Catherine Bruni Bennett, William Ball,
Gloria Bruni Bradley and Joe Bruni

He's wearing a Coca Cola shirt as he was working for his Uncle Joe Bruni at the Coca Cola plant in Fernandina Beach.

William Ball about 5 years old, Jacksonville, FL



William Ball about 2 years old, Jacksonville, FL









Photos of Irene, Lottie and Janie O'Hagan circa 1905

Here are photos of my grandmother Irene O'Hagan Ball with her sisters Lottie and Janie. These were taken around 1905, the year the family moved to the Amelia Island Lighthouse, FL from Ponce Inlet, FL.

My sister Rachel gave me a bunch of old photos, some of which I'll post here. If any cousins out there have old photos to share, please join my blog and post them here. Or send them to me to post.

Irene Elizabeth O'Hagan, Lottie (Charlotte) O'Hagan Freeborn and Janie (Mary Jane) O'Hagan
circa 1905

Irene Elizabeth O'Hagan, Lottie (Charlotte) O'Hagan Freeborn and Janie (Mary Jane) O'Hagan
Fernandina Beach, FL circa 1906

Irene Elizabeth O'Hagan Ball
Fernandina Beach, FL circa 1906



dad's military service records

I received another letter from the National Archives and Records Admin. today that included dad's separation reports for 2 of his enlistments.

One is from the Marines for service from Dec. 16, 1941 to Dec. 24, 1945. His "principal military duty" was "Shore party man-729." This must describe being at Iwo Jima.

The other is from the Army for service from Sept. 11, 1946 to June 29, 1949.

As dad was in the Army through the early 1960s, more records are not available due to fire damage to the records facility on St. Louis in 1973.

Obituary of James "Jimmy" Lawrence O'Hagan, Jr.

It is with great sadness that I post the obituary of my cousin Jimmy O'Hagan who passed away on October 16. Jimmy inspired me to learn more about our shared ancestors from Ireland, the O'Hagans and Corrs, which eventually led to this blog. He was a wonderful man who will be missed very much by many.

James Lawrence O’Hagan Jr. (Jimmy), 78, beloved husband of Rebecca Fiveash O’Hagan (Becky) departed this world Saturday, October 16 at his home in Fernandina Beach, Florida  surrounded by his family.  

A native and long time resident of Fernandina Beach, he was born March 5, 1932 to James Lawrence O’Hagan Sr. and Elizabeth Sturges O’Hagan.  Jimmy was their only child. He attended St. Michaels Academy in Fernandina, Bolles School in Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach HS.

Jimmy married Denyse Titcomb O’Hagan in 1951 (Their marriage was tragically short as Denyse died of a terminal illness in 1958).  He served in the United States Air Force.  He was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base where he played football for the “Tyndall Tigers” of which he was most proud.  Jimmy graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry in 1959.  He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and Xi Sigma Pi. Following college Jimmy worked for Rayonier Timber Division as a registered Forester. 

Jimmy married Becky Fiveash in 1959.  In 1965 he went to work for International Minerals and Chemical, Inc. and rose to the position of Southeastern Area Sales Manager.  

Jimmy moved home to Fernandina in 1987 and became interested in genealogy.  He was one of the grandchildren of Amelia Island Lighthouse keeper Thomas Patrick O'Hagan and had a desire to learn more about his Irish ancestors.   Following extensive research on the family, Jimmy and Becky made several trips to Ireland making many friends and united family members in Ireland and the United States.  

Jimmy was a member of St. Michaels Parish, a contributor to University of Georgia Athletics and a loyal “Bulldog”.   Above all he enjoyed spending quality time with his family who he so dearly loved.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Rebecca Fiveash O’Hagan, sons James Lawrence O’Hagan III, Michael Keith O’Hagan and daughter Dana O’Hagan McCoy (Kevin), eight grandchildren and one great grandson.  

A memorial service will be held in St. Michaels Catholic Church at 11:00 AM, October 24, Father Brian Eburn will officiate.  A reception will follow immediately at the home of Dana and Kevin McCoy.  Interment at Bosca Bella Cemetery will be held at a later date.  Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to The Salvation Army ARC in Jacksonville, FL.

No results from Military Service for Schuppe

There were no records found, so my cc will not be charged. I'll try again and include more information. I'm still waiting for the results of dad's search.

Today I downloaded a new software called Legacy and have begun transferring my info into it. I heard about it from a friend who has a group on facebook with his cousins. I think I'll try that.