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New Research Team

Are you fascinated by the past?

Do you want to unearth the hidden stories and traditions that shaped our family?

Then you are invited to join our exciting family history research team!

Please contact us at ThomasMcKenna1872@gmail.com to sign up.

Link to Research Team Site

When Did We Become McKennas?

Have you ever wondered why the Hugh McKenna family was Protestant while 97% of the McKennas in Ireland are Catholic? The answer lies in our adoption into the McKenna Clan.

A recent Y-DNA test has revealed that our surname has not always been McKenna. Between 1422 and 1777, our family name underwent a change from Sloan to McKenna. Sloans were predominantly Protestant, which may explain why our McKennas shared the same religious affiliation. For further information see the Y-DNA Research page.

Thomas McKenna Family Newsletter - Jan. 2025

We plan to publish a Thomas McKenna Family Newsletter at least twice a year. Click on this link to download the January 2025 edition.

New Records Found!!!

"Sacred family records, which have been hidden for centuries" have been found. The search for these records started in the mid-1950's with family donations to hire an Irish genealogist. In 2009, at the encouragement of Uncle Warren McKenna, the family organized research trips to secure additional source documents for our family. Many of the documents found in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2022 documented Hugh and Mary's children and grandchildren.

In October 2024, we found the marriage record for Hugh McKenna and Mary Henderson and the birth records for each of their children, including two sons that were not previously known. The 1831 marriage record for Hugh and Mary reveals her maiden name, Henderson, for the first time. Hugh's 1812 birth record reveals the names of his parents, Hugh McKenna and Hannah Fraizer. We also found the 1835 burial record for Hugh's mother, Hannah Frazier McKenna and a 1827 burial record for Hugh McKenna, who may be Hugh's grandfather.

These records were found in the St. James Church of Ireland in Aughnacloy. About 75 additional McKenna records were found that may help discover additional family connections. Dozens of Henderson church records were also found and 17 Henderson burials are documented in the St. James Cemetery in Find-a-Grave.

Where Was Thomas McKenna Born?

14 March 1812 - Birth of Hugh to his parents Hugh McKenna (McKinney) and Hannah Fraizer (or Frazer) of Mullaghmore
27 May 1827 - Burial record of Hugh McKenna of Mulnahorn age 80. This will require discussion and further research to determine if this is Hugh’s grandfather
10 Feb 1831 - Marriage of Hugh McKenna and Mary Henderson of Aughnacloy Parish
11 Aug 1832 - Birth of Ellinor McKenna to Hugh McKenna and Mary Henderson of Dernaborey
16 Sept 1833 - Birth of Sarah McKenna to Hugh McKenna and Mary Henderson of Dernaborey
2 Jan 1835 - Burial of Hugh’s mother Hannah (Fraizer) McKenna of Rouskey age 62
31 Mar 1836 - Birth of John McKenna to Hugh McKenna and Mary Henderson of Plaister
6 Jul 1838 - Birth of Hugh McKenna to Hugh McKenna and Mary Henderson of Plaister
29 Dec 1841 - Birth of Thomas McKenna to Hugh McKenna and Mary Henderson of Plaister
10 Nov 1845 - Birth of William McKenna to Hugh McKenna and Mary Henderson of Plaister
5 Nov 1846 - Christening of Mary Anne McKenna, a foundling of Plaister
9 May 1850 - Birth of James McKenna to Hugh McKenna and Mary Henderson of Glencull

Next Steps

Encourage cousins and aunts to upload their DNA to GEDMatch and join appropriate DNA groups (See instructions).
Create research plan to find records for Mary Henderson’s family and Hannah Frazer’s family
Create research plan for Robert McKenna to determine his possible connection to Hugh. Look specifically for his marriage record to see if his father’s name is Hugh.
Create research plan for William McKenna, father of William McKenna married to Mary Ritchie, to determine his possible connection to Hugh. A William McKenna was a witness at the 1858 marriage of John McKenna and Elizabeth Shanks in Belfast.
Capture better copies of all records that we found at PRONI related to Hugh’s family.
Visit the Aughnacloy St. James Church of Ireland and look for additional records and gravestones.

Thanksgiving Miracle in the Belfast City Cemetery?

Thanksgiving Miracle 2024 - The headstone for John McKenna, Elizabeth Shanks McKenna and their son John was finally placed on 27 November. John is the eldest son of Hugh and Mary Henderson McKenna and brother to Thomas McKenna.

Now the headstone for Hugh McKenna, Mary Henderson McKenna and their daughter Sarah and two great grandchildren is being made and should be in place within a couple of months.

We are planning a McKenna Family Gathering at the cemetery in 2026 - more information to be forthcoming.

"Foundational Documents" - How we found Hugh McKenna and his family in Belfast in 1852.

1852 Census

1865 Marriage

1880 Burial

Explore More

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