In Search of Hugh McKenna


Update January 2025

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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.


Next Steps

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

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