The McCadden's of Aghlem - Owen McCadden

As mentioned, the Griffith Valuation lists three McCadden’s, Patrick and Denis in Stranass and Owen in Aghlem. Unfortunately, this is the only record we have of Owen. We do in fact see another Owen McCadden (1856 - 1934) listed in the census records, but his age makes him too young to be the same person as in Griffith. Owen, son of Owen, is the more likely explanation here. The Owen in the 1911 census was born 1856. He and his wife Mary Kelly had 8 children, 3 sons, and 5 daughters. Of those children, 5 are listed in the 1911 census, three sons, Charles (1890), Joseph (1892), John (1895) and 3 daughters Catherine (1888), Lizzie (1901) and Teresa (1903). An additional two daughters, Grace (1881) and Mary had already emigrated to America by the time of the 1911 census.

Moving from census returns to the Ellis Island records we see that there is another spelling for the townland of Aghlem (Aughlin), but the immigrant’s names are still recognisable. There are four members of Owen McCadden’s family listed (Elizabeth, Grace (married name Hanna), Bridget, John). Owen’s children are listed as going to their sister Mary confirming that Mary went to America first. We also know that Joseph emigrated to America.

Comparing Ellis Island records to the 1911 Census there are a few discrepancies. The one name that matches up well is John (listed as 16 in 1911 and 20 in 1915). Bridget appears to be missing from the 1911 Census even though she only emigrated in 1913. Elizabeth is more confusing. She is listed as 10 year old Lizzie in 1910, though her immigration record shows her as having immigrated as 21 year old Elizabeth in 1902. If the immigration date was in fact 1922, these dates would be reconciled. This would also fit with another fact. When Elizabeth entered America her sister Mary is listed as married (married name Meehan). However, for the other sibling who entered between 1910 and 1915, Mary is listed as McCadden (implying she is still single at this time). If Elizabeth did indeed enter in 1921 this gives 2 facts about Mary. First she emigrated sometime before 1910 (rather than pre-1902 as implied by the immigration record) and second that she got married sometime between 1915 and 1922 to a man named Meehan.

With six children in America, two remained in Donegal. Charles is listed as being present at Owen’s death, so it is likely that he remained in the family home. Theresa moved to Drimadoney and married into the Lawn family. In Clar cemetery, a grave marks the family plot of Owen McCadden of Aghlem. The names of the family are not listed, except for Theresa. Theresa died very young at in 1935 aged only 34. Owen, himself, died in 1934.

Beyond the records here not much is known about this branch of McCadden’s. One of the reasons for this is the high number of daughters in Owen’s family. Patriarchal family history is usually easier to trace. In addition, the fact that five of the children emigrated, meant that there may be McCadden’s with family knowledge scattered all over America.