Welcome
to the
Donovan Family
Web Site!
Motto: Vis Super Hostem (strength over the enemy)
or Vir super hostem (a man above or over his enemy)
to the
Donovan Family
Web Site!
Motto: Vis Super Hostem (strength over the enemy)
or Vir super hostem (a man above or over his enemy)
Introduction
Decades ago, my mother, Marion Holat Donovan, began researching her side of our family. The results were staggering. Many years after that, my daughter, Erin, began to research the Donovan side as she prepared to embark for a semester at University College, Dublin, in 1999. Needless to say, she reopened communications with folks in Ireland. Prior to that, the last correspondence had been in 1937. Many wonderful people just popped into our lives.
Some Quick Donovan History
In 1819, Patrick Donovan (my great-great grandfather) of Ballyfreen, Oola, Co. Limerick married Ellen Cleary of Ballinard, Herbertstown, Co. Limerick. They were the parents of Matthew Donovan, my great grandfather. Matthew married Julia Callaghan Jan. 16, 1868 in the Chapel of Ardee, County Louth. My grandfather, Thomas, was born in 1873. He emigrated to the United States in 1890 and found his way to Detroit, Michigan. (While in Detroit, he makes references to an Uncle Patrick, an Uncle James, and an aunt whose married name was O'Connell. If anyone knows anything about these relatives, please contact me.) In 1900, Thomas married Rose Fish in Minnesota. Raymond, the middle child and my father, was born in 1904. He married my mother in 1930.
Navigation
I have tried to keep this site as simple as possible. It is divided into sections. Each section contains a link to a report containing the direct descendants of the following:
Patrick Donovan and Ellen Cleary (m. 1819) in Ireland
Abram Fish (Poissant) and Julia Renault (m. 1870s in Minnesota?)
Joseph Hejl and Anna Liska (m. 1870s) in Bohemia, Czechoslovakia
Joseph Holat and Anna Hejl (m. 1899) in Cleveland, Ohio
John William Tucek and Bertha Masin (m. early 1910s?) in Cleveland, Ohio
Francis Masin and Frances Dvorak (m. 1876) in Bohemia, Czechoslovakia
Ladislas Nowak and Frances Hetman (m. 1909) in Cleveland, Ohio
Web Family Cards More information, about 226 photographs, my great-grandparents' marriage certificate, and County Cork's Castle Donovan can be accessed through these cards.
A list of all the photos (the latest are in boldface) included on the web cards is now available. Enjoy!
Updates
I hope to update this genealogical history regularly and will be sure to give credit to each contributor. Hopefully, these updates will occur quarterly at the very least. There is much to be added if folks are willing to share. Names, dates, and photos are always welcome.
8. (February 20, 2009) The last six months have gone by quickly. The big news, of course, has been the birth of my second grandchild, Dane Thomas Donovan on September 22, 2008. My wife and I have truly been blessed. I am a proud "Papa." Included is a photo taken earlier this month of the two newest additions to my Donovan family in the USA.
7. (August 13, 2008) Finally an update after all these months! I can begin by offering congratulations to my daughter, Erin, and her husband, Jack. They were married on May 17, 2008 at the Cathedral in Cleveland. A big "Thank You" goes to all the Irish relatives (J.J., Mary Jo and Louise Ryan and Kevin and Mairead Holmes) who made the trek to America for the wedding. It was very special to all of us, especially Erin and Jack. A second thanks goes to cousin Kevin for some photos from Carrickmacross (as well as wedding photos). Shortly after the wedding, I went in the hospital to get a hip resurfacing and am almost fully recovered. Needless to say, my wife and I have been quite busy.
In March, I heard from Renee Melegari (nee Hynes) who lives in Alaska. She is related on the Hejl side of the family. Surprisingly, I found out I had her in class at Bedford High School in the mid 80s. Small world! In April, I heard from Jason Paine who is also related on the Hejl side.
April also brought an interesting e-mail from Sandy Jackson. Her mom originally posed for artist, George Collie, in 1950. The painting was titled The Rose of Tralee. George sold it to her in 1973. Sandy was seeking more information about George. She promises to send some info. about the history of the portrait.
Another relative on the Hejl side, Patrick Spicuzza, started his own website and was able to use much of the information and photographs on this site. Unfortunately, he has me married to my son's wife; hopefully, he will make a few corrections.
Finally, I heard from Stanislav Vrána from the Czech Republic (Bohemia). He was searching the internet and found this site. He is related to my wife, Jane, on the Mašín side (his GGGrandfather, Daniel was brother to Jane's GGrandfather, Francis). He sent some old photos which my wife was able to identify and correspondence has begun. He sent his genealogy in a "gedcom" file which I was able to open; however, before I can add the links, I need to find out the parents of both Daniel and Francis Mašín. Hopefully, Stanislav will find out soon and pass the information my way.
6. (Nov. 27, 2007) Since the last update, much has happened. My daughter, Erin, became engaged in May to a wonderful young man by the name of Jack Goldwood. The wedding is to take place on May 17, 2008 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland. My wife and I have been busy helping Erin make the wedding arrangements. Happily, all is going well, and the two of them just purchased a house in University Hts., Ohio, not too far from John Carroll University. Jack moved in the day after Thanksgiving, and Erin will move in after the wedding.
Thanks goes to cousin Kevin Holmes who sent along JPGS of five birth certificates and one death certificate of some of the original family members back in Ireland.
For the first time, I heard from someone named Jana Kocián-ová who resides in the Czech Republic. Jana reports that the name Hejl is very common over there. Her great-grandfather Bartoloměj Hejl /1866-1947/ was from South Bohemia -Budweis-Třebotovice. He had 11 children. Jana does not know if Bartoloměj is related or not, but it is certainly about the right time. Nevertheless, it was nice hearing from her.
5. (Feb. 23, 2007) This update includes 14 new photos including some from the December visit of J.J. and Mary Jo Ryan to our home in Bedford, Ohio. The Ryans were with us for 10 days and learned firsthand about the Cleveland weather, viewed the Irish Garden while on board Lolly the Trolley, visited Amish country in middle Ohio, shared many a meal including a sampling from the Great Lakes Brewery, Claddagh Irish Pub in Legacy Village, and Guarino's in Cleveland's Little Italy, as well as spicing up Northern Ohio's economy buying Christmas presents to take back to Ireland. A wonderful time was had by all.
A couple of folks have contacted me about the web site: Derek Durrant from England who says that one of the photos of the Collies was taken in his back garden; Dolores Hejl Burlinghaus who stated that her youngest daughter, Heidi, was left out, and that is now corrected; and Dennis Shroka who asked if I would be willing to take updates. The answer is YES! Always glad to hear from all of you.
4. (Aug. 23, 2006) This latest update is mostly for the newest addition to our family, Aubrey Lynn Donovan. She was born on April 9. Thirteen photos of her have been added as well as one more in the Newton family. The number of photos in the Web Family Cards section now stands at 174. There is a link (above) to a list of all the photos. The latest additions are in boldface.
3. (Feb. 4, 2006) Once again, many thanks to J.J. and Mary Jo Ryan and Mary Jo's mother, Eileen Donovan Holmes for 37 more photos (Collie, Donovan, Holmes, McGrath, O'Donovan families). The number of photos in the Web Family Cards section now stands at 160.
2. (Dec. 28, 2005) Much thanks to J.J. and Mary Jo Ryan for eight pictures (O'Donovan - Holmes and Ryan - Newton families). The number of photos in the Web Family Cards section continues to grow - 123 in all.
1. (Nov. 28, 2005) The first thanks goes to my mother, Marion Donovan, who provided just about all of the Hejl and Holat information. My daughter, Erin, did a superb job examining photos and letters from the 1930s and earlier in an effort to make sense of the Donovan and Fish lines. Further information was provided by my cousin in Oola, Co. Limerick, Eileen Donovan Holmes, and her son, Kevin. My wife, Jane, and her cousin, Greg Sejd, are largely responsible for the information in the Tucek, Nowak, and Masin lines.
Compiling this history has been an enjoyable and exciting endeavor. I hope to see it grow.
Help
If you have information about individuals in this database (or individuals related to this database) that you wish to share, please contact me. If you wish to add a photo or two or update an old one, please e-mail a .jpg or use regular mail. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish the photo(s) to be returned to you.
Decades ago, my mother, Marion Holat Donovan, began researching her side of our family. The results were staggering. Many years after that, my daughter, Erin, began to research the Donovan side as she prepared to embark for a semester at University College, Dublin, in 1999. Needless to say, she reopened communications with folks in Ireland. Prior to that, the last correspondence had been in 1937. Many wonderful people just popped into our lives.
Some Quick Donovan History
In 1819, Patrick Donovan (my great-great grandfather) of Ballyfreen, Oola, Co. Limerick married Ellen Cleary of Ballinard, Herbertstown, Co. Limerick. They were the parents of Matthew Donovan, my great grandfather. Matthew married Julia Callaghan Jan. 16, 1868 in the Chapel of Ardee, County Louth. My grandfather, Thomas, was born in 1873. He emigrated to the United States in 1890 and found his way to Detroit, Michigan. (While in Detroit, he makes references to an Uncle Patrick, an Uncle James, and an aunt whose married name was O'Connell. If anyone knows anything about these relatives, please contact me.) In 1900, Thomas married Rose Fish in Minnesota. Raymond, the middle child and my father, was born in 1904. He married my mother in 1930.
Navigation
I have tried to keep this site as simple as possible. It is divided into sections. Each section contains a link to a report containing the direct descendants of the following:
Patrick Donovan and Ellen Cleary (m. 1819) in Ireland
Abram Fish (Poissant) and Julia Renault (m. 1870s in Minnesota?)
Joseph Hejl and Anna Liska (m. 1870s) in Bohemia, Czechoslovakia
Joseph Holat and Anna Hejl (m. 1899) in Cleveland, Ohio
John William Tucek and Bertha Masin (m. early 1910s?) in Cleveland, Ohio
Francis Masin and Frances Dvorak (m. 1876) in Bohemia, Czechoslovakia
Ladislas Nowak and Frances Hetman (m. 1909) in Cleveland, Ohio
Web Family Cards More information, about 226 photographs, my great-grandparents' marriage certificate, and County Cork's Castle Donovan can be accessed through these cards.
A list of all the photos (the latest are in boldface) included on the web cards is now available. Enjoy!
Updates
I hope to update this genealogical history regularly and will be sure to give credit to each contributor. Hopefully, these updates will occur quarterly at the very least. There is much to be added if folks are willing to share. Names, dates, and photos are always welcome.
8. (February 20, 2009) The last six months have gone by quickly. The big news, of course, has been the birth of my second grandchild, Dane Thomas Donovan on September 22, 2008. My wife and I have truly been blessed. I am a proud "Papa." Included is a photo taken earlier this month of the two newest additions to my Donovan family in the USA.
Dane and Aubrey Donovan
(February 2009)
(February 2009)
Another big "Thank You" goes to
cousin Kevin Holmes back in Ireland. He was able to get more
information about my great-great grandfather, Patrick Donovan including
where, when and whom he married as well as clearing up information
about his children. It seems likely that my grandfather, Thomas,
met his Uncles Patrick and James and Aunt Mary in Detroit in 1890 when
Thomas emigrated to the United States. It appears the three
siblings emigrated to the USA sometime in the mid to late 1800s.
This should help in my own search for our long-lost Detroit relatives.
7. (August 13, 2008) Finally an update after all these months! I can begin by offering congratulations to my daughter, Erin, and her husband, Jack. They were married on May 17, 2008 at the Cathedral in Cleveland. A big "Thank You" goes to all the Irish relatives (J.J., Mary Jo and Louise Ryan and Kevin and Mairead Holmes) who made the trek to America for the wedding. It was very special to all of us, especially Erin and Jack. A second thanks goes to cousin Kevin for some photos from Carrickmacross (as well as wedding photos). Shortly after the wedding, I went in the hospital to get a hip resurfacing and am almost fully recovered. Needless to say, my wife and I have been quite busy.
In March, I heard from Renee Melegari (nee Hynes) who lives in Alaska. She is related on the Hejl side of the family. Surprisingly, I found out I had her in class at Bedford High School in the mid 80s. Small world! In April, I heard from Jason Paine who is also related on the Hejl side.
April also brought an interesting e-mail from Sandy Jackson. Her mom originally posed for artist, George Collie, in 1950. The painting was titled The Rose of Tralee. George sold it to her in 1973. Sandy was seeking more information about George. She promises to send some info. about the history of the portrait.
Another relative on the Hejl side, Patrick Spicuzza, started his own website and was able to use much of the information and photographs on this site. Unfortunately, he has me married to my son's wife; hopefully, he will make a few corrections.
Finally, I heard from Stanislav Vrána from the Czech Republic (Bohemia). He was searching the internet and found this site. He is related to my wife, Jane, on the Mašín side (his GGGrandfather, Daniel was brother to Jane's GGrandfather, Francis). He sent some old photos which my wife was able to identify and correspondence has begun. He sent his genealogy in a "gedcom" file which I was able to open; however, before I can add the links, I need to find out the parents of both Daniel and Francis Mašín. Hopefully, Stanislav will find out soon and pass the information my way.
6. (Nov. 27, 2007) Since the last update, much has happened. My daughter, Erin, became engaged in May to a wonderful young man by the name of Jack Goldwood. The wedding is to take place on May 17, 2008 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland. My wife and I have been busy helping Erin make the wedding arrangements. Happily, all is going well, and the two of them just purchased a house in University Hts., Ohio, not too far from John Carroll University. Jack moved in the day after Thanksgiving, and Erin will move in after the wedding.
Thanks goes to cousin Kevin Holmes who sent along JPGS of five birth certificates and one death certificate of some of the original family members back in Ireland.
For the first time, I heard from someone named Jana Kocián-ová who resides in the Czech Republic. Jana reports that the name Hejl is very common over there. Her great-grandfather Bartoloměj Hejl /1866-1947/ was from South Bohemia -Budweis-Třebotovice. He had 11 children. Jana does not know if Bartoloměj is related or not, but it is certainly about the right time. Nevertheless, it was nice hearing from her.
5. (Feb. 23, 2007) This update includes 14 new photos including some from the December visit of J.J. and Mary Jo Ryan to our home in Bedford, Ohio. The Ryans were with us for 10 days and learned firsthand about the Cleveland weather, viewed the Irish Garden while on board Lolly the Trolley, visited Amish country in middle Ohio, shared many a meal including a sampling from the Great Lakes Brewery, Claddagh Irish Pub in Legacy Village, and Guarino's in Cleveland's Little Italy, as well as spicing up Northern Ohio's economy buying Christmas presents to take back to Ireland. A wonderful time was had by all.
A couple of folks have contacted me about the web site: Derek Durrant from England who says that one of the photos of the Collies was taken in his back garden; Dolores Hejl Burlinghaus who stated that her youngest daughter, Heidi, was left out, and that is now corrected; and Dennis Shroka who asked if I would be willing to take updates. The answer is YES! Always glad to hear from all of you.
4. (Aug. 23, 2006) This latest update is mostly for the newest addition to our family, Aubrey Lynn Donovan. She was born on April 9. Thirteen photos of her have been added as well as one more in the Newton family. The number of photos in the Web Family Cards section now stands at 174. There is a link (above) to a list of all the photos. The latest additions are in boldface.
3. (Feb. 4, 2006) Once again, many thanks to J.J. and Mary Jo Ryan and Mary Jo's mother, Eileen Donovan Holmes for 37 more photos (Collie, Donovan, Holmes, McGrath, O'Donovan families). The number of photos in the Web Family Cards section now stands at 160.
2. (Dec. 28, 2005) Much thanks to J.J. and Mary Jo Ryan for eight pictures (O'Donovan - Holmes and Ryan - Newton families). The number of photos in the Web Family Cards section continues to grow - 123 in all.
1. (Nov. 28, 2005) The first thanks goes to my mother, Marion Donovan, who provided just about all of the Hejl and Holat information. My daughter, Erin, did a superb job examining photos and letters from the 1930s and earlier in an effort to make sense of the Donovan and Fish lines. Further information was provided by my cousin in Oola, Co. Limerick, Eileen Donovan Holmes, and her son, Kevin. My wife, Jane, and her cousin, Greg Sejd, are largely responsible for the information in the Tucek, Nowak, and Masin lines.
Compiling this history has been an enjoyable and exciting endeavor. I hope to see it grow.
Help
If you have information about individuals in this database (or individuals related to this database) that you wish to share, please contact me. If you wish to add a photo or two or update an old one, please e-mail a .jpg or use regular mail. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish the photo(s) to be returned to you.
