John Dynan was born between 1827 and 1831 in Roscommon, Ireland. It has not been possible to identify his parents at this point, however based on naming patterns, it is most likely a James or Michael and Bridget. There is a private DNA match that has identified Luke Dignan and Mary Butler as his parents, but we have been unable to verify the source of this. His place of birth was identified from 1911 census records. His last name is recorded variously as Dinane, Duignan and Dignan. It is possible that John’s Father
John married Bridget Broderick (aka Broder) around 1856 (based on 1911 census records). Bridget was born 10 September 1831 in Tynagh, Galway and is the daughter and one of five children of Patrick Broderick and Mary Monaghan.
Between 1856 and 1874 John and Bridget had seven children (four sons and three daughters)
Mary Agnes Dynan Born 1856 ; Married Thomas Joseph Maloney ; Died 1892
John Dynan Born 1864 ; Married Rose Ellen Fox 1910 ; Died 1938
Bridget Dynan Born 1866 ; Married Michael Davitt ; Died 1933
Catherine Dynan Born 1869 ; Died bef 1874
Kate Dynan Born 1874 ; Married John Corbett 1911 ; Died 1945
Thomas Dynan (unconfirmed) Born ? ; Died 1883
It appears that after their marriage the couple lived in Kilbarra, Tipperary where their first three children were born. The children were baptised at Woodford Parish Church Some time around 1860 they moved to Drummin Galway where the next two children were born. In 1869 they were in Portumna where Catherine was baptised.
In the 1880s five of their children emigrated to Australia. With their daughter Kate following some time after 1914.
In 1901 and 1911 John and Bridget were living in Gortmunga, Kilbarron, Tipperary.
In 1901 their children Michael and Kate were living with them, as was Bridget's brother Jeremiah.
In 1911 Kate was living with them.
At the time John was working at the Lodge Keeper for the Bruce Family at Lesseragh House. The Bruces were a military family with a connection to Western Australia. (see below for more information)
It appears that his daughter Kate married in 1911 and the couple moved to Borrisokane with her and her husband. (it is not clear whether Kate and Catherine are the same person, but this is the most likely explanation.
On the Ancestry website his death is noted as 21 Feb 1914 in Borrisokane, Tipperary (about 3 days before his wife). There is no notation of his parent on the death certificate
John appears to have worked for the Bruce family for an extended period.
The Bruces are a military family with an interested connection to Australia - specifically Lt Col John Bruce - the sibling of Major William Tyrell Bruce of Lesserragh - who was instrumental in the founding of Western Australia between 1850 to his death in 1870.
Below is a brief summary of the family :
John Bruce - Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland MARRIED Jeanne FRANCILLON - St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands
John Bruce, Gentleman. (1769 - 1858) Born St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. Lieutenant Commissary of Horse in the corps of Gunner Drivers in the Royal Regiment of Artillery. Chatham. MARRIED Maria Stanley. Died Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland
Lt Col John Bruce Born 1808 Athlone Western. Sent to West Australia as the Commanding Officer Pensioner Forces in 1850 on the sailing ship ‘Hashemy’. Member of the WA Legislative and Executive Council from 1855 until his death in 1870. Founder of Perth Building Benevolent and Investment Society (now the Challenge Bank) and Chairman from 1865. Acted as State Governor on two occasions. Owned much of the land in Fremantle (which was known as “Bruce Town” until subdivided by his widow. Also owned 40 acres near Perth, which he named Nedland. MARRIED Johanna Jacoba Herklots
Mary Bruce MARRIED Anthony Lefroy
Sir Henry Bruce Lefroy (1853–1930) - Premier of Western Australia
Maria Bruce 1809 - 1833 Auburn Demesne, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
Ann Jane Bruce 1811 - 1863 Auburn Demesne, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
Major William Tyrell Bruce J.P of Leserragh, Tipperary - (1815 to 1896) - Service included 2d West India Company ; 18th R. Irish Regt. In 1855 MARRIED Sophie Susan Barlow (? - 1896) dau. of the late Capt. John Barlow 30th Reg. In the 1870s Major Bruce is recorded as the owner of 808 acres in county Tipperary and 137 acres in county Westmeath. The townland of Lahesseragh borders the townland of Annagh and was in the possession of the Minchin family at the time of Griffith's Valuation, so it appears that Major Bruce acquired the land from the Minchins - who had held it since 1669 - some time between 1850 and 1870
Sophia Mary Bruce 1856 - 1875
John Cecil BRUCE Esq., of Leserragh, Coolbawn, near Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary born 1858. Educated at Parsonstown School and at Trinity Coll., Dublin (B.A. 1880), he was a Civil Engineer.. In 1890 he married Georgina Louisa Minchin, youngest dau. of the late Falkiuer John Minchin, Esq., of Annagh, co. Tipperary, and of Holywell Hoiise, and Soberton Manor, Hampshire .
Dorothy Janet Bruce
Ethel Gwendoline Bruce
Ellen Kate Bruce 1860 - 1944
William Frank Bruce 1861
Joanna Elizabeth Bruce (aka Lily) 1864 - born St John's Place, Parsonstown, Co. Offaly, Ireland; Resident at 1901 and 1911 census
Janet Bianca Bruce 1864
Louisa Cecilia Bruce 1866
Evelyn Susan Bruce (1867 - ) Resident at 1901 census
