Distant relations

Though it's been a long time since postings, I've been actively searching for connections along the Oisin ("Little Deer") family line.  Recently a handful of new, related surnames have surfaced because many people have kindly allowed me access to their DNA matches upon condition of privacy. (Yahoo!) For that reason, only initials of matches will be used here. The purpose of this blog is to collect my thoughts, not expose identities. 

For the longest time I thought there were no U.S. "Oisins" other than my family. Silly me. Now that I've come across the gazillion variations, I've found that there are a gazillion Oisins out there. Basically, if the surname vaguely resembles an anglicized version of "Oisin" and the family came from Galway, we are probably related. See the first blog post for a partial list of the many variations here:

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2458313233305814632/9123998797526571338

The new surnames somehow connected to Oisin are O'Neill, Kershaw, Rork, Beyler, and Fahy. They all stem from Hugh O'Neill, born 1787 in Galway, Ireland, died 1877 in Washington County, OH. Hugh's wife has been identified as Hannah Kershaw, born 1784 in Ireland, died 1864 in Washington County, OH. Also as Ann Jack (marriage license Jan 1821, Baltimore, MD) and Hannah Ann Jack Kershaw. Whether or not Ann Jack is married to this or another Hugh O'Neill will be the subject of another blog post. 

Regardless, many descendants of Hugh and Ann match my DNA kit and the kits of others that I can prove are related to me. So now I get to unravel the mystery of how this family line is related to mine. (Yahoo!)

The first possible way is through Hannah Kershaw. The surname "Kershaw" matches the criteria for being a variation of "Oisin." Capital "K" resembles capital "H" when written; two syllables; "she" sound in the middle; and she was likely from Galway, since he was. Long shot, but worth investigating.

Second possibility: Great-great-grandmother Julia who married the Oisin was an O'Neill. Nobody has discovered Julia's maiden name to date, so it's possible. 

Third: Either Julia's parents were related to O'Neills or John Oisin's parents were. Obviously the parents existed but I have no clue who they were. Nada.

Still, how satisfying it is to find new threads to pull!  

To K and all the Ws; B and all the Ks; B and all the Ms; CL and especially VR. Your kindness is what has led to the recent breakthroughs. You may be distant relations, but your kindness is close to my heart. Sincere thanks.