The Ryan Family reunion was recently held in Cazenovia. Family members are the descendants of Margaret and Patrick Ryan, who came to America in 1866 and were married in Cazenovia in 1870.
“Margaret Ryan and Patrick Ryan were our first ancestors in this country, arriving here from Tipperary in 1866,” said Bill Macaulay in a footnote to a family tree constructed in 1994. “Patrick was only 19 years old at the time as he was born in 1847. One year following their immigration, Margaret’s parents James and Bridget Hayes Ryan came over to join their daughter. Three years after that in 1870, Margaret and Patrick were married in Cazenovia, New York.”
According to Macaulay, generations of Irish-Americans are their descendants, including names like Gregg, Nix, Theobold, O’Shea, Kennedy, Barden, Travis and Dorrance, among others.
According to Macaulay, John J. Ryan was the second of five children by Margaret and Patrick. John J. Ryan’s siblings produced generations of Danehys, Goldackers, Kellys, Macaulays, Fiedlers, Sheridans, Purcells, Stacks, Ruests, Hagans and others.
John J. and Catherine Ryan were responsible for descendants gathering for the “Ryan Family Reunion of 1994.” In four generations over 10 dozen offspring were produced: nine children, 30 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren and 20 (and still counting) great- great-grandchildren.
“If you want to go back two more generations and include all descendents of James and Bridget, the number is approximately 500,” Macaulay said.
According to Macaulay, some of this data wasn’t up-to-date in 1994 and could definitely benefit from some new research
“A whole new generation needs to be added … a great project for someone,” Macaulay said.
