Research Status & Open Questions
Introduction
The Dorgan Family of East Cork research project is based on the collection, comparison, and evaluation of parish records, civil registrations, census records, passenger lists, directories, obituaries, cemetery records, and family sources.
This page summarizes the current research status of important questions. Confirmed relationships are separated from unresolved questions and eliminated possibilities. This approach preserves both the evidence and the reasoning behind research decisions.
Confirmed Family Connections
Patrick J. Dorgan and Mary Catherine Hartnett
Patrick J. Dorgan and Mary Catherine Hartnett married in Cloyne, County Cork, on 26 November 1886.
Mary Catherine Hartnett’s baptism record identifies her as the daughter of:
John Hartnett and Catherine / Kate Duhig
Her family connection is firmly documented through Irish baptismal records, marriage records, immigration records, Rhode Island census records, and later family records.
Ellen Theresa Hartnett and John Henry O’Brien
Ellen Theresa Hartnett was baptized in Cloyne on 21 April 1872, daughter of:
John Hartnett and Catherine / Kate Duhig
She later emigrated to Rhode Island and married John Henry O’Brien in Providence on 17 November 1910.
Her records provide an independent documented connection between the East Cork Hartnett family and the Rhode Island branch.
Resolved Research Questions
James Hartnett of Garryvoe Lower
James “The Boss” Hartnett of Garryvoe Lower was part of the wider East Cork Hartnett family network.
Earlier research considered whether he might have been connected with Patrick J. Dorgan’s arrival in Rhode Island. This possibility has been eliminated.
Evidence shows that James remained in Ireland as a farmer in Garryvoe Lower and should not be identified as Patrick’s Providence host.
William H. H. Kirby and Marietta / Maritta Hamilton
This couple has been investigated as a possible identification of the William Kirby mentioned in Mary Catherine Hartnett Dorgan’s obituary.
This possibility has been eliminated.
William H. H. Kirby of Fall River was married to Marietta / Maritta Hamilton. She was not shown to be a daughter of John Hartnett and Catherine Duhig.
Current Research Questions
Identity of the Hartnett Sister Who Married William Kirby
Mary Catherine Hartnett Dorgan’s 1950 obituary states:
“Mrs. Kirby, the only surviving sister, lives in Fall River.”
Family evidence identifies this sister’s husband as:
William Kirby
Her given name has not yet been established by a parent-bearing original record.
Research has eliminated several possible Kirby households but has not yet identified the correct couple.
Current research action:
A request has been submitted to the Fall River, Massachusetts, City Clerk for a search of marriage records between 1900 and 1910 for:
William Kirby and a bride with the surname Hartnett
The goal is to identify the bride and confirm her parents.
Unresolved Candidates
Elizabeth Hartnett (born 1868)
An Elizabeth Hartnett born in the Midleton registration district in 1868 was investigated as a possible daughter of John Hartnett and Catherine Duhig.
At present, no parent-bearing record has been found connecting this Elizabeth Hartnett to that family.
She should therefore not be identified as Mary Catherine Hartnett Dorgan’s sister unless future evidence proves the relationship.
Future Research Directions
Remaining research areas include:
Identifying the Hartnett sister who married William Kirby.
Expanding the documented Hartnett family network in Garryvoe, Churchtown South, Ballintemple, and surrounding East Cork areas.
Further research into the Garryvoe Lower Hartnett branch.
Continuing examination of migration networks between East Cork and Rhode Island.
Evidence Policy
This research archive distinguishes between:
Confirmed: supported by direct records.
Probable: supported by multiple clues but awaiting confirmation.
Unresolved: an open question requiring additional evidence.
Eliminated: investigated and rejected based on contradictory evidence.