The origins of the CREANEY name are unclear, some believe that it comes from MacCrain which is a part of the MacDonand clan from Scotland and that ancestors migrated to Ireland in the 1600s using various spellings such as Cranney / Craney/ Creaney / Cranny / Cranie / MacCrain / McCrain / MacCrane. The other theory is that the name is Irish arising from the Gaelic name Ó Croidheáin. Either could be correct, though I suspect that our own ancestors came from Scotland.
Castledillon
The manor house & estate of the Molyneux family where a number of our ancestors found employment
-oOo-
The early spelling of the family name was CRANEY which the majority of our branches changed to CREANEY around 1910, though individual related families have retained the old spelling to the present time.
The family lived in the area around Armagh city, in the parishes of Kildarton, Grange and thereabouts since the early 1800s. Prior to that is unknown. There were Creaney / Craney families in nearby Lurgan & Portadown, also in Aghalee, Ballinderry & Glenavy in Co Antrim but there is no evidence that we originated from these places.
Research has now taken me back to John Craney born probably about 1815 & his wife Mary McConnell. Mary was born in 1918 in Richhill, Co Armagh and she was the daughter of David McConnell & Mary.
John & Mary had 7 known children all of whom were baptised at Kildarton Parish Church between 1842 & 1854. Their residence varies between the townlands of Turcarry & Mullinasilla. John Craney’s occupation on the baptismal records is given as labourer & later as servant at Castledillon. Then in 1887 his son Abraham’s marriage certificate shows John’s occupation as a Coachman. This is very interesting as John’s grandson William worked for many years as a Coachman at Castledillon.
I am unable to locate the marriage record for John Craney & Mary McConnell and it has not yet been possible to trace the family prior to John & Mary. Some possible links are a (1) John Craney buried at the Grange Church in 1880 aged 80 & (2) a baptism at the Grange 8 Feb 1815, John son of Willam & Jane W Craney of Turcarry. The Grange is known to be the family burial ground and this John born 1815 could possibly be my ancestor. Further research at the Grange is continuing.
William born 28 August 1846, the third child of John & Mary, is my great grandfather. He had 4 sons that I am aware of, William (1876), Alfred (1884), John (1888) & James (1891). Sons William & John are documented as born in Belfast & it is highly likely that the others were also. However, as yet no birth record can be found for any of the sons. Alfred is my grandfather.
According to family lore William married more than once, the likelihood is the first 2 sons were to one wife & the last 2 to another. No record of any marriages have yet been found. He has been found in Belfast Street Directories from 1890 to 1897, his occupation is first given as Seaman & later as Ship’s Cook. On the Marriage Certificates of his sons his occupation is given as (William 1899) Ship’s steward, (Alfred 1906) Cook, (John 1910), Labourer.
It seems likely that William & his family returned to Co Armagh in the late 1890s and research is ongoing to try to verify this.
As can be seen I have traced the descendents of a number of the family branches, and would welcome contact from other possible descendents.
Descendants of John Craney
Generation No. 1
1. John1 Craney was born Abt. 1815. He married Mary McConnell, daughter of David McConnell and Mary. She was born 19 Jul 1818 in Richhill, Co Armagh.
Children of John Craney and Mary McConnell are:
2 i. Sarah2 Craney, born 29 Aug 1842 in Turcarry, Co Armagh.
+ 3 ii. Thomas Craney, born 12 Aug 1844 in Mullinasilla, Co Armagh.
+ 4 iii. William Craney, born 28 Aug 1846 in Mullinasilla, Co Armagh.
+ 5 iv. Abraham Craney, born 14 Feb 1849 in Mullinasilla, Co Armagh; died 03 Apr 1925 in Belfast.
+ 6 v. Hiram Craney, born 27 Dec 1850 in Turcarry, Co Armagh; died 1922 in Glasgow.
7 vi. Jacob Templeton Craney, born 15 Aug 1852 in Mullinasilla, Co Armagh.
8 vii. Mary Ann Craney, born 12 Jun 1854 in Mullinasilla, Co Armagh.
Generation No. 2
3. Thomas2 Craney (John1) was born 12 Aug 1844 in Mullinasilla, Co Armagh. He married Elizabeth Hutchinson 14 Aug 1865 in Kildarton Church, Co Armagh.
Children of Thomas Craney and Elizabeth Hutchinson are:
9 i. Sarah Jane3 Craney, born 06 Jun 1866 in Richhill, Co Armagh.
+ 10 ii. Dinah Craney, born 01 Jan 1869 in Richhill, Co Armagh.
11 iii. Hiram Craney, born 05 Jun 1871 in Richhill, Co Armagh. He married Sarah Ann Nelson 10 Jun 1898 in Church of Ireland, Armagh.
+ 12 iv. John Alexander Craney, born 20 Jan 1874 in Richhill, Co Armagh.
13 v. Mary Elizabeth Craney, born 07 Aug 1876 in Richhill, Co Armagh. She married William Orr 20 May 1898 in Church of Ireland, Armagh.
14 vi. Thomas Craney, born Dec 1878 in Richhill, Co Armagh.
15 vii. Rebecca Craney, born 01 May 1881 in Richhill, Co Armagh.
16 viii. Maria Craney, born 1890 in Co Armagh.
4. William2 Craney (John1) was born 28 Aug 1846 in Mullinasilla, Co Armagh.
Children of William Craney are:
+ 17 i. William3 Craney, born 09 Jan 1876 in Belfast; died 17 Jun 1942 in Mullinasilla, Co Armagh.
+ 18 ii. Alfred Craney, born 1884 in Belfast; died 18 Sep 1928 in Belfast.
+ 19 iii. John Craney, born 1888 in Belfast; died 01 Jul 1916 in The Battle of the Somme.
20 iv. James (Jem) Craney, born 1891 in Belfast. He married Jane Parker 15 Oct 1916 in St Annes, Belfast; born 1893.
5. Abraham2 Craney (John1) was born 14 Feb 1849 in Mullinasilla, Co Armagh, and died 03 Apr 1925 in Belfast. He married Mary McCluskey 30 Oct 1887 in St Annes, Belfast, daughter of John McCluskey. She was born Abt. 1861.
Children of Abraham Craney and Mary McCluskey are:
+ 21 i. James3 Craney, born 24 Nov 1888; died 03 Nov 1962 in Belfast.
22 ii. Annie Craney, born 1891; died 1948 in USA. She married Tommy Paul in Buffalo, New York.
+ 23 iii. Mary Ann Craney, born 10 Jul 1893 in Belfast; died 30 Nov 1982 in Quebec, Canada.
24 iv. Johnena McCartney Craney, born 1896. She married Alan Ferguson Collins 25 Dec 1919 in Sinclair Seamans Presbyterian Church, Belfast.
+ 25 v. Abraham Craney, born Jul 1900.
6. Hiram2 Craney (John1) was born 27 Dec 1850 in Turcarry, Co Armagh, and died 1922 in Glasgow. He married Clara Rae 07 Feb 1876 in Glasgow, daughter of David Rae and Elizabeth. She was born 1857 in England, and died 1919 in Glasgow.
Children of Hiram Craney and Clara Rae are:
26 i. Mary J3 Craney, born 1876 in Glasgow.
27 ii. Elizabeth Craney, born 1878 in Glasgow.
28 iii. John Craney, born 1880 in Glasgow.
29 iv. Samuel Craney, born 1883 in Glasgow.
30 v. Abraham Craney, born 02 May 1885 in Glasgow; died 1924 in Glasgow.
31 vi. Clara Craney, born 1887 in Glasgow.
+ 32 vii. Hiram Craney, born 03 Oct 1889 in Glasgow; died 1931 in Glasgow.
33 viii. Thomas Craney, born 1891 in Glasgow.
34 ix. Violet Craney, born 1898 in Glasgow.
Generation No. 3
10. Dinah3 Craney (Thomas2, John1) was born 01 Jan 1869 in Richhill, Co Armagh. She married James Parker 19 Jan 1886 in Armagh Registry Office.
Children of Dinah Craney and James Parker are:
35 i. George4 Parker, born 1887.
36 ii. Elizabeth Parker, born 1889.
37 iii. Rebecca Parker, born 1892.
38 iv. Sarah Parker, born 1892.
39 v. Jane Parker, born 1893.
12. John Alexander3 Craney (Thomas2, John1) was born 20 Jan 1874 in Richhill, Co Armagh. He married Elizabeth Anne Woods 18 Oct 1906 in Church of Ireland, Armagh.
Children of John Craney and Elizabeth Woods are:
+ 40 i. Hiram Victor4 Craney, born 15 Mar 1907; died 16 Feb 1992 in Armagh.
+ 41 ii. William Creaney.
42 iii. Margaret Creaney.
17. William3 Craney (William2, John1) was born 09 Jan 1876 in Belfast, and died 17 Jun 1942 in Mullinasilla, Co Armagh. He married Eliza Spence 02 Aug 1899 in Armagh, daughter of George Spence. She was born 13 Feb 1879 in Co Armagh, and died Abt. 1925 in Co Armagh.
Children of William Craney and Eliza Spence are:
+ 43 i. William George4 Craney, born 14 Apr 1900 in Co Armagh; died 08 Jun 1987 in Co Armagh.
44 ii. Sarah Jane Craney, born 22 Feb 1902 in Co Armagh.
+ 45 iii. Harriott Elizabeth Craney, born 27 Jul 1904 in Co Armagh.
46 iv. Alfred John Craney, born 25 Aug 1906 in Co Armagh.
47 v. Emily Highland Berry Craney, born 07 Oct 1908 in Co Armagh.
48 vi. Wilhelmina Florence Porter Creaney, born 11 Apr 1911 in Co Armagh.
18. Alfred3 Craney (William2, John1) was born 1884 in Belfast, and died 18 Sep 1928 in Belfast. He married Florence Mary Hind 11 Aug 1906 in Annfield Plain, Co Durham, daughter of Joseph Hind and Isabella Irwin. She was born 05 Oct 1888 in Tow Law Co Durham, and died 19 Feb 1984 in Belfast.
Children of Alfred Craney and Florence Hind are:
+ 49 i. Molly4 Craney, born 22 Nov 1907 in Annfield Plain; died 11 Nov 2005 in Belfast.
50 ii. May Craney, born Jun 1909 in Annfield Plain; died Jun 1909 in Annfield Plain.
51 iii. Isabella Creaney, born 01 Jul 1913 in Belfast; died 05 Jun 1982 in Belfast.
+ 52 iv. Clara Creaney, born 14 Feb 1914 in Belfast; died 1995 in Belfast.
+ 53 v. Cecil Alfred Creaney, born 09 Aug 1919 in Belfast; died 23 Jul 2007 in Belfast.
54 vi. Louise Creaney, born 07 Jul 1922 in Belfast; died 21 Oct 1923 in Belfast.
55 vii. Florence Creaney, born 14 Oct 1924 in Belfast. She married Harold Usher Greer 08 Jul 1957 in Belfast; born 1927 in Belfast.
19. John3 Craney (William2, John1) was born 1888 in Belfast, and died 01 Jul 1916 in The Battle of the Somme. He married Mary Ellen Haire 16 Nov 1910 in Kildarton, Co Armagh, daughter of Edward Haire. She was born 29 Jul 1889 in Creenagh, Loughall, Co Armagh, and died 17 Jul 1967 in Moira.
Children of John Craney and Mary Haire are:
56 i. Ann Jane4 Creaney, born 11 Dec 1910 in Woodview, Hockley, Co Armagh; died 11 Jul 1997 in Portadown.
57 ii. Mary Ellen Creaney, born 16 Sep 1912 in Woodview, Hockley, Co Armagh; died 19 Sep 2001 in Portadown.
+ 58 iii. Florence Evelyn Creaney, born 13 Aug 1913 in Woodview, Hockley, Co Armagh; died 26 Oct 1996 in Portadown.
+ 59 iv. William John Creaney, born 28 Apr 1915 in Richhill, Co Armagh; died 1941 in Portadown.
21. James3 Craney (Abraham2, John1) was born 24 Nov 1888, and died 03 Nov 1962 in Belfast. He married Rebecca Parker 12 Jul 1913 in St Annes, Belfast. She was born 1892.
Children of James Craney and Rebecca Parker are:
60 i. James4 Craney.
61 ii. Rebecca Craney. She married Samuel Galloway.
23. Mary Ann3 Craney (Abraham2, John1) was born 10 Jul 1893 in Belfast, and died 30 Nov 1982 in Quebec, Canada. She married William Eardley George Morgan 10 Sep 1924 in Toronto, Canada. He was born 02 Sep 1901 in Bishops Stortfort, Essex, and died 04 Feb 1978 in Quebec, Canada.
Children of Mary Craney and William Morgan are:
+ 62 i. Dorothy Mary4 Morgan, born 03 Apr 1925 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
63 ii. Eileen Morgan, born 27 Mar 1928 in Quebec, Canada.
25. Abraham3 Craney (Abraham2, John1) was born Jul 1900.
Children of Abraham Craney are:
64 i. Marion4 Craney, born Abt. 1925 in Belfast. She married Jack Fitzgerald; born in Belfast.
65 ii. Tommy Craney, born in Belfast.
66 iii. Hilda Craney, born in Belfast.
67 iv. Ena Craney, born in Belfast.
68 v. Harry Craney, born in Belfast.
32. Hiram3 Craney (Hiram2, John1) was born 03 Oct 1889 in Glasgow, and died 1931 in Glasgow. He married Annie McInally 27 Sep 1909 in Glasgow. She was born 1891.
Children of Hiram Craney and Annie McInally are:
69 i. Margaret4 Craney, born 03 Apr 1911 in Glasgow.
70 ii. Hiram Craney, born 1912 in Glasgow; died 1914 in Glasgow.
Generation No. 4
40. Hiram Victor4 Craney (John Alexander3, Thomas2, John1) was born 15 Mar 1907, and died 16 Feb 1992 in Armagh. He married Agnes.
Children of Hiram Craney and Agnes are:
71 i. Thomas5 Creaney, born 1928.
72 ii. Violet Creaney, born 1930.
73 iii. Florence Creaney.
+ 74 iv. Hiram Victor Craney, born 1938 in Armagh.
75 v. June Creaney.
76 vi. Richard Creaney.
77 vii. Edith Creaney.
78 viii. Myrtle Creaney.
41. William4 Creaney (John Alexander3 Craney, Thomas2, John1)
Children of William Creaney are:
+ 79 i. John Alexander5 Creaney, born 29 Jul 1933 in Armagh; died 04 Jun 2008 in Belfast.
80 ii. Mary Creaney.
43. William George4 Craney (William3, William2, John1) was born 14 Apr 1900 in Co Armagh, and died 08 Jun 1987 in Co Armagh. He married Anna Elizabeth Holland. She was born in Co Armagh, and died 13 Jan 2005 in Co Armagh.
Children of William Craney and Anna Holland are:
81 i. Elizabeth5 Creaney, born 29 Sep 1942 in Co Armagh. She married Ronnie Blades.
82 ii. Pamela Creaney, born 1944 in Co Armagh; died 10 Oct 1970.
83 iii. William George Creaney, born 03 Sep 1946 in Co Armagh.
45. Harriott Elizabeth4 Craney (William3, William2, John1) was born 27 Jul 1904 in Co Armagh. She married Samuel Baird.
Child of Harriott Craney and Samuel Baird is:
84 i. Jean5 Baird, born 03 Sep 1934 in Co Armagh. She married Dick Todd.
49. Molly4 Craney (Alfred3, William2, John1) was born 22 Nov 1907 in Annfield Plain, and died 11 Nov 2005 in Belfast. She married Sammy Elliott. He was born 1907 in Belfast, and died 1990 in Belfast.
Children of Molly Craney and Sammy Elliott are:
85 i. Norman5 Elliott, born 1935 in Belfast; died 2001 in Belfast. He married Jean McClean.
+ 86 ii. Kay Elliott, born 1944 in Belfast.
52. Clara4 Creaney (Alfred3 Craney, William2, John1) was born 14 Feb 1914 in Belfast, and died 1995 in Belfast. She married Howard Greer. He was born 11 Aug 1908 in Belfast, and died 07 Nov 1984 in Belfast.
Children of Clara Creaney and Howard Greer are:
87 i. Howard5 Greer, born 02 Jan 1957 in Belfast; died 2003 in Belfast.
88 ii. Stephen Greer, born 26 Jun 1958 in Belfast.
53. Cecil Alfred4 Creaney (Alfred3 Craney, William2, John1) was born 09 Aug 1919 in Belfast, and died 23 Jul 2007 in Belfast. He married Sarah Ann McCurdy 28 Feb 1948 in London, daughter of William McCurdy and Anna Moffett. She was born 26 Oct 1927 in Belfast.
Children of Cecil Creaney and Sarah McCurdy are:
+ 89 i. Terence Cecil5 Creaney, born 01 Aug 1948 in London.
+ 90 ii. Alan Creaney, born 21 Jan 1950 in Belfast.
91 iii. William Paul Creaney, born 09 Nov 1952 in Belfast; died 14 Nov 2006 in Belfast.
+ 92 iv. Anne Florence Creaney, born 25 Jan 1955 in Belfast.
+ 93 v. Norman Alfred Creaney, born 09 Dec 1958 in Belfast.
+ 94 vi. Kathleen Margaret Creaney, born 04 Feb 1964 in Belfast.
58. Florence Evelyn4 Creaney (John3 Craney, William2, John1) was born 13 Aug 1913 in Woodview, Hockley, Co Armagh, and died 26 Oct 1996 in Portadown.
Children of Florence Evelyn Creaney are:
95 i. Reginald John5 Creaney, born 26 Apr 1938.
+ 96 ii. William John Creaney, born 04 Dec 1941.
+ 97 iii. Florence Evelyn Creaney, born 23 Aug 1943 in Armagh.
98 iv. Robert John Creaney, born 19 Sep 1949.
59. William John4 Creaney (John3 Craney, William2, John1) was born 28 Apr 1915 in Richhill, Co Armagh, and died 1941 in Portadown. He married Isa Taylor.
Children of William Creaney and Isa Taylor are:
99 i. Maureen5 Creaney.
100 ii. Jacqueline Creaney.
62. Dorothy Mary4 Morgan (Mary Ann3 Craney, Abraham2, John1) was born 03 Apr 1925 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She married Richard Thornton 26 Sep 1947 in New Brunswick, Canada. He was born 10 Jan 1921 in South Shields, Co Durham, and died 08 Apr 2003 in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
Children of Dorothy Morgan and Richard Thornton are:
+ 101 i. Keith Richard5 Thornton, born 01 Nov 1951 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
+ 102 ii. Craig William Thornton, born 24 Jul 1953 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
103 iii. Gary Ronald Thornton, born 06 Jan 1955 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada; died 11 Apr 1995 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
