Writing as the 7th generation of New World Donahues
My paternal grandfather Dennis Edward Donahue descends from a family that came to America three generations before him during The Great Hunger in Ireland. The narrative of this family that carries over the generations is a constant movement away from the family home in search of a better life. I’ve been able to trace the family and their journey from Ireland to America, across the prairies and up to Canada over five generations beginning with my great x 4 grandparents, Micheal & Eliza Donahue. These ancestors came later to America, following their son and reconnecting in the new world in their old age.
My great x 3 grandfather Dennis Donahue, was first generation of Donahues to arrive in America in 1847, leaving an Ireland in turmoil. He and his wife Julia Ryan started out in the eastern Unites States- namely Massachusetts where they landed, and then moved to Wisconsin and Minnesota to farm with the government offering of cheap land.
My great x 2 grandfather Dennis Edward, son of Dennis Donahue and Julia Ryan, was born in Wisconsin but settled in Minnesota with his wife Hannah Sullivan where they farmed and were known for the butter they made.
My great grandfather, Edward Donahue, moved from the family farm in Olmstead, Minnesota to Canada at age 17, where he and his wife Clara Rasmussen settled in Saskatchewan. His son, my grandfather Dennis Edward, like his father before him, left the family farm for Ontario and a new life.
The stories of these individuals can be accessed through the Donahue drop-down menu at the top of the screen or by clicking on their names.
The Donahue name
The spelling of their surname has been Americanized and appears different from person to person on federal documents throughout the first three American generations: sometimes it is “Donohoe” and “Donoghue” or “Donohoo”. This may have been a matter of interpretation by the census taker, or a lack of literacy. The original Anglicized spelling would have been “Donohoe” which in turn comes from the early Irish “O’Donnchadha” which would be pronounced “oh-Donn-a-chu”.
Anyone who believes they are from this family is encouraged to contact me or leave a comment.
Oh What a Tree 
April 9th, 2011 at 11:54 am
Dennis Donahue and Julia Ryan’s Daughter, Elizabeth is my Great Great Grandmother her daughter Catherine was my great grandmother. Elizabeth died when Catherine was young, and Catherine was raised by her aunt, Mary. Elizabeth and her husband John were friends with the Mayo brothers in Minnesota and when the next generation was sick, they would frequently train back to Minnesota to get treated.
This is very exciting. Thanks for sharing!
February 10th, 2025 at 3:35 pm
Hi Cory, thank you for sharing your Donahue connection with this tree. Where did Elizabeth and John live – were they also in Minnesota?
November 30th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
Wow I wonder if I’m part of this tree? My last name is Donahue and my grandpa’s name is Edward Donahue. How do you go about finding all this out?
August 14th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Look at the date of his birth and place. Where did he live? Who were his siblings and parents? These are questions to ask. Then you can compare them to my tree.
February 23rd, 2013 at 11:00 pm
I do not know if I am related to THIS Donahue family but my grandmother, Beryl Gladys Meisner (formerly Beryl Gladys Donahue) is my grandmother.
August 14th, 2013 at 5:55 pm
Hello Frances. If you can find out the dates and places where Beryl lived, or other names in the family we might be able to determine if you are related to this tree.
March 3rd, 2015 at 11:27 am
Hello!
My name is Jeanne Fontaine Donawho Williams
Clearly by my name, I have different nationalities I’ve inherited.
Last names:
Fontaine: French, Normandy
(Donawho) Donahue: Irish
Williams: American
I have Scottish, Viking, Irish, French family origins.
I’m looking into all 4 of these.
I’m a Donahue too.
Something with my grandfather’s dad’s dad, so his dad changed the name a bit since my grandfather’s dad didn’t want to be near his dad or something.
Which would explain the ‘Donawho’ spelling.
Hi!
I have no idea which Donahue family I’m related to, but still. HI!
Whats up?
probable relative :P
February 10th, 2025 at 11:13 am
It is interesting to see ALL the spellings of Donahue out there! Hello possible relative!
December 25th, 2018 at 9:09 pm
My grandmother, Elizabeth V. O’ Donahue, was Dennis Edward’s sister. There were actually 14 children, but the twins died when they were babies. Elizabeth married John Snyder and they lived in Rochester, MN for many years. We’d love to communicate with you and have an opportunity to learn and share more information. Anne
March 1st, 2023 at 2:39 pm
Daughter of Donald Joseph and Gabrielle Paula Casavant
5 siblings