Interruptions

The intent of this page is to help give possible explanations when one's DNA does not match any of the 'established' McManus lineages. This page may be helpful to those whose surname is different from McManus find their DNA results matching a McManus (Maguire, O'Connor, etc.)

As indicated on the prior page, there are three major sources of concern where there are pitfalls in using DNA as a research tool for genealogy. One must assume the science of the tool is sound as far as we know. But one should explore where the Genealogical and Social aspects affect the analysis process. While these two areas are different from their source, their effects do coincide and work together to give reasons for and explanations to 'interruptions'. More recent convention uses the term 'Non-Parental Event' or NPE. This term has a somewhat ambiguous connotation, but means the same thing.

The dictionary describes or defines an interruption as an act or event that breaks the continuity or conformity of something else. In a genealogical sense, it describes an act or event which breaks the continuity of a lineage. Where we use the term 'interruption' here, it is intended to mean a break in the direct lineage between a person and the commonly accepted progenitor of the family. In some cases this progenitor might not be known or documented, but the DNA analysis performed uncovers the fact that the inherited DNA of a person does not indicate a close kinship with person whose DNA derives from an 'established' lineage.

While not entirely wieldy, the word 'interruption' suffices for this discussion. Below are types of 'interruptions' and some known instances where an interruption actually or may have taken place. In each instance, the item is marked '[known]' - which means it is documented and the DNA has or should prove it out, and '[possible]' where it is likely to be an interruption but the documentation has still to be consulted and DNA analysis of that lineage needs to be obtained and analyzed. In the case of currently living people, they are not included in this list out of respect for privacy unless they have given their consent.

Note: Where slaves are listed for McManus - the intent is to show that these slaves might have adopted the surname of McManus upon emancipation.

Interruptions of a McManus lineage

• Bartholomew McMANUS, born 1777 in Dublin, Ireland. Transported to Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia in 1793 and died there in 1814. Went by alias of Bartholomew McMAHON. [possible]
• Pvt Charles McMANUS. Enlisted in Co. A, 1st Regt. Veteran Volunteers. USA MD Infantry as a substitute for 1 year on 29 Sep 1864 in 5th District, Maryland. Used an alias of Charles McNAMARA. [possible]
• Clifford McMANUS, of Northampton, Massachusetts, legally changed his name to William Robinson PILLSBURY. [known]
• David McMANUS, born abt May 1852. Adopted 26 Nov 1855 by John and Margaret KERWICK in New York City. McManus, David, age 3 yrs., 6 mos., to be adopt. to John Kerwick, carman and Margaret his wife, of 343 W. 46 St. - 26 Nov. 1855 [known]
• Edmond John McMANUS, of Massachusetts, legally changed his name to Edmond John MORTON bet 1780 and 1892 so that he could inherit. [known]
• John McMANUS, of Bedford, Massachusetts legally changed his name to John SINNOTT. [known]
• Pvt Michael McMANUS, born abt 1840 in Co Tyrone, Ireland. Enlisted Co A, 1st (Butler's) Regt. SC Infantry CSA for 1 year in Memphis, Tennessee on 1 Mar 1861. He used the alias Michael McNAMEE in the military. [possible]
• Pvt Patrick McMANUS, enlisted in Co. K, 146th Regt. NY Infantry in New York City during the American Civil War. He used the alias of Patrick KEARNEY and died 14 Sep 1910. [possible]
• Samuel McMANUS, born 19 Apr 1836 at Little Stevens Creek, South Carolina, son of John Thomas and Mary (HOLLEY) McMANUS. He enlisted in Co. C, 19th Regt SC Infantry CSA in the Civil War in Edgefield County, South Carolina. He was captured at Atlanta and spent time in a POW camp. He married Martha Ann HORN on 2 Nov 1839 and had five children using the surname McMANUS. He later moved to Kansas/Missouri, changed his name to Lenard or Linn ANDRES and had three sons and two daughters by Margaret Ann GRAHAM. [known]

Creation of a new McManus lineage from another non-related lineage

• ??? McMANUS, born between 1775 and 1799. Slave of Samuel McMANUS of Nashville, Tennessee. Known to have at least two (2) sons. [possible]
• Albert McMANUS, born 1865 in Georgia. Living in Edgefield Co, South Carolina in 1870 with Cobb McMANUS (see below). Described as black. [possible]
• Allen McMANUS, born 1850/1 in Mississippi, the son Stephen Alexander McMANUS (white) and possibly Minerva CARAWAY (black). Lived in btn Upper Natchez & Meadville Rivers, Amite Co, Mississippi in 1870 where he was described as mulatto with a black wife (Rosanna). Living with them was Conner McManus (age 13) and decribed as mulatto. Possible brother of Allen (Connor was the given name of Stephen's great-grandfather). [known - not really an interruption, but might be confusing to researchers]
• Alvin McMANUS, born 1887 in South Carolina. Lived in Edgefield Co, South Carolina. Described as negro. [possible]
• Archibald McMANUS, born c 1785 in Chesterfield Co, South Carolina (son of John McManus and Ann Sullivan) and died 21 Sep 1841 in Raymond, Hinds Co, Mississippi (caucasian), owned several slaves, of which some of the males were named Dick, Peter, and James. Archibald's primary residences was in Hinds and Choctaw counties in Mississippi. Slaves are potential candidates for surname adoption. [possible]
• Arthur McMANUS, born 1890 in South Carolina. Lived in Chesterfield Co, South Carolina. Described as negro. [possible]
• Ben McMANUS, born 1882 in South Carolina. Lived in Edgefield Co, South Carolina. Described as negro. [possible]
• Burk McMANUS, a former slave (freedman), arrested in Chambers County, Texas for stealing a pistol, in the Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville, Walker Co, Texas for two years (late 1860's).
• Burwell (Birl) McMANUS, born 1812 in South Carolina and lived in Lauderdale Co, Alabama. Owned three (3) slaves in 1850. [slaves might have adopted surname - possible]
• Charles MEANS, born 1869 in Dakota territory. Employed as an indian scout during 1890 at Lame Deer P.O.M. Physical description was black eyes, black hair, and copper complexion (possible American Indian ancestry?) [possible]
• Charles P McMANUS, born 1859 in South Carolina. Lived in Chesterfield Co, South Carolina. Described as negro. [possible]
• Christopher McMANUS, born 1875 in South Carolina. Lived in Saluda Co, South Carolina. Described as negro. [possible]
• Cobb McMANUS, born 1847 in South Carolina. Lived in Edgefield Co, South Carolina where he had children. Possible former black slaves of James Goodwin 'Goody' McMANUS or James Amos McMANUS, both of Gray twp, Edgefield Co, South Carolina. [possible]
• David Brainard McMANUS, born David BRAINARD?, abt 1855 in Ireland. Adopted 1865 by James Henry McMANUS, MD of Clontarf, Co Dublin. James died intestate 1865. David Brainard McMANUS died 1871 in Dublin. [known]
• Edward McMANUS, born Edward QUAIFE, Dec 1838 in Conklin (Millport), Broome Co, New York, to ????. Adopted by McManus family and surname was changed. Married Elsie Ann BARTON and had 10 children with the surname of McMANUS. He died 30 Apr 1885. [known]
• Green McMANUS, born 1872 in Louisiana. Described as negro. [possible]
• H McMANUS, born 1839 in South Carolina. Field hand for Mary Baker in 1870 in Chesterfield Co, South Carolina. Described as black. [possible]
• Hinty McMANUS, born 1821/8 in South Carolina. Married to Frances ---- and lived in Edgefield Co, South Carolina where he had 10 children. Possible former black slaves of James Goodwin 'Goody' McMANUS or James Amos McMANUS, both of Gray twp, Edgefield Co, South Carolina. [possible]
• James McMANNUS, born 1886 in South Carolina. Lived in North Carolina. Described as negro. [possible]
• James McMANUS, born 1815 in South Carolina. Field hand in 1870 in Chesterfield, South Carolina. Described as black. [possible]
• John McMANUS, born 1830 in South Carolina. Living with wife and children in 1870 in Guntown, Lee Co, Mississippi. Described as black. [possible]
• John McMANUS, born 1832 in Tennessee. Described as negro. [possible]
• Leonard W. Morrow McMANUS, born Leonard W. MORROW?, 23 Jan 1867 in Gray twp, Edgefield Co, South Carolina. Adopted by Samuel and Martha Ann (HORN) McMANUS of Edgefield Co, South Carolina. Leornard married Permelia A. HORN. Leonard died 16 Sep 1928 in Greenwood, South Carolina. [known]
• Mike McMANUS, born 1849 in South Carolina. Living in 1870 in Copiah Co, Mississippi. Described as black. [possible]
• Roberson McMANUS, born 1854 in South Carolina. Field hand of Napoleon B. McMANUS of Old Stone, Chesterfield Co, South Carolina. [possible]
• Theophilus McMANUS, born 1835 in South Carolina. Lived in Edgefield Co, South Carolina where he had children. Possible former black slave of James Goodwin 'Goody' McMANUS or James Amos McMANUS, both of Gray twp, Edgefield Co, South Carolina. [possible]
• William McMANUS, born 1831 in Mississippi. Described as negro. [possible]

2 Aug 2004 (updated May 2006) Philip E McManus