This Mahan family originated in Ireland. The earliest members of the family who have been traced are John Mahan (abt 1795 - 1865) and his wife, Ann, who are quoted in the wedding registration of their son, James, as living in French Park, Roscommon. John is described as a labourer on the marriage certificate of his son James (1823 -1879). James was born in Ireland, as was his wife Bridget Hanley. James is described as a labourer on his marriage certificate. He was married in Durham City.
Six sons were born to this union James Patrick Mahan (1864 - 1926) being the penultimate child. James Patrick is shown in the 1881 census as being a seventeen year old miner and living in Brandon with his widowed mother and brothers Michael and Martin. All are shown under the name Mann. In 1891 he married 19 year old Elizabeth Hanley (his mother's maiden surname). She was to die the same year of acute peritonitis. The following year he married 26 year old Annie Drinnan (shown as Drinning on the marriage certificate).
Together they had five children. One, John, was to die in the year he was born (1901). Another was Archibald Drinnan Mahan (Archie) born 1898.
