I have traced my ancestors (on my mother's side)as far back as Margaret O'Malley who was born in 1780 on Clare Island Coo Mayo, Ireland. In c1860, Margaret and her son Thomas, together with his wife Briget O'Malley, moved to Newcastle (UK) with Bridget's four children, Michael, Anthony, Austin & Honor. They changed their names, firstly to Malley and then later to Malia. Anthony married Margaret MacEvilly who was also from Clare Island and they had 8 children.(My line of the family) Half the family remained in the UK with the remainder emmigrating to USA.
The family history, passed down verbally through the generations, is that this branch of the family are decendants of 'Pirate Queen' Grace O'Malley who had an affair with the captain of a Spanish Ship.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone else who may be related.