Finding Your Ancestors in Kerry is a comprehensive guide to tracing your ancestors in County Kerry. It describes all the various sources of information online and offline which are available for doing research, where each of these can be accessed and how to best use them in your search for your ancestors. Order here.
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Kay
As discussed.
Nancy thank you for your enquiry. I have done a quick search on both Tralee Church records and Civil records for Ellen Sullivan with parents John Sullivan and Johanna Connor and both come up negative. Would you let me know where you got this information so that I can make a judgement on it as to its accuracy. There is something incorrect in the information – either the location of Tralee or the names of the parents I would think. Kay
This information came from my grandparents marriage Certificate. I have found an Ellen Sullivan travelling from Albany W.A. Out 1894, and this may be her., as on her death certificate it says she was a resident in W.A. For 10 yrs, before coming to Victoria, and the time adds up
Hi not sure if this helps my ex husband’s mother was Johanna O’Sullivan nee Connor was called Annie, her husband was Timothy O’sullivan they had two sons Patrick and John Joseph
I am trying to trace my Grandmothers family. She was born @Tralee 1867/8. She was Ellen Sullivan, parents were John Sullivan & Johanna née O’Connor. John was a Blacksmith. Ellen came to Australia approx. 1895 (via New Zealand?) I do not know anything else of her life in Ireland. Did her family leave Ireland too? She married at Geraldton Western Australia 20/8/1900 to Richard Bibby, died Melbourne July 1943. My father was an only child, also named Richard
Nancy, I thought I had replied to this earlier, if I didn’t – my apologies. I cannot find an Ellen Sullivan with parents John Sullivan and Johanna Connor in Tralee or for that matter in any of the Kerry baptisms. If you would like to email me separately, I might be able to get some further information from you that would help in identification process. My email address is on home page of the website.
My Grandfather was John Joseph Griffin , named after John O Connell ( who was a Lawyer in New York and Baltimore Maryland , my Grandmother Helen Heineke of germany, had three sons {my father is John Joseph Griffin II , George Griffin and Robert Thomas Griffin His great aunt was Ellen Bridget OConnell”Griffin” who came from Kerry Ireland , she died on Feb 16 1930 in New York ,All i know is that we are related to Daniel OConnell , and that i have pictures of the Family in Kerry , as well as Dublin , I know that Maurice was on the expedition to the Antarctic , and that Ellen Bridget came over on the ship to New York ,(i have pictures } can you tell me WHERE the Griffin line crosses into the OConnell , because the Heritage sites make my head spin , lol, could you please shed some light on this ?
My Grandfather was John Joseph Griffin , named after John O Connell (My Grandfather was a Lawyer in New York and Baltimore Maryland , my Grandmother Helen Heineke of germany, had three sons {my father is John Joseph Griffin II (who married Helen M Maki. my mother ) , George Griffin and Robert Thomas Griffin their aunt was Ellen Bridget OConnell “Griffin” who came from Kerry Ireland , she died on Feb 16 1930 in New York ,All i know is that we are related to Daniel OConnell , and that Bridget is the key ,and that i have pictures of the Family in Kerry , as well as Dublin , I know that My great Uncle Maurice was on the expedition to the Antarctic , and that Ellen Bridget came over on the ship to New York ,(i have pictures } can you tell me WHERE the Griffin line crosses into the OConnell , because the Heritage sites make my head spin , lol, could you please shed some light on this ?
I have a book by Michael H. O’Connor, titled ‘Tracing your Kerry Ancestors’ which this looks very similar to this one (from checking it out on Amazon). Are they entirely different books, different editions of the same book, or what? I’m keen to know how different it is so I can decide whether I should buy ‘Finding your ancestors…’, you’ll probably appreciate I don’t want to duplicate.
Dave, my book is Finding Your Ancestors in Kerry published by Flyleaf Press in Austust 2015. Michael O’Connor wrote and Flyleaf published his edition sometime around 1999/2001 and is out of print now. As you will appreciate, a lot of new research has become available in the intervening years, quite a bit is online so available worldwide. The present book is 148 pages as compared to 89 (I think) in the older one.
Hi Kay, thanks very much for that clarification, sounds like your book is worth getting. My copy of O’Connor’s book is from 1994 and you’re certainly correct that there’s been a lot of changes since then! I gather from what you say that your book is a revised, extended version of the O’Connor book so I guess there’s some parts that are the same. Seems odd that his name isn’t on ‘Finding…’ though, it would make it clearer that this is am improved version rather than being a different (competing) publication that perhaps adds nothing new.
cheers,
Dave
Kay I am trying to find the burial place of my great great grandparents :
Cornelius Dore/Dower and Johanna (nee Stack) from Ballybunion or Ballyduff
Maurice Joy Sr and Catherine/Kate Carroll from Carraweesha (?) Urlee
How can I find out where they are all buried and also the names of THEIR parents ?
Their children Cornelius Dower & Norah Joy came to Australia in the early 1880s.and married here in 1885.
Thanks
Pam I will email you directly in reply. Kay
My grandparents apparently were from Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland. They were Jeremiah Gallivan b. 1812-1814 and Catherine O’Sullivan b. abt 1832 (poss. father Jim O’Sullivan). They both immigrated to America where they were married in 1854. They ended up in Missouri.
I have been looking for a long time and wondered if you could help me?
Margaret I am sending you by email an image from the original baptismal register in Kenmare of the baptism of Catherine Sullivan 10 February 1827. I would need more information on Jeremiah.
Kay
Hi, I just sent you an e mail but no details. My GGGradfather was James Carter Lannen d Sept 1901 Kerry Reg. of death Cahirsiveen. His wife was Maria D Lynch both were in the 1901 census at Portmagee.
James was a “sub Postmaster”
I am coming to Irelnd next year and would love to visit their grave. Regards Sue Lannen
spstringer@bigpond.com
Sue, unfortunately I have no idea where he exactly he is buried. More than likely it is in Portmagee cemetery (or extension). While the Kerry County Council have a website listing graves – Portmagee doesn’t start until 1949. My advice is to go there and give yourself time – a few days – to talk to older people, to the Parish Clerk and get advice from them. It is the only way to do this as we (Irish) are not very good at grave marking or grave recording. Kerry people are very friendly and really want to help you so will be prepared to to all kinds of lengths to get your grave identified. Just don’t go there in July or August when it is high Summer. You will love Portmagee.
I am trying to find my great grandmother’s parents names. Her name is Anne Murphy and I have her born in Scartaglen in 1862. She immigrated to America in 1881 and married my great grandfather Patrick Liddane (Ladden) who had immigrated to US from Kilcummin with another brother. Anne and Patrick were well known for helping other Irish immigrants find lodging and work. They would feed the newly immigrating Irish. My great grandmother Anne tirelessly cared for any one who came to their door seeking help. She passed away of a massive stroke while feeding a family at her home in 1917, Hoosick Falls NY. I am also wondering if both Patrick and Anne may have entered through Canada and what records are there to trace this supposition?
Happy to find this site. Have been searching for church records based on info we (family, cousins, aunt, etc who have been researching) thought pretty sure of. And not finding, looking for other suggestions. In Ireland this week and was truly hoping to more definitively go to Killarney, Kerry, and see church, even cemetery if possible.
Great grandfather was John Joseph Laffan, have turned up birth dates of March 24, 1874, baptism 1874 but not showing up in church record online, mostly but some records also say about 1877. Parents James Laffan and Mary Shorten (or Shortall)
Also Great great Grandfather (great grandmothers side) Martin Pursey or Purcell, about 1825, married to Bridget.
Any assistance or suggestions greatly appreciated!
Lora, on a very quick search I can find baptisms of James 24.6.1878,Mary 25.3.1873, James 1.11.1885,Mary Elizabeth 11.1.1888 all children of James Laffan &Mary Shortall. I did not find John Joseph but I had very little time so could not do an exhaustive search. As there are 2 children called James this could be (a) the first one died & the next son was given the same which was quite normal or (2) the transcription from the original register is incorrect ( which could be normal also!). I would advise getting my book (Easons Killarney or Killarney Library) ‘Finding Your Ancestors in Kerry’ to help you further.Also if you would like to read my last blog on the advantages of getting your research done at homr well in advance of a visit -for next time. Kay
Thank you Kay! That confirms what I have seen also, and you are of course correct, much more research can be done from home, simply ran out of time. I just look at it as ‘more for next trip’! I first researched years ago but resources are much easier in some ways now so will look into getting your book and learning more. I did go visit St Mary’s Cathedral and let my cousins know I believe this to be Cathedral in correct sources at least. Brought tears to my eyes being there, will keep looking! Thank you much
Lora, yes read and read everything you can on the territory and history of the area and you will find that you will get much, much more from your visit next time. Also keep an eye on my blogs – I hope to give helpful hints on locating sources and ‘how to’ on a fairly regular basis in these. Kay
Hello Kay, I have been researching my family history for some years and have got as far back as I can go looking into my maternal grandmother’s parentage in Kerry. The family name is Tuohey, which I know can be spelled a great number of ways. I am certain that they came from Kerry – my mum remembers her aunts talking about it often. I can find evidence – census records and birth certificates, of the family appearing in Holborn, London somewhere between 1865 and 1869 and here I can get no further. Are you able to help me and can you give me an idea of how long it will take as we are planning a trip to Ireland in the summer?
Linda, thank you for your enquiry. You haven’t given me any details of name, possible location etc., so if you could email me (caballkay@gmail.com} any information you have I can have a quick look for you. After that I can give more comprehensive advice – whether you would be able to conduct the research yourself with perhaps the aid of my book Finding Your Ancestors in Kerry or if it is more complicated and you need to commission research. Looking forward to hearing from you. Kay
Hello! I’m stuck….My frustration, I think, stems in part from the old Irish tradition of naming children after grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, and so on: My head spins, when I see what seem like families with all the same names, only in different orders! (I exaggerate just a tiny bit.) Truly, though, every woman was Johanna, and those who weren’t, were Bridget, lol! The Irishgenealogy.ie site is great, and I can find my grandmother’s (Helen [Ellen] Coffey, b. 1877) and her parents’ (James Coffey, Elizabeth Lynch) records, based on the fact that they were in Coomavohir and Dooira. I think it’s correct that James’ parents were Jeremiah (Dermot) Coffey and Johanna Shea, and Elizabeth’s were Patrick Lynch and Julia Kelly. Going back that far probably ought to be good enough, but the thing is, I’ve used DNA matches to piece together Coffey families in U.S. , and I’m curious to explain how the relationships work. The puzzle taunts me! My grandmother was orphaned, as her mother died shortly after arrival in U.S. (I’m guessing in quarantine, but haven’t found any records of her death). From church (Dromod parish) records, and what I believe is correct ship manifest (May 3, 1880), it appears that she had a younger sister. I’d never heard of her having a younger sister, so I would guess that the sister also died in quarantine. I also haven’t found a record of James Coffey’s death, although some second-hand information from a cousin was that he supposedly made it to Illinois (their destination, where they had relatives), although died not long afterward. Are there records other than the church records that would be helpful? The civil records are so general, they don’t seem helpful at all.
Mary, yes I can sympathise with your frustration. I think the biggest problem is that spelling was not standardised. Have you read my book Finding Your Ancestors in Kerry? It should give you an overview of what you can find and hopefully also, make you aware of what you just cannot find. I think that is one of the problems with IrishGenealogy.ie. It never tells you that pages were missing, misprints in transcription etc etc. For instance ‘Coomavoher’ (correct spelling) in the Civil Parish of Dromod, in the Barony of Iveragh would enable you to look at land records, which we always advert to when we are stuck on records. The Tithe Applotments and Griffiths Valuation are invaluable for identifying families. I have no idea where ‘Doira’ might be. It may be ‘Doory’ in the Civil Parish of Dromod also.
Kay
Hello
My ancestors are Coffeys and Nowlans.Would you have any records on a Patrick Joseph Nowlan? Born 1828 Approx.He came to Canada in the 1840s or 1850s.I have found quite a bit of his Canadian history on the pada website.However I am stumped on his Irish background. He was from A town called Killarney. Thanks for your site!
Patrick on a quick check there is no record of a Patrick Nowlan’s (Nolan) baptism in Killarney in the early 1800s. As you have a lot of information of his life in Canada, that is really where you need to start.
To explain records in Kerry in the 19th century – nobody had two ‘christian’ or first names. They only took on the second name when they emigrated and found that it was the ‘done thing’. Irish people in the 19th Century and before, were not very cognisant of their correct birth dates. So all indications (from Census, Naturalisation, Death Certificates) are only approximate. Compulsory civil registration of births, marriages & deaths began in 1864, prior to this, we are relying on baptismal records, if available.
There is also the problem that as a result of the general religious restrictions and the Penal Laws from the late 16th century to the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829, it was difficult and dangerous for priests to keep and/or maintain records. As a result only a small number of parish registers survive of baptisms and marriages before 1820. The urban parishes of Tralee, Killarney and Listowel have the earlier records – some from 1792 and others not available until after 1870.
My advice would be to check the Canadaian records and if you wold like to let me have details of Patrick’s wife and children – the traditional naming practice might through some clues our way.
There is a family with parents Patrick Nolan and Mary Egan in Killarney in 1844 but no child called Patrick.
Kay
Thank you Kay.I am back at it with my my research. Patrick Nowlan had 3 boys Jim,Tom and my great grandfather Robert.We have no info on him other than he came to Pickering Ont from Killarney .I would think in the mid 1850’s. The advice is greatly appreciated! PN
Pat, on a quick look-up (on http://www.Irishgenealogy.ie) there is no sign of a Patrick Nolan in the Catholic Parish of Killarney in the time period 1825- 1845. If Patrick’s eldest son was called Jim, from the traditional naming pattern, I would presume Patrick’s father would be James or indeed it could be Patrick also. Secondly, while Patrick might have said he was from ‘Killarney’, a lot of emigrants said this as Killarney is such a well known place. My advice is to get hold of my book (if you don’t already have it) Finding Your Ancestors in Kerry from Amazon. in the book you will get help and hints and also a list of the outlying Catholic Parishes from Killarney. I would just try entering ‘Kerry’ rather then Killarney and see if any family comes up within a radius of the town of Killarney. Best of luck – its not easy!
Can you help me Im looking very hard for our ancestor no One can find anything probably because of the laws you stated his name was Daniel Francis Rork Roark or Roork it’s spelled all these ways in our tree since Daniel Francis came over on the ship the Freedom they have him coming from Kerry born in Kerry 1715 but no parents listed he immigrated around 1730 or 35. As an indentured person in PA in the USA. We are all stumped in our trees with Daniel can you help me
sheiladunbar57@yahoo.com
Desperate please ! I’ve paid so much money too so many sites
Sheila I am sorry to tell you that the possibility of finding a family or location of ‘Daniel Francis Rork’ are very poor, or I could say impossible. There are just no records extant in Kerry (or anywhere) of Kerry people born in the early 1700s. I am sorry that you have paid out money to ‘sites’ or people in the hope of finding the required information. As a help, could I say that he would have had only one name – either Daniel or Francis, not both. And probably his surname is Rourke.
Hi Mary, the reference for the Townland of Coomavoher in the Tithe Applotment Records at 1825 is to “John Lyne and Partners”. John Lyne was my 2nd Great-Grandfather. Our family moved to the adjacent townland, Curravoola, by 1840 where John’s sons, Denis and James Lyne, were tenant leasing from Mary Mahony of Dunloe at the time. Our family farm is still there and in remains in the family.
Griffit’s Valuation in 1850-2 can be accessed by entering the name “Coomaroher” (misspelled) and there are entries for Jeremiah Coffey and John Coffey. Coffey families are still in that townland in the 1901 Census so it would be a good idea to order the Griffith’s Valuation Revision Books for Coomavoher which will show any tenant/owner changes from 1850 up until the 1970s.
Good hunting! Patrick
I may be able to help you.
The only facts I could muster of my great- great grandfather on my mother’s side was… John Sullivan born 1818 or 1819 in County Kerry. He shows up in Ontario, Canada in a marriage record 1849 February 11th. He was married in a Roman Catholic Church there named St. Gregory Mission Church. (His wife being possibly originally from county Meath named Joanna Riordan, and I assume they met in Canada) It is not much to go on at all!!! Reading of the Kerry Famine 1847- 1852 which you wrote in your blog was really eye opening! I could imagine perhaps that John left county Kerry for Canada during the beginning of this horrible famine, but it would only be a guess. If you by any chance what-so-ever have access to county Kerry birth records for 1818 or 1819, I would be most interested! I am visiting the Kenmare area on June 1st, then to Dublin. I just want to see the land area near where my ancestor once walked and breathed and to meet people and enjoy the area. (I am from the USA) Thank you, Kay!
•Daniel O’Sullivan born about 1740 Ireland died 12 1802 Tralee Ireland.
•Mary Sullivan Patrick born 7 1772 County Kerry died 1 14 1854 county Kerry.
•Maurice O’Reilly born 12 31 1800 county Kerry married 6 1 1828 county Kerry died 8 21 1845.
•Mary Catherine Scott born 6 3 1812 county Clare died 9 11 1858 county Kerry.
•John Scott Reilly born 6 15 1836 county Kerry married 6 20 1864 Leavenworth Kansas died 4 12 1913 Pueblo Colorado.
•Timothy Sughrue born 3 6 1782 Castlemaine married 6 14 1803 Killarney died 12 20 1829 County Kerry.
•Julia Cronin born 8 7 1786 county Clare died 10 23 1847 County Kerry.
•Humphrey Sughrue born 8 18 1805 county Kerry married 5 7 1836 Washington DC died 4 15 1886 Dodge City Kansas.
•Mary Sullivan born 7 14 1818 County Kerry died 3 24 1871 Mt Vernon IL.
•Mary Elizabeth Sughrue born 2 18 1841 county Kerry
Died 12 6 1917 Pueblo Colorado
•Maurice O’Reilly born 12 31 1800 county Kerry married 6 1 1828 county Kerry died 8 21 1845 County Kerry
Hi Kay
I have recently discovered through some family research that my Scottish heritage actually goes back to the Counihans of Killarney, County Kerry. Cornelius Counihan’s son Bernard Cunningham on the scottish 1871 census has listed his dad Cornelius as being baptised 1 Jan 1831 and Cornelius’s parents as being John Counihan and Ellen Sullivan.This was extra information that was required…thank goodness. I have done some research and it seems like Cornelius had siblings; James bap 1812. Timothy bap1815, Thomas bap1816 ,Mary bap1818, Daniel bap 1819, Margaret bap 1822, Mary bap1824, Timothy bap1827. I have found the father John Counihan as being baptised in 1787 to a Francis Counihan and Elizabeth Mccarthy. He married Ellen Sullivan in 1806. My confusion comes with the information I have on Cornelius. The 1851 Scottish Census has him as being 53 years old, estimated birth of 1798. He is listed as Cenighan (Conighan. Connaghan, Cunningham) Names seem to change from one document to another! I am sure the dates and spellings could be off as he could not read or write. in 1840 he has his first child then his last in 1846 (5 children in total) His spouse is listed as Ann or Agnes Glancy. Is it possible that he was actually born earlier than 1831 and baptised many years later? Was this somthing that was done during these times? All his children were born in Scotland. Roman Catholic and Mining was the occupation for many generations in Scotland. Im so excited to learn of my Irish heritage on my dads side. Portuguese and French on my mothers side and Scottish/Irish on my dads, so makes for an intersting mix. Planning on returning to Scotland next year as I now live in Australia and would love to head over to Ireland and discover more. Do you have any suggestions on how I can learn more about my Irish heritage? Gortahoonig, Carrigfreaghane and Clogherreen as some of the place names of where they lived in Killarney!
Thankyou for any suggestions you have on how I can learn more.
Clotilde, there is obviously something incorrect here with the basic research so lets start at the beginning. You say that on an 1871 Scottish Census that John Cunningham has ‘listed his dad Cornelius as being baptised 1 Jan 1831’. Is this information (is Cornelius listed)mactually on the 1871 census with his age as 40?? Yet you say that the 1851 Census has him as 53 years old. One date is obviously incorrect and it would appear to me that Cornelius date of birth could not be 1831 if his first child was born in 1840. I doubt if he was nine years of age when his first child was born.
So your basic assumption is incorrect from the start and then as far as I can see, ou are ‘fitting in’ in relatives and siblings to fit 1831. ‘Counihan’ is a very well known name in Killarney as is ‘Sullivan’. You will find numbers of them through the years. Are you even certain that Cornelius was from ‘Killarney’? If you could let me know what your source is for the Killarney location, I will come back to you with further suggestions or findings.
Kay
Thanks Kay for your reply. I only happened to come across your reply a couple of days ago when doing further research. The internet sent me to your blog where I saw your response that you had posted a couple of months earlier. Don’t know why it didn’t come through on my email.
The 1871 census I mentioned was for a Bernard not a John. Cornelius was not mentioned as living with them on the actual census. The Extra information that I listed on my original post ,was found on the internet and it said it was extra information attached to Bernard Cunninghams 1851 Census. Everything else was true and correct in regards to the census information so foolishly I believed that the extra information was true as well. Once I had this information I thought to myself how fortunate I was to have a link with my Cornelius and his birth place of Ireland. Having Counihan, Killarney, parents names, and a Baptismal date for Cornelius I was able to find the other siblings of Cornelius born to Ellen Sullivan and John Counihan and then in turn Johns Parents Francis Counihan and Elizabeth McCarthy.
However when I downloaded the original census from Scotland’s People I couldn’t see this extra information and so I contacted them to ask if maybe it was documented elsewhere within the census records. They kindly responded and said it was more than likely research done by someone else separately. Now I cannot find the link to who or where this information was that I found. It was a while back and I have spend many hours and visited lots of different pages on my computer and I don’t always bookmark every page. So back to the drawing board!! Either find the source of this extra information or keep searching for where in Ireland my Cornelius is from if its not Killarney.
I was aware that if he was baptised in 1831 and he had children in Scotland from 1840-1846 then that would be something indeed! This is what confused me and why I had originally contacted you to find out if it was normal to not be baptised 20-30 odd years after birth if the birth was around 1800. Census info on Cornelius and the death certificate of his Wife Agnes Glancy has her born around 1807 and him around 1800 both in Ireland. Cornelius could not read or write so the different spellings I can understand…Cenighan, Conigham, Cunningham.
Anyway if I feel my head about to explode or it stops being fun then I will look to a professional like yourself for some help for the Irish side of things. My dad had the Scottish ancestory side of things put together by Scot Roots and it really helped to give me something concrete to work with.
The fun continues. Thanks again for your time and response.
Clotilde
Where do I even start! I have been on ancestry.com and just found out that my ancestors are from Tralee Kerry. Sur name Lucas. I got back to Benedict Lucas 1735 and then I hit the ye ole wall. Can someone just please point me in the right direction? Thank you so much!
Debi Lucas
Debi, Catholic Baptismal and Marriage records from Tralee survive and are available online from 1772 and 1774 respectively. You won’t find any genealog records prior to that time. Tralee (Blennerville Church of Ireland records start at 1771 baptisms, 1747 marriages. Full details of what is and what is not available are on my book Finding Your Ancestors in kerry.
Hi Kay. My grandparents Edward and Hannah McCarthy lived in ballymacelligott co. Kerry around 1900.not very good with the internet .any information you could find ,might help me start my search .looking to find information on Christopher mccarthy, born 1929 in ballymacelligott. But can’t find anything on him anywhere thanks
Family members can’t give me much information.
Don’t understand what you mean about moderation
Trying to find information on my grandmother Ellie Hallisey from Kenmare or Blackwater Bridge . Her parents were Andrew Hallisey and Mary Sullivan. She told us her birthday was November 15,1903. She was 1 of 11 children and her mother died giving birth to her. I know she came to America in 1920 with her brother Andrew. I have a copy of the 1911 census that lists Andrew as head of household but I believe by the age it’s her brother. I can’t find any birth record or baptismal record or even her mother’s death certificate . Any help greatly appreciated
Hi there just wondering if you could help me..my great grandmother is Hannah Maybury . also goes by Anna and joanna ..from the 1901 census her birthplace is listowel ..i cant seem to find any other info on her.year of birth is 1863 ..i would love some more info on her if you could..thanks
Ger i think there is some mistake here. There i no ‘Maybury’ name listed in the Census of 1901 for Listowel. Maybury has been a Kenmare name for a couple of hundred years. Maybe you meant Kenmare?
Hi Kay, my gg grandfather,Thomas Joseph OConnor, according to his grave stone, was from Meccanoc, Listol, Co Kerry.
I cannot find any info on either Meccanoc or Pistol. I am wondering if Pistol could be Listowe or if you have ever heard of Mecconac? He was born in 1837, and I have no further info on him prior to his immigration. Thank you.
Mary Kay, you are correct about Listowel – I am a native of Listowel myself and there is no townland called Meccanoc. I will email you direct to get more information and then we should be able to locate him. Kay
Hi Kay, Just hit on your page as I was looking up sources in Kerry Co. Library . Would Meccanoc ( mentioned in Mary Kay Huston’s letter ) be Muckenagh in Lixnaw ? I am researching Dowlings in Finuge and find it sometimes under Lixnaw, sometimes under Listowel
. I may be appealing for help soon but will read your book first. I can’t understand how I missed out on it because I have been doing this research for about 10 years but I dip in and out and am living in Dublin so missed the launch?
Helen I will reply directly as this comment space doesn’t allow for maps or anything like that.
Hi Kay,
I think my Great great grandparents were Denis (1842) and Honora Sullivan (1833 ?) (her maiden name was Sullivan too). They got married in Templenoe, Kerry, Ireland in 1860… or maybe in 1866 because there are two different marriage records. My Great grand father Daniel was born May 1865, Kenmare, Kerry. Patrick was born March 1867, Kenmare, Kerry. Jeramiah Oct 1869, Kenmare Kerry. Denis Sep1871, Kenmare Kerry. Ellen May 1874, Kenmare, Kerry. I need to prove this to myself, that I am correct. Since there are no census and I can’t follow the Griffith valuation very well, is there anything else that will show me a whole famly living in one place? I think they all ended up in different places… (Daniel & Patrick in New Jersey) but they must have started somewhere together. I’m coming to Ireland in September. I don’t want to waste time if they all really come from Cork. Frustrated with my Sullivan name. :)
Thanks .
Nancy, I can sympathise with you – being ‘frustrated with Sullivan name’. i get that way myself when I am trying to untable them, particularly in the Beara Peninsula and surrounding area. I have had a quick look and of course there are more than one married couple called Denis Sullivan and Hanora Sullivan in the Kenmare area. So you have two options as it is important you get the correct identity before you arrive in Sept as well as the actual townland where they lived. If you can get hold of my book Finding Your Ancestors in Kerry from Amazon, that should be of some help to you and it is the least expensive. Other than that, I can offer you a Research Plan which will sort out the lot but there is a cost involved for the time input. I will email you separately with a Query form and we can see where we go from there. Kay
I am trying to find information about my grandparents
Denis Shea.I think his fathers name was Con Shea and Con’s fater was Mike Shea. Denis married and his wife Bridget (nee) Coffey born 1871
in the Black Vally Killarney I believe they married in 1899 and I think lived in Caladaninur Also
Bridgets parents Jeremiah Coffey and his wife Mary
(nee) Foley her ffther died young.
Any information on this line would be most helpful
I am looking for information on John Cloghanelinaghan Garvey born in 1827 married to Catherine Bowler born 1840 in county Kerry.
John, i don’t think there is such person with full name as in John Garveys – people born in Ireland in the 19th century had just one christian name. The middle name you have quoted here is probably some part of his address. I will send you separatey a Query Form with targeted questions so that it would improve the chnces of maing a positive identification.
I am trying to trace information on ancestors from Listowel. My great-great grandmother was Margaret McAuliffe who, at age 20, arrived in Sydney Australia in October 1865 on the ship “General Caulfield”. She was accompanied by her sister, Catherine, aged 23. (This information – name, age, residence – is noted in the passenger list for that ship. Assistance for passage was paid by Florence McAuliffe. Margaret’s marriage notice in the Sydney newspaper in 1867 identified her as the 3rd daughter of Mr Florence McAuliffe of Listowel. I have not found further information on Margaret’s family in Ireland. Margaret was known as Margaret Mary in Australia. Maybe Mary could have been her mother’s name.
Thank you
I am searching for info about my great grandparents. James Marshall and Mary Reidy from Castleisland Kerry. James was a builder and Mary a school teacher. I would like info about who their parents were as well. Thanks so much
Jean
Jean I can see that James Marshall married Mary Reidy on 12 April 1883. I will send you separately a Query Form & if you would like a suggested Research & Report you can fill that in with in & return to me. The Query Form has targeted questions to enable positive identifications.
Hi Jean, we share the same great grandparents, my grandfather was Michael Marshall, please feel free to contact me. Kind regards. Billy Marshall
hi jean they are my ancestors too – their marriage cert is via https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1883/10937/5997049.pdf
Hello Kay. I am researching Flynn family – I have very little family history/info. Thomas Flynn is my gg grandfather. We only know that he was born 1835. I’m dna matching Sullivan line in Kerry (which I know this is a large group). I found church birth record for Thomas in Castleisland, Kerry. Of course I cannot be certain of this document. However I am also matching Kelliher which is a sponsor name on a sibling baptismal record. Do you know much of flynn or Clifford in Kerry? I know Thomas immigrated and settled in MO where he passed by 1880 but no death certificate has been found. Thank you so much for your time.
Angela, we would need a few more precise details. I will send you separately a Query Form which has targeted questions to enable me to make a judgement on successfully (or otherwise) identification of your ancestor.
Hi Kay
I found the birth date of John O’Connor(Sean DaY) he was born in 1807 and died 1881.I found his will.His son Thomas J O’Connor died in 1903.There was an obituary in paper and a list of clergy and chief mourners for Thomas J.
The obituary stated that Thomas J did his apprenticeship in Castleisland with his uncle Ferdinand Roche and his father Sean Day set him up in business, in Knocknagoshel This would have been middle 1850’s
Sean Day is mentioned in AN Duchas.ie in the schools collection.It was written by Patrick Robinson.He wrote about Sean Days generosity during the famine times.I have the poem.
I would love to know who Thomas J’s mother was.Just a name.She would be Sean Days wife.
Thanks for reading
Peigi Sean Og Dennison O’Connor
Hi Kay,
I am researching Quinlan family origins in Castle Cove Staigue Fort.
Ancestors, Edward and Catherine Quinlan, lived in cottage by Staigue Fort in 1795 but we have no idea when
they arrived there. Our cousins Mike and Catherine Casey still live near Staigue Fort having built a nice home where
we stayed on our last visit. The Quinlans buried there in the older plot just above where Edward and Catherine
are buried had grave stones so old even the Gaelic was illegible. Any information on origin of families
in that area and how they got there would be very helpful. My wife’s family roots are deep there and it would
mean so much to be able to share any findings regarding possible origins with her mom who is in failing health.
Hi David
I am a distant relation of the Quinlan’s of Staigue Castlecove Co Kerry, the original home in Staigue is now in ruins .
One member of the family is living in Lower Liss a townland near by .
I have sone information on the Quinlan family which I am happy to share with you, ie some information came from the United States and I started a family tree some years ago.
If you send me your email address I will forward the information I have to you
Kind Regards
Maurice
Hi looking for details on my great great grandmother. Her name was Catherine (or Catharine or Katharine) O’Connor. She was born/christened in 1854 from our family details and would immigrate to New Zealand at age 19 with her brother John aged 21 in 1873. Unfortunately when they left Ireland their spelling of their surname was spelt incorrectly on ship records up New Zealand, but we were always told it was OConnor not Connor. I’m not 100% sure of their parents names and have tried Irish christening records lookiing for connection to the siblings but having no luck. Catherine would have nine surviving children in NZ, I know names occur across generations – her daughters Jane (she called Jeanie) and Ellen (she called Nelle) and seven sons – John. James, Maurice, William, Daniel, Thomas snd Francis. All the children are born in New Zealand. I had hoped their New Zealand marriage certificate would end confusion but only records she’s from county Kerry and her age.
There an area we have seen come up so unclear of spelling is incorrect or if it’s a church Killralliean.
Would love any help as only people who could answer this are no longer with us
Regards
Sarah
Sarah, this is one of the ‘needle in a haystack’ quests – so many Connors/O’Connors in Kerry. I will send you a Query Form separately with targeted questions and then suggestions that might help.
Hello, Kay,
I am researching my family tree and have not been able to find information about my Great Grandfather, Bartholomew O’Sullivan, who was born in Tralee, March 24, 1836. He emmigrated to New York and eventually homesteaded in South Dakota. It is difficult to read his parents’ names on his death certificate…..it looks like Thos O’Sullivan and Johanna Shurr or Sheur. I am quite sure he was baptized in one of the Catholic churches in Kerry County and probably in Tralee, but could not read the listings in the registry on Ancestry.com. His first name might start with the letter J rather than Bartholomew as that is how it was listed on a USA federal census one year.
Do you have any information or direction for me? Thank you so much.
Best regards,
Sharon
Stuck here, good possibility my ancestor Charles Clifford was born in County Kerry in or about 1815. Possibly, in Knockeragh Killarney. Possibly descendants of Daniel Clifford and Ann Hurly. Any help would be appreciated.
Wayne, I am sending you separately a Query Form with targeted questions that may help in getting a positive identification. When you return that to me I can come back with some suggestions/proposals and costings involved.
Hi. I am researching my Costello Family Tree. It is very difficult from New Zealand. My great-great grandfather was Patrick Costelloe .Possibly Boolteens/Farnes area of Kerry. Married Honora Millane on 09/02/1841. She was possibly the daughter of James Millane and Bridget Sullivan of Farnes.Any information about Patrick and Hanora would be greatly appreciated; as well as their children. I am descended from their youngest child, Edmond (Old Ned) who lived at #7 East Boolteens in 1901 and 1911. Any information greatly appreciated.
these names are riddled thru my family – Millane, and Sullivan – but Costello also appears in the migrant group named in the famous Mary Durack historical biography of her migrant DURACK familt – in NSW ‘Grabben Gullen’ and Wheeo area near Crookwell, these names abound together – Costell was a partner of Durack – they held land next to Millane’s – intermarried with Sullivan, MacCormack etc etc
I would be more astounded if your Kerry Millane ties were not tied to my Clare Millanes as I believe my family were dispossessed of their rich farmlands in Kerry in the late 1600s – Cloontra , Clare was a place where they were forced to move – not their long term ancestral home.
I believe your names are connected by more than coincidence – to mine.
Hi
I am trying to trace my grand aunt Catherine O’Neill Born 1906 Barrow, Ardfert Co Kerry Daughter of John and Bridget O’Neill
She is showing up on a Massachussets website but thats all I have.
Miriam, I will send you a Query Form that has targeted questions, which should help towards a positive family identification. It will require more info, dates etc and I can come back then to you with suggestions and any associated costs.
Thank you Kerry
Hi Kay,
I am looking for any records for my great grandmother Julia Savage supposedly Born in TRALEE around 1855/6, her father is listed as John, a farmer, on her death certificate, no mention anywhere of her mother.
The story she told family is that her father died in a hunting accident shortly after her birth and her mother not long after of a broken heart.She was brought up by her uncle,the Laird of Tralee.He had 3 or 4 sons and she was the only female in the household apart from the maid with whom she made plans to run away to NZ.She arrived in 1876 and according to the passenger list she was a servant and her friend was probably Mary Moriarty also a servant. She married shortly after arriving in NZ. Her uncle was very upset when he found out about her running away but paid off her assisted fare.The family were catholic in NZ.
I’m not sure how much if any of this is true or just a story to tell her children.
Denise, I think Julia might have been romanticising for her children all right! But that is quite normal except it now doesn’t help us to find her family or place of birth. Just to let you know, there was no ‘hunting’ in the sense of current day ‘hunting’ around Tralee in the early to mid 1800s, nor was there ever a ‘Laird of Tralee’. Leaving all that aside it may be possible to find out her actual parentage & family location but we would need more accurate details. I will send you separately a standard Query Form which has targeted questions in order to get as much relevant informaiton as possible.
Good day Kay Caball I need Your help, I’m looking for my grandfather who was Irish born in Ireland, I found his baptism in Kerry Church Moven 25. June 1910 g Himself grandfather John O’Connor was born 24 June 1910 year and his family lived in Kelid his father Patrick, and mother Nora they were strong farmers. I really want to find when and under what circumstances, my grandfather died, and where he’s buried More than that I know nothing. Thank you very much.
Hi Kathi have been on the ancestors sites for the last 5 years doing my family tree I have found quite a lot of info but can’t seem to find my Nans birth all I know she was born 1910 in Kerry Lixnaw / listowel her name was Nora Harrington but maiden name Fitzmaurice.
She dies in 1988 here in Coventry where she lived having left Ireland about 17 if you know of any places I can contact direct it would be much appreciated.
Kind Regards Annamarie Harrington
Trying to locate information on John’s Sullivan family. who emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts around 1871 ( b. abt 1828 in Kerry d. Apr 4, 1875 Lowell, Massachusetts, USA) He was married to Ellen Casey abt 1861 in Killarney (b. Nov 21, 1831 Killarney, Kerry). She was the daughter of Patrick Casey (bapt Jan 9, 1804) and Ellen Nunan (b. 1802 Killarney, Kerry) Patrick and Ellen were married Mar 4 1821 in Killarney.
If anyone has any information regarding the parents or family of John Sullivan, I would very much appreciate finding out anything.
Thank you,
Gary Sullivan
Gary, there is something incorrect here. There are very good records from Killarney Catholic Parish, but no family of Patrick Casey and Ellen Nunan. Neither is there a marriage of John Sullivan and Ellen Casey. There is a marriage of John Sullivan and Helen Casey in kilgarvan Catholic Parish in 1865.
Hi.
I have Sullivan’s who married Sullivan’s from the Kenmare area. They were married in NYC in the 1870s.
Parent’s names for bride Catherine Sullivan…Michael Sullivan and Nancy Brennan.
Parent’s names of groom Denis/Dan Sullivan…..Patrick Sullivan and Mary Harrington.
Thank you.
Hi
Hope you are well. I have been doing research on my family with surname Sugrue.
My grandfather was Michale Sugrue from Fermoyle, impugn prior His siblings that I know of are Humphrey, John, Con(Cornelius) and Margaret. Margaret eventually ended in Massachusetts but I do not have the married name. In addition, It is said that he may have other siblings. He had first cousins Mary Sugrue and Nora Sugrue and I am sure other. Nora married an O’Shea and may have owned a pub in Kerry.
That is all that I have for now. I would be appreciative of the rest of the family that are still in Kerry and most particularly the married name for Margaret Sugrue so I could research her arrival here in the US.
Thank you
Eileen
HI LOOKING FOR INFO OF WILLIAM LEEN, 1808 FROM PADDOCK, MEENOGAHANE,CAUSEWAY, CO,KERRY, IRELAND. MARRIED CATHERINE MC CARTHY IN 1833IN KERRY, IRELAND. THEY HAD SON THOMAS ”A,BROAD LEEN.WILLIAMS FATHER WAS DERMONT “JEREMIAH”LEEN, 1780-1818) MOTHER WAS BRIDGET O”CONNER, 1779-1873.THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE. BARBARA WRRBJR@AOL.COM
I’m looking for information on Martin O’Connell 1798 Killiney Kerry Ireland he arrive 1838 by Hobart to South Australia. He may have arrive on the “EMMA” believe that is wife was Eliza Blacktop arrive on the “John Pirie” children martin John 1839 and a Catherine 1842. both children born Adelaide. Martin died 1872 Adelaide and Eliza died 1884 also Adelaide South Australia.
Daphne, 1798 is just too early for baptismal or church records in Killiney (Castlegregory). Records For Castlegregory and Killiney start in 1828. https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0660.
Also ‘Blacktop’ is definitely not a Kerry surname so it would appear that Eliza was not Irish/Kerry.
Hello, I am trying to find details of my great grandmother who was born in Killarney. She was Annie O’Sullivan, i have 2 possible DOB, 15th August 1890 ( not sure if this is the right one, as i read born uk somewhere, the other DOB i have is 16th September 1883. Her father was John
Hi, I am researching my BRADY/TUNBRIDGE family tree and hitting roadblocks. Trying to find details on my 5x Great Grandfather who was born in Kerry. His name was Sean Patrick O’DONNELL he was born in 1810, in Kerry County, Ireland. Sean was married to Mary O’Donnell (born Sharkey), 1840 – 1892 who was from Donegal, Ireland. Their child was John O’DONNELL, Convict – 1785 – 1815. Any guidance on Sean Patrick would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards,
Hello,
I’m looking for info on my father’s mother’s family. Her name is Mary O’Connell, her mother and father are John and Mary (Ryan) O’Connell. We thought they were from Milltown Malbay in Co.Clare, but her ship’s registry (Cymric) states that her last permanent residence was Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry. She left September of 1909. She had siblings Ellen, Susan, Delia, Sarah, Michael and John, all who immagrated to the US. We believe there was a brother William who stayed in Ireland. Any info you can offer would be deeply appreciated!
Thank you and all the best for a healthy and wonderful 2023! Michelle Sutherland
Hello
I am looking for Patrick Sullivan birth 4 Jan 1868 in Fermoyle Sneem Co Kerry , his parents were John Sullivan and Ann Noonan, have tried looking for hem everywhere.
Any help would be appreciated
Maurice
Looking for a ‘Patrick O’Sullivan’ in Kerry records would be like looking for a ‘needle in a haystack’. There are 13 such names alone in the Civil Registration for 1868 but not yours. However I have found the Church Registration. His mother’s name is Anne Neenan (not Noonan). I will send an image of his Baptism separately.
I am looking for descendants of my ancestors: Patrick Nolan married to Catherine Collins, or another Patrick Nolan (born about 1822) married to a Mary Connor (O’Connor, Conner, Connors). Any information would be appreciated. Some of their children were born in Knocknagoshel Village, Castleisland, Kerry, Ireland. Thank you. Laurie Nolan, laurennolan@charter.net