Comhghairdeas to Kathy Hochul, making history today, elected Governor of New York state, Kathy is a ‘Kerry Girl’! Her grandfather John Courtney was born in 1909 at Fahamore Castlegregory.
We find Kathy Hochul’s grandfather John Courtney/Cournane aged 2 with his family at Fahamore, Castlegregory on the 1911 Census of Ireland:
1911 Census of Ireland. Kathy Hochul’s grandfather John Cournane [Courtney] (2), her great-grandfather John (36) her great-grandmother Bridget (32), her Great-Great grandfather John (65) and Great-Great grandmother Ellen (62).
Wonderful!!
Thank you Kay for “being on the ball” and bringing us this breaking news ahead of national media.
You are a truely great and inspiring genealogist.
Thank you Kay for passing on the good news
Wow! we have friends in high places.
I am a Courtney as well! But not from Kerry. My 3rd great grandfather was Hugh Courtenay, b~1820. Married Catharine Byrne in Avoca, Wicklow, 1838. – Cindy Courtney
Yea for Kerry girls. Come from a long line of them. We’re strong and indepent so watch out for us.
It looks like John Cournane/Courtney’s mother Ellen is 62 years old in 1911 census when he was 2 years old.
Amazing! It appears to be true. Her oldest son was born when she was in her early 20’s.
Hello Sheila, It looks like Ellen (62) is John’s Grandmother and his mother is Bridget (32). They were a bit ‘slapdash’ about their ages in the 19th century, they didn’t really know their exact dates of birth and weren’t even very interested. That is until the Old Age Pension came in 1909 and then everyone possible wanted to qualify so you would notice that ages in 1911 could be a lot more than 10 years older in 1901! However, the Cournanes/Courtneys were different, obviously better educated – they could all read and write so they were probably fairly accurate.
Thank you Kay. I must have misread the Census.
Sheila
Your a great woman Kay, always with a finger on the pulse.
I am currently researching County Kerry Cournane ancestors that, surprisingly, your post suggests I share with Governor Hochul. I did not know Cournane and Courtney are same family.
Please suggest a best next research step. Thank you very much!
Carol Carey Godwin
Thank you Kay for sharing
Kathy Hochul had a great great granduncle, Jeremiah Lynch, born Fahamore Maharees 1859, left for America around 1884, and vanished.