Recently, I was honoured to be given the task of tracing Tom Crean’s ancestors, by Aileen O’Brien d’Arcy – Tom’s Granddaughter. Aileen a brilliant professional chef runs the well known Tom Crean Fish & Wine , an Award wining Townhouse & Restaurant in Kenmare. As well as providing customers with delicious locally sourced food, Aileen is very involved with preserving the rich heritage surrounding her Grandfather’s life.
My main achievement in the research was finding the exact date of birth for Tom Crean. All current books, websites and even the Kerry County Museum say that Tom was born on 20 July 1877. We can see from a copy of his birth certificate below that he was born on the 25th February 1877.
Tom Crean, famous Antarctic explorer, was born at home on the family farm at Gortacurrane, Annascaul on 25th February 1877. His birth was not registered until 11th March at Superintendent Register’s Office in Dingle. Although it was compulsory to register all births from 1864 onwards, all births were not recorded, particularly in the early years and some were recorded a number of months later. In the case of Annascaul births, it would have been a day’s trek to Dingle over bad unmade roads to get to the registration office, but all of the Crean children have been registered as below.
Tom was the seventh child of Patrick Crean and Catherine (Kate) Courtney. The other children of the family were:
INFORMATION | SOURCE IrishGenealogy.ie | Sponsors |
1867 7 Nov | Hugh, Gortcurrane [Farm] | Hugh Crean/Mary Connell |
1869 6 Mar | Mary, Gortacurrane | Cornelius Currane/Johanna Crean |
1870 14 June | John, Ballinknockane | Hugh Crean/Mary Courtney |
1871 27 Sept | Cornelius, Gortacurrane [ RIC]m. Annie Donovan later murdered | Hugh Crean/Mary Connell |
1873 13 Mar | Daniel, Gortacurrane [Farm] | John Cournane/Johanna Cournane |
1875 24 Mar | Patrick, | n/a |
1877 25 Feb | Thomas | n/a |
1875 ? | Johanna, Gortacurrane [Says 1877 on Genealogy] | John Cournane/Ellen Moriarty |
1887 28 Aug | Catherine m. Policeman | NR/Catherine Courtney |
1879 14 Mar | Michael [Went to sea & was lost] | *On Ancestry, didn’t find on Genealogy |
Tom’s parents were Patrick Crean and Catherine (Kate) Courtney, who were married in Annascaul Parish Church on 28th February 1867. I have researched and reported to Aileen on Patrick Crean’s and Catherine Courtney’s ancestors also, their land holdings in Aunascaul and Castlegregory . If any of my readers are interested in following up possible family links in this area, please contact me by email.(on website).
Kay I tried to put some of the information from our New Zealand website about Tom Crean, for Aileen, there are extensive pieces in our papers that have been put onto our “paperspast website : http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast
But I had trouble posting it,
Hope this helps
Maureen NZ
[…] until Aileen O Brien d’Arcy – Tom Crean’s granddaughter, contacted Kay Caball of Find Your Kerry Ancestors, and tasked her with tracing Toms ancestors. It was during this search that Kay located Tom […]
[…] Crean was the fifth child of Patrick and Catherine Crean, and was born on 27th September 1871. Like his brother Tom, Cornelius was made of tough stuff and […]
You have reminded me of Cornelius and of course I should have marked the anniversary of his death on Saturday last 25th April 1920. I will make up for my ommission now, by uploading your excellent blog.
Hi Kay. At present mu brother Kerry and are trying to find out more about our family tree. We live in New Zealand. My brother believes your Grandmother married to Tom Crean is related to us. I think her name is Ellen Herlihy. DO you have much information on her?
It would be lovely to hear back from you.
Bronagh Moloney.
Bronagh, lovely to hear from a Moloney in New Zealand. My own (unmarried) name is Moloney also. I don’t have any details on Tom Crean’s wife – Ellen Herlihy. Why don’t you email me {caballkay@gmail.com) the details you have on your Herlihy ancestor and I can have a look at it.
Hi, Cornelius is my great-grandfather and the information I have indicates that he was married to Annie Stanton from Knockglass in east Cork. I have heard the Donovan surname mentioned before but the 1901 and 1911 census returns tell a different story. I’d appreciate any further information that anyone may have.
John, as far as I can see, you are absolutely correct. I had included the ‘Annie Donovan’ name as Cornelius’s wife as that is what I had read in a number of publications. I have just checked the Civil Registration and this says that ‘Cornelius Crean’ married Anne Stanton on 11th Sept 1906. The record number is 1927739 and the Registration District was Cork. It would be well worth your while getting a copy of the actual Cert which would give you both their addresses and ages so you could copperfasten your information.
Hi Kay,
Thank you very much for replying and for that information. I have had great difficulty in finding information about Con / Annie and my Crean / Courtney ancestors in general. I of course didn’t ask the questions when the people who would know were alive. It was great to come across your site and I will hopefully be in a position to contact you again for assistance in this quest.
Thank you again, I really appreciate it.
Best regards,
John
John
Annie Stanton was my grandmothers cousin . I would love to know what happened to her . She was my sisters godmother . My sister was born May 10 ,1939 in La Crosse Wisconsin U.S.A. As far as I know she had one son Billy Crean I’m sure it was William . As far as I know they lived near Cork . Would love some information.
Hi Alice,
Fantastic to hear from you, a relation. Annie was my Great Grandmother and she was married to Cornelius Crean from Annascaul in Kerry. Cornelius was a sergeant in the Royal Irish Constabulary and was murdered by the IRA in April 1920. You are right about them having one son, Billy. He was my grandfather and we used to call him Papa. His brother was Tom Crean, the Antarctic Explorer who went there with Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton. Annie died in May 1944 and I am having great difficulty in tracing her family line but I’m not giving up. I have found her name on ships’ records and she appears to have travelled to the USA quite a number of times between the 1890s and late 1930s which would have been quite unusual at the time. That has always been a mystery to me but maybe she was just visiting relatives. She was running a pub/hotel in Cork City from quite an early age. She bought a house in Crosshaven, Co. Cork after Cornelius was killed and named it Knockglass House after the area in East Cork where I believe she was from. I have to do some more digging to see if I can find out more. There is currently a national politician called David Stanton from precisely the same area in Cork so I’m going to see if I can contact him. I’ll let you know if I find anything out. – John
John Keating and Alice Cepek, delighted you have made contact with each other. It might not mean anything, but there is a ‘Knockglass’ in Camp where other Creans live – not Tom’s people but relatives. There is Knockglass More and Knockglass Beg. Kay (Caball)
Hi Tom is my great great uncle so hello nice to meet a new relative
Hi Stella, really nice to meet a new relative. What is your connection to Tom? My great-grandfather, Cornelius was Tom’s brother but he was killed by the IRA in 1920. I understand that he and Tom were close and I have a silver table condiment set from the Terra Nova Expedition which was given to Tom by Captain Scott’s wife after that ill fated expedition. I look forward to hearing from you. – John
Hello… My paternal grandmother, Katherine Crean was from Annascaul. She was born around October22, 1889( or 1888). I tried to locate her baptismal record on mykerryancestors.com but no results turned up. Where else could I look? I would appreciate any help you could give me? By the way, do you know any Trants in Tralee? I understand there used to be a few. No longer any left on Dingle Peninsula. My paternal grandfather, Patrick Trant was born in Foroughmore, Kinard in March of 1886. I have his birth certificate*
Hello.My Grandfather name was hugh crean he came from Annascaul ,he was born on sept 1922 or 1927,he said he was close relation to tom crean himself ,hugh moved to fenit island and married my grandmam mary murphy,and my grandad family stayesd near annasaul,I was wondering can u help me with this,.
Suzy, I would not be able to tell you if your grandfather Hugh Crean was a relative of Tom Crean as you say that he was born in 1922 or 1927. Those records are not available to the public. Civil Registration of births on http://www.IrishGenealogy.ie are only available up to 1916 (one hundred years ago). I would need to know the name of Hugh Crean’s father and then i might be able to get this information. If you don’t know Hugh’s fathers’ name you might find it on his marriage certificate or you could apply to for a copy to The General Register Office, (Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora) is located at Government Offices, Convent Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon. You can request online http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Apply-for-Certificates.aspx
My grandfather, James Crean, was born in BalliMcElligott, near Tralee, on April 27, 1878. He emigrated to the US in the early 20th century. His father was also named James Crean and his mother was Julian Haley. I had heard that our family might have originally been from County Sligo or Mayo, but have not yet confirmed that. I have no reason to believe that we might be related to Thomas Crean, but I thought I’d contact you to see if you can provide any guidance. Thank you, Dan Crean
Daniel, I have found your Grandfather’s baptismal record – he was baptised in St. John’s Church Tralee on 5th May 1878 with an address at Strand St.Tralee. That would signify that the family lived there then – not in Ballymacelligott at that time anyway. The parents names are given as James Crean and Julia Healy. The Sponsors were Daniel Crean and Elizabeth Crean.
There are a lot of Creans in Kerry – I wouldn’t think you are directly related to Tom Crean but maybe back a few generations they would all be from the same stock.
Hi Daniel
I think there is a possibility that the Elizabeth Crean mentioned on your grandfathers baptism may have been my husbands great grandmother. Her father was called Alexander Crane. She had several brothers and sisters but I can’t find a James. Both my husbands father and grandfather lived in Strand Street. My father in law said the property had been passed down. Whilst visiting Ireland he took us to a cemetery nr Tralee called Ballymacelligot Church of Ireland and showed us a family grave for the O’Callaghan so maybe there is a link with Ballymacelligot. My father law said he had stayed at Thomas crane family home as a boy. We have tried to find a connection but have not as yet been able to find anything. If Alexander had brothers or sisters then I suppose it’s possible that their children down the line could be related to either your grandfather or Thomas Crane. One thing I thought I should mention is I have found various spellings for Crane I have even found it spelt O’Crane.
Thank you for that information. I will continue trying to trace back my ancestry.
Dan Crean
Have been looking into my family history, and find that my Grandmother was Bridget Crean who we are told was the niece of Thomas Crean. She married and took the name Tyler and moved to London. When i was growing up i was told stories of the Irish Giant. My Mother would tell me of stories about Thomas and Uncle Sandy. Any help in tracing any members of the family would be of great value.
Steve, I can check that for you if you could let me know the name of Bridget’s father. Any details to do with her – age, location etc would be helpful also.
Hi. My husbands family are related to tom crean. We believe that jane crean who married andrew healy was toms first cousin. Jane crean is my husbands great granny. Her father was timothy crean and i wondered would he be patrick creans ( toms father) brothee by any chance. Thanks rosin grant
Roisin, it does not look like your husband’s great grandmother Jane was a first cousin of Tom Crean. As you know, Tom’s father was Patrick Crean the son of Hugh Crean and Mary Connell, of Ballinasare. Their other children were John, Cornelius, Hugh, Johanna, Bridget and Catherine (No Timothy) Neither is there a family name of Timothy in Patrick Crean’s family. If you want to give me some more information e.g. date of Jane Crean’s birth, I can have a look at her family structure.
My apologies Kay, i just saw this message. I have burst a few bubbles with your information. Jane crean was born aug 6th 1880 in what looks like ballycunningham. Her parents were timothy crean and mary roberts who married on 18th feb 1860. Jane was the youngest of ten. Jane married Andrew healy on sept 23rd 1909. They had Hannah who married Albert Grant. Albert was previously married to a Nora crean who was also Hannahs first cousin. Albert and Hannah had my father in law Albert also. Thanks for your help. Roisin
Roisin, I have just sent you off images from birth and baptismal register of the Jane Crean you mention. Her father was Timothy Crean of Tullig, Annascaul, her mother was Catherine Fitzgerald (not Mary Roberts). She was born on 2 November 1884 according to her birth certificate.
I am so happy to have found. My great grandmother was Eliza Crean/Crehan, born around 1840 we think, and from County Kerry. According to family history, she was orphaned at around age 7 due to the famine and came by herself to America…but a little obituary said she had traveled with family of some sort. She was said to never have seen her original family again. However, she ended up in Clermont, Iowa, married to John Devery and died at the age of 54, with seven living daughters and one son who died at age 2. The farm next to her was owned by a Bartholomew Creehan/Crehan, and I wonder if he was a long-lost relative.
We have absolutely no idea where she was born, how she got to America etc…no names of relatives. I know there were Creans in Annascaul, Blasket Islands and Castlegregory and elsewhere…if I had to guess I would say Annascaul.
Do we have any records or knowledge of Creans who would have died in the 1847 famine? Thanks.
Mary, it would be great if we could trace Eliza. While there are lots and lots of Crean baptisms in Kerry in the period 1830-1850, the only Elizabeth Crean recorded was baptised in Castleisland on 28 December 1834. You would really want a bit more information for a positive identification. However your post brings up lots of questions and comments.
Firstly it is very very doubtful that a young girl would have travelled to the U.S. by herself during or after the Great Famine. (By the way don’t dream of calling it the ‘Potato’ Famine). She either went with her family or in the care of relatives. So the first question we would ask is, who paid the fare? Only three ways of getting it if her family had died or were impoverished. Either a Workhouse paid it, a relative in the US sent the fare, or if the family were evicted, a landlord might have grant aided the family to get them off his land. As we don’t yet know where Eliza came from, it is impossible to figure this out.
I am quite willing to do a proper search for you, but you need (as always) to start ‘at thome’, e.e. in the U.S. If you would like to send me details as follows:
*Where in the US did Eliza first settle?
*Do you have a copy of her marriage certificate to John Devery?
*What do you know about Bartholmew Crean, her neighbour? All and every bit of information on him might be significant.
By the way, yours is the third query this week with the name Crean. Most people want to know if their families are related to Tom Crean, the Arctic Explorer. One this week was a cousin and two others not related! Kay
Thanks. I will start with trying to get a copy of the marriage certificate…I think record-keeping was a bit lax in those days but maybe I can find it. I know absolutely nothing about Bartholmew Crean…well, he was a gravedigger as well as a farmer. I wrote a song about him. I know his wife was from Kerry, but I have not seen any information on him. His wife’s name was Hanora. I believe they came over later, but I have never seen a record on ship passages with those names.
The man she married was John Devery, probably from Clonmacnoise. We are not sure when he came over..quite probably before the famine. He was quite a bit older. She worked for a man who I believe became secretary of state under McKinley…as a maid of some sort…I will do some more digging.
hi Kay
Another Crean here – my grandfather was Diarmuid Crean who grew up in Anascaul and then raised his family at the Spa Lodge, Spa , Tralee who was son of Patrick Crean shoemaker of Annascaul b. 1855 (from the info my family has (unknown source to me). He in turn was the son of Patrick Crean b1827 from Castlegregory who married Mary whose family was a local grocer in Ballinara Castlegregory. My Uncle Paddy (Patrick I am guessing!) still owns the Spa Lodge. I live in Felixstowe, England now. My grandfather married Ellen Moynihan and had no children and then Margaret Regan and had 8 boys one of which was my father Tom Crean who is 82yrs old and going strong! My grandfather was Postmaster for the UK govt in Uganda, Africa before the Irish War of Independence. Afterward he became a District Court Clerk and Secretary of Tralee Racecourse. He bred racing greyhounds too.
We all want to know if we are related to the amazing Tom the Explorer and of course we probably all are from the same stock but my question specifically is do you know if Tom’s grandfather Hugh had any siblings?
kind regards
Sean Patrick Diarmaid Crean
Sean delighted to get this. I am not near my records just now but will come back to you later. I reseached Tom (the explorer) at the request of the family so I have pretty good records going back to his grandparents. I get lots of enquiries asking if they might be related to Tom! Yours looks like one of the more likely ones.
I actually have a Crean that I am researching at present. You may be able to throw some light on this one. He is in the U.S. & his ancestor was James Crean who married a Julia Healy in Tralee in 1874. The marriage record tells us that James’father was Hugh Crean of The Spa, Tralee. Do you think your father might know. I remember uour grandmother in Tralee in the 1960/1970s & I also knew a ‘Billy (William) Crean a Bank Manager here on Limerick – maybe uour Uncke?
Kay Caball
Ms. Caball,
My wife and I are in awe over your skills with this! In addition after reviewing the threads on the board most of the people here are equally knowledgeable on their ancestry.
As with many of the people here we too are seeking a connection to Tom Crean. To our knowledge, if there is one it would be to Patrick Crean, Toms’ Father.
My tree begins with Martin Crean and Ellen Cronin. (Grand parents). We think, Martin was born around 1836. We have seen records of Baptism with their names written as Martini / Martina and Ellena. Together, they had 12 children (my God)!
In any event my family tree is public on ancestry.com and you can peruse that if you like.
Again, love what you’ve done and continue to do here. Seems like the hunger to connect to family is strong among all here.
John, this is a bit involved – I get lots of requests from Creans all over the world who naturally enought would like to be able to prove a relationship to the famous Tom Crean. As you know Tom was from Annascaul but his grandfather Hugh Crean originally came from the Castlegregory side of the mountain. He married Mary Connell of Keelballylahive (also Castlegregory side) and they went to live at Ballinasare Beg, Annascaul. As this Hugh Crean was born c. 1815 -1822, his birth/baptism is not recorded as Castlegregory (Killiney) baptisms and marriage records did not start until after 1828. Martin Crean and Ellen Cronin married in Castlegregory Parish Church on 5 February 1856 so Martin is definitely not a son of Hugh Crean (who lived at Ballinasare Beg, Annascaul). Unfortunately the marriage record does not give us Martin’s father’s name. So to sum up – you are probably what we call ‘connected’ to Tom Crean but not directly. Kay
Kay,
Today you afforded me more knowledge than I had the day before. I am in your debt and my appreciation for you taking the time to answer this is genuine and deep. There really is no way to establish a price and worth when looking at your family and ancestry.
My wife Rose and I have been at this for several years off and on but have made a great deal of progress in 2016 to the present. Rose has made unbelievable progress on my mothers side (Cross) but the issues with the Crean side particularly in Ireland compounds everything.
As you already have an established library and experience we would be interested in paying for your services in the near future. If you have an established rate chart please feel free to email that to me.
Thanks so much.
John Crean
Hi Kay,
Sorry, yet another Tom Crean cousin wannabe. My great great grand father Jerry Crean was from Carrigadav, Aughacasla, near Castlegregory. Born around 1850 or so. Not entirely sure. It’s as far back as we have found our ancestry. Looking to see if he was any connection Hugh Crean, the explorers grand father.
Paul, good to find another Crean. Tom Crean’s grandfather Hugh Crean, of Ballinasare Beg, Annascaul, was originally from Keelballylahive,Castlegregory. There was a Jeremiah Crean also living in Kellballylahive b. around 1821.Registers in Castlegregory don’t go back this far so we cannot prove they were brothers, but more than likely.
You say that your Great Great Grandfather Jeremiah was from Carrigadav – that is another townland not far from Keelballylahive. Could you give me some more information – could you go back through the names and birth dates of your father, grandfather etc etc – any information that you have and I will check this out.
Kay
My great-grandmother Kate O’Donnell is listed on the 1901 census as a neighbor of the Creans in Kilballylahiff: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Kerry/Deelis/Kilballylahiff/
My Griffin side lived near Annascaul before moving east to Gortaleen in the mid-19th century.
I don’t know of any genealogical link to Tom Crean but I suspect his relations would show up in my 23andme DNA relatives.
Hello-
My great great grandfather was Edmond Crean & my great grandmother was Norah “nonie” Crean who lived in Annascaul. Do these names have any connection to Tom Crean?
Thanks,
Jennifer
Jennifer, No I don’t think you are. I have the full history of Tom’s family and his father’s family and there is no ‘Edmond’ amongst them. If you give me an approx date of birth for Edmund, I can look it up and go back from your father, grandfather, great grandfather’s names.
Kay
Hi Kay,
Edmond was born in March 1879. His wife was Ellen Kane or Keane Crean. Edmond’s father is John Crean and his wife was Ellen Spillane Crean, born 1844. Hanora / Nora or Nonie was born 1887. Edmond had a sister Catherine, born 1876, and a brother Thomas born 1871.
In some records Edmond’s name was sometimes listed as Edward, but Nonie’s Birth Cert. lists his name as Edmond Crean.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Jennifer, There is something wrong here. Yes I have found Edmund’s baptism in Castlegregory Parish Church for Edmund Crean, born as you say on 28 March 1879 son of John Crean and Ellen Spillane of Garrywilliam, Civil Parish of Stradbally. But this could not be correct.
Initially I thought that the transcription of his marriage to Ellen Keane on http://www.IrishGenealogy.ie is the inccorect one as he could not have been born in March 1879 and married in May 1879. Then I found the birth of Honora Crean daughter of Edmund Crean and Ellen Keane in 1882 so the marriage date is obviously correct. I would suggest finding his marriage on Civil Registration and checking his parents names from that.
By the way ‘Edmund’ is the Irish version of Edward.
Kay
Thanks Kay for all the information!!
Sorry the dates were a little mixed up…Do you have any advice as to how to go about researching my Crean relatives and their connection to Tom Crean? Do you private searches for people? if so can you email me at the email address I’ve provided? If not, I’ll be in Annascaul in June and wondered if there was a local town hall or someplace to look at records?
Regards,
Jennifer
Hi Kay,
I have found all this information so interesting,thank you.
My grandaunt,Margaret Curran, was married to Daniel Crean ,Tom Creans brother.She came from Minard East in Co Kerry.Just wondering if you have come across any information on them.
Thank you in advance,
Mary
Mary, Yes I have information on Daniel but it would be his ancestors, rather than his descendants. He took over his father’s (Patrick) farm at Gortacurrane. He is listed in the 1911 Census of Ireland as living at home in Gortacurrane aged 37 single, farmer. You would have to check on the Civil Registration http://www.IrishGenealogy.ie for any details of their marriage. Kay
Thank you,Mary.
Mary, thank you for your comment. There is so much interest in this particular blog and in Tom Crean in particular, that I will add extra material on to it in the next few days. I will give the relationships of Tom’s father as it may help other desendants to trace relationships. Kay
Tom Crean is my husband’s grandmother’s great uncle. Her mother was Catherine Crean (born about 1897 in Annascaul). Catherine’s father was Tom Crean’s brother, Hugh. His wife was Johanna. It’s so interesting to read the information you found!
Heidi, thank you for your comment. As you have probably seen from my reply to other blogs, I have a lot of more information on the Crean Famlies from Tom’s grandfather down, and of course I mean to blog on it but time …..! Time just catchs up on me. Kay
My grandmothers name was Hilda Crean and she had two sisters, Bridget and Mary, I know they are related to Tom Crean in some way but would be very interested to find out more information.
Mary, I will certainly look into the relationship for you but I need some more information. I would need to know the name of Hilda’s father & approximately what years the girls were born.
Kay
Fascinating read thak you Kay, I stumbled on this by chance. Tom Crean is my Great Uncle, my mothers Uncle. My mothers name was Theresa Donovan, the daughter of Catherine Crean and Daniel Donovan the policeman you reference.
Delighted to get a comment from a real live descendant. You have no idea how many queries I get from all over the world from people who are named Crean or have Crean ancestors and all want to know if they are related to Tom. I have two of these at the moment from two different continents (USA & New Zealand)- I haven’t had time to get back to them yet but they are not related, they are the Camp Creans so maybe I should put them in touch with each other. Kay
Haha yes indeed! A new deputy head arrived at my son’s school some years ago named Crean. Following a conversation it turned out he too was related to Tom somewhat more distantly, it’s a small world. His son was named Tom……must be an ever growing number of ‘related’ descendants named Tom Crean too!
Hi Kay, is there any link to the Camp Creans? Thanks Tom
Tom, no there is no direct link but I am sure that back a number of generations they were linked. The reason I say that is that they all originated in the same area – Castlegregory Parish and surrounding parishes and they almost all have similar names which is the foundation of the traditional Irish naming pattern, in the Crean’s case – Hugh, Tom, Martin in particular.
I am Australian and descend from Robert Fitzgerald and Johanna Herlihy of Boherbrac, Lispole, Kerry. I have not been able to find any information on where these great-great grandparents were born or married, so seem to have hit the inevitable “brick wall”. Strange that I came across this blog tonight, as I had found a “new” Fitzgerald relative in Kerry only a few days ago, through Ancestry.com DNA. In one of her messages, this lady told me that she had been entertaining family from the USA the previous evening. Apparently this visitor informed my new “cousin” that she believed that our Herlihy’s were related to Tom Crean’s wife, although she was aware of another Herlihy family from Annascaul. I had no idea that Tom Crean was married to a Herlihy. If I had known, I would have called in to the South Pole Inn, rather than just passing it, after visiting my Boherbrack cousins in December, 2015 .. just to see what I could find!
The youngest child, and only daughter of Robert Fitzgerald and Johanna Herlihy was born in August, 1866. Her Baptism took place in Dingle, but I do not as yet have a definitive Birth Certificate. I have found a Death Certificate for a Johanna Herlihy in Annascaul in 1866. I know this could be an absolute coincidence, but I have long thought that Johanna may have been from Annascaul. My gut feeling (sorry!) tells me that Johanna came from Annascaul and went there for the birth of this 8th child, where she died in or soon after childbirth. There is no further mention of Johanna after 1866. Robert died in either 1891 or 1892. He was still alive at the time his son Garrett passed away suddenly in 1891.
I am not looking to be related to Tom Crean for his fame — although I have read the very exciting story of Shackleton and other Antarctic Explorers. But if there is a relationship, it may bring me closer to solving the mystery of my Herlihy family.
Sorry for the long ramble but it would be wonderful if you could shed any light on this family.
Sincere thanks, Elizabeth Fleming (nee Fitzgerald)
Hi,
I am a descendent of Tom Crean the explorer from Ireland. I live in Auckland NZ.
My great grandfather was Patrick Crean.
My grandmothers birth name was Patricia Mary Crean.
Louise, you must be very proud of him. Which of Patrick Crean’s children is your mother descended from?
Hi Kay. So happy to have found your blog. My great grandfather, Hugh (b. 12/1856), left Ireland for America in 1874 or 1880. He came from Keelballylahive in Castlegregory. It appears he had 11 siblings. Jeremiah (b. 1863), Mary, James, Hannah and Ellen came to the United Sates and most settled in Buffalo , NY. Raymond, Dennis, Thomas, Martin, Patrick, and Terrance appear to have stayed in Ireland. Have you come across this line of the family in your search?
Eileen, good to hear from another Crean. I am not sure though that the family you mention are from Keelballylahive. But if you have documented proof that your great grandfather was Hugh b. Keelballylahive at the approximate time you say, then the family below are his. Jeremiah Crean (who married local lady Catherine McCarthy on 10 Feb 1849 was the person who was farming in Keelballylahive at that time. Their children were : Mary (1850), Patrick (1852), John (1854), Michael (1856), Hugh (16 May 1858), Catherine (1860), Cornelius (1861). The second son John, took over the farm from his father Jeremiah. John’s great grandson Ckement is still farming the same land as far as I know.
I am very familiar with ‘Keel’. We had a summer house there for a a number of years built on Crean land.Why don’t you get hold of my book Finding Your Ancestors in Kerry and you will get all the knowledge, help and hints to go and research the family yourself which you will enjoy as well as learn so much.
Eileen,
My name is John Crean and originally from Buffalo, NY. I think your Hugh Crean is my second great Uncle. Jeremiah is my Great Grandfather. Jeremiah’s parents were Martin Crean and Ellen Cronin. Who did your Hugh Crean marry? On my family tree I have Hugh married to Margaret Collins. Are you from the Buffalo area? You can email me directly at jmcrean@aol.com
Dear Eileen,
I am delighted to find a descendant of Hugh Crean of Keelballylahive, son of Jeremiah Crean and Catherine McCarthy and baptized 16 May 1858, who emigrated to the US in 1880 and who married on 12 May 1885 in Holyoke, MA Catherine Dowd (possibly born in Knocknagrogeen, Dingle on 26 Oct 1861). If this Hugh is your ancestor, then his parents & siblings are as Kay Caball has them.
Also this makes you my third cousin – my great-grandfather was your Hugh’s brother Patrick (1852-1924). I am in touch with the descendants of his brother John (1854-1925) who still farm at Keelballylahive.
You are also second cousin twice removed of Tom Crean, the Antarctic explorer. This is because the father of your Hugh, bap 16 May 1858, Jeremiah Crean (1821-1891) was the brother of Tom’s grandfather, Hugh Crean (1805-1893), who lived, married and had children in Keelballylahive but moved about 10 miles south to Ballynasare Beg in the late 1840s. Some of Hugh’s children then moved to next-door Gortacurrane to farm, including Tom Crean’s father, Patrick Crean (b c 1843).
I am particularly glad to hear that Hugh, bap 16 May 1858, has descendants because the research I did into his US-born family showed 12 children born but it seemed only 3 surviving; Mary Ellen (1886-1960), Catherine (1887-1983) and Esther (1893-1978).. Esther married John Brassil in 1924 but I could not find any descendants. I hope you will be able to tell me more.
I can also tell you about the ancestors and descendants of Catherine McCarthy, the mother of your Hugh, bap 16 May 1858. I am pretty sure that she died young (between 1861 and 1864) and that Hugh’s sister Mary (1850-1927) brought up her siblings. The great-grandson of Catherine McCarthy’s brother still farms next door to the present-day Crean’s of Keelballylahive. His name is Jim McCarthy.
I should like to share my Ancestry family tree of these related Crean’s, also McCarthys, with you, if you would like to contact me via email at
jennifer.fitzgerald1111@gmail.com
Unfortunately I will be traveling from 23 April to 20 May with limited email access.
Yours sincerely,
Jennifer FitzGerald
Dear Kay
I came across your research whilst updating our family tree. I noticed a message interchange between Sean Crean (my cousin) and yourself back in Feb 2017 (I will try to contact Sean about this). Billy Crean (bank manager Limerick) was an uncle of ours, Margaret Crean was our paternal grandmother, wife of Diarmuid (b 1886 Annascaul)). I am not aware of Hugh Crean of Spa, father of James Crean (m 1874).
Not sure if you are still researching this but I think there could be a link between Hugh Crean of Keelballylahive, Castlegregory (ie Tom Crean’s paternal grandfather), brother Jeremiah (Diarmuid? b 1821) and my great-great-grandfather Patrick Crean from Castlegregory (b 1827; son Patrick Crean m Joanna Kennedy 17.2.1885).
I would be interested in your views – it seems like they could have been from the same family, as relayed in family conversations over the years. My uncle Paddy (Spa) was aware that Diarmuid’s father was a first cousin of Tom Crean’s father. Therefore, it makes sense if Hugh, Jeremiah (ie Diarmuid as Irish names were translated to an English equivalent) and Patrick were brothers.
I have compiled a fair bit of information from family sources, parish records, census records and online research. I have included a link to the url where it is stored (pw – Crean).
Look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Dermot
Dermot, you are correct. Basically yes it is believed and apparently Tom Crean himself (b. 1877 and Diarmuid Cream b. 1886, when both were later living in Aunascaul, ‘took their relationship as given’. The problem is that there are no early enough records in Castlegregory Parish to prove this – both their grandparents originally came over the mountain from Keelballylahive (Castlegregory). I will email you privately with the sum of the records.
I could find no relationship between Hugh Crean, The Spa, father of James Crean b. 1874 but with a name like ‘Hugh’ and Crean there must be some connection and you would have to ask yourself why the Aunascaul Creans eventually settled in the same Spa?
Hi. I am first cousin of Dermot and Seán who are on this comment roll. I am Bill Crean’s son. While all the info you need probably came from Dermot, the one interesting bit is about the South Pole Inn. That was originally owned by our Grandfather and subsequently Tom (I do not know if it was sold or gifted). Grandad left the peninsula to take up the job as Chief Clerk of the Courts in Tralee which paid well by comparison to the role of Pub Landlord. Our Grandmother (second wife as first died from TB) was a teacher locally. The SPA lodge was originally rented and later purchased. It’s a fantastic building on prime land overlooking the sea. While our Grandad was a civil Servant as a Clerk in Tralee Post office and later a senior official in Africa, he was also a founder of two brigades in Tralee and became Secretary of the IRB in Kerry. It’s an amazing family history of people who put their lives at risk out of a sense of duty. There was obviously a mind set that they had to have such an impact. You will know that we had a Hugh in our family (my uncle RIP) which was probably an uncommon name, my guess is he was named after another Hugh within the family circle, but that is just a guess. Cheers. Alan
Alan, thank you for this information. I am replying to you privately with a few questions of my own.
Hello – I’m doing some research for a friend whose father told him that Tom Crean was his (the father’s) great uncle. I’ve traced the family back (via Birmingham, Dublin, Co. Mayo) to a Patrick Crean born c.1837 in Co. Kerry. His father, according to his marriage registration, was a farmer called John Crean. This was as far as I had got until today when I found an entry in the records of the Royal Irish Constabulary which, as well as confirming that he came from Kerry and was 21 in 1858, named the man who had recommended him to the RIC as Rev J Brunskill. And after a bit of delving I discovered that Rev John Brunskill was vicar of St Brendan, Killiney nr Castlegregory in 1858. So now I’m starting to think there may possibly be a family connection- albeit a little bit further removed than great uncle!
There is a record for a Patrick Creane of Garrywilliam, son of John Creane & Anne Sullivan in Castlegregory born 16th March 1837. Baptism sponsors Maurice Spillane & Catherine Cournane KY-RC-BA-116988
Baptism records show 4 other children of this marriage: John (1831), Edmund (1840), Mary (1843) & Thomas (1846).
I now feel a little stuck! Hence I’ve been having a look here to see if I can see any connections that would help me join the dots. If the Creans I’m researching are the ones from Garrywilliam are they related to the Creans of Castlegregory/Annascaul? Could John Crean be Hugh Crean’s brother? I’m not sure in the absence of earlier baptism records from Castlegregory where I should look for any evidence? Maybe probate records?
Any pointers in the right direction would be appreciated. Liz
Hullo Kay My great grandfather Daniel Crean was born in County Kerry in 1837, parents John Crean (farmer) and Catherine Flynn. Daniel migrated to Australia in the 1860s and settled in Terang, Victoria in about 1870. He died in an accident in 1890, leaving six children. He didn’t marry till he was 41. As many others have done my family has often wondered if there is a connection with Tom Crean. Some of us have been to the South Pole Inn in the past few years. We always thought Daniel had a connection with the Tralee area. I don’t know the birth dates for his parents or if he had siblings. It would be great to learn more. Thank you Jan
Jan, there is no extant baptism in Kerry Church record for any family of a John Crean and Catherine Flynn. It could be that they lived in a parish that does not have early records. However, all is not lost – I will send you separately our Query Form which has targeted questions that may enable us to identify the correct family. Sometimes land records can throw up a clue.
Hello,
I am researching my mother’s connection to Thomas Crean. Her great-grandfather was Martin Crean, who was born and raised in the village of Annascoul on the Dingle Peninsula on the Ring of Kerry in Ireland. I believe Martin Crean was a cousin to Thomas Crean, but I am trying to establish the relationship. We would so appreciate your help!
Julie, oI will send you a genealogical Query Form to fill in and return. There are many Crean families in the general Annascaul/Castlegregory area and I get many queries regarding possible relationships. so we would need some more information – dates and names etc.
Hello I was wondering if I could get some assistance.
I recently found out I’m related to the Creans of Castle Gregory.
It’s a project I’ve taken on on behalf of my mam.
I don’t want to ruffle feathers as its a sticky enough situation but I was looking for some help to identify current living relatives. Such my mams cousins etc. I will leave my email as a contact but would really appreciate any assistance.
Grainne, I am sorry that I would no be able to assist you here. Due to GDPR data protection laws we are not allowed to research any living people.
We met Tom Crean’s granddaughter Mary O’Brian on holiday in Rhodes three years ago and told the stories of his bravery with Scott and Shackleton, a truly wonderful man.
Thank you very much, Kay, for your willingness to provide such an amazing wealth of information regarding the Crean family to so many people seeking answers.
I understand that there may be many different Crean lines hailing from the vicinity of Annascaul.
I am wondering if you might have any information regarding Richard Crean who was married to Margaret Griffin in the 1830’s.
Is there any chance that Richard could have been a relative of Patrick or Hugh Crean? It is noted on the Irishgenealogy.ie website under the church registers that Richard and Margaret had a daughter, Margaret Crean, who was baptized 13 January 1839 in the Parish Church of Annascaul.
It is also noted that later Margaret Crean married Daniel Shea on 9 February 1857 in the same Parish Church and had several children who were recorded as being baptized in the church.
One son, Cornelius Shea, was recorded as being baptized in the Parish Church in Annascaul on October 1, 1881. The witness was Edmund Crean.
I really appreciate you devotion to this blog and your knowledge about the Crean Family and the Annascaul/ Kerry region.
Thank you very much for your time and willingness to help with research.
Hello! I’m happy to have found your website. I’m a Crean, and I’ve traced my family line to Glynn, Mourneabbey Parish, Co Cork, back to 1810.
Of course the Tom Crean story caught my attention when the first movie came out; I wonder, since Co Kerry and Co Cork are next to each other, whether I’m related to Tom Crean of Annascaul. But actually the towns are not very close together. So my question to you is: do you know of any potential connection – an ancestory of Tom’s coming from or going to Co Cork?
My Co Cork info: James Crean (b. 1810) & Catherine Wallace, had children Jeremiah, Cornelius, and Edmond. Jeremiah emigated to the US but Cornelius stayed on the family farm.
thanks!
Bill, on the information that we have, it does not look like your family are closely related to Tom Crean’s family (in Aunascaul and Castlegregory). However your family had some of the family names in many Crean families – Cornelius, William (Bill). It would appear to me more likely that you may be ‘connected’ to the Crean branch of families in Tralee, again with similar names. However, unless you have earlier information on your James Crean b. 1810, it is not possible to get much informaiton prior to that time.