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Indianapolis News 30Oct1896,Irish American Weekly | USA | |
Michael Shea, my great great grandfather, according to an interview published in the Indianapolis News for Saturday, April 16, 1898, was born "near Caherciveen" on 26 September 1781. According to his obituary, which appeared in several newspapers, he was born on St. Michael's Day, 1781. According to the History of the Catholic Church in Indiana, in an article about his son Thomas Shea, Michael was born about 6 miles from the birthplace of Daniel O'Connell (Carhan) with whom Michael became acquainted. Micheal was a blacksmith. According to accounts published in the U.S. he travelled around Ireland for several years before settling down. He married in his 50's Johanna Tehan with whom he had sons Thomas and James (both became blacksmiths) and daughters Mary (married to a Tehan) and Julia (married to Cornelius O'Grady.) All of Michael's children emigrated to the U.S., settling in Ohio and Indianapolis where Michael ended up as well after his wife Johanna died in about 1854. Michael had two sisters, Stacy Shea, born about 1795 and Hanora Shea, born about 1800, both of whom emigrated to Ohio. Michael's daughters joined their aunts in Ohio.
In an article in The Indianapolis News for Friday, 30 October 1896, entitlled "A voter 115 years old" Michael claims to have in his possession an authenticated copy of the register of his birth" that shows he was born September 29, 1781 "just 6 miles from the place where Daniel O'Connell was born.,,," In the article Michael is reported to have told the reporter that "my father lived to be a 104 years old and my great grandfather was 114 years old when he died."
According to a recent communication Griffiths' Valuations places a Michael Shea in the Townland of Breahig, Loughcurrane, Dromod Parish from "at least the early 1830s - 1850s." In connection with Michael's listing there is a reference to "a Smith and his forge." (Michael was a blacksmith.) The Griffiths timing appears consistent with what is known about Michael: He married at 54 which would put him at Breahig in 1835, the year of the birth of his first child, Thomas Shea (born "near Waterville" per the History of the Catholic Church in Indiana (1899.) Michael married a Tehan (Teahan) of which there were several in Breahig.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Sep 1781 | VIEW SOURCE |
| Date of Death | 2nd Mar 1899 | |
Hi,
I am researching a Michael Shea (O'Shea) from Co Kerry from this time who also had a connection with Daniel O'Connell. My previous message to you (here) appears to have dissapeared.
I would be happy to swap info via email. It may be that your Michael Shea was my GG Grandfather's uncle. If so that would unlock a significant brick wall! I have a news article which discusses this lineage.
Kind Regards
Catherine Connor
Dear Catherine,
I just now noted your message.
I guess I need to look at the Dromod-related site on Ireland Reaching Out to learn of messages (which I haven't done.)
I haven't seen your original post---and I can't access from your message.
I would be happy to swap info on the Dromod Sheas.
My great-great grandfather on my mother's side was Thomas Shea, son of Michael (who claimed to be 117 when he died.) According to the History of the Catholic Church in Indiana, Michael married rather late in life. His wife, Johanna Tehan died in her 50s, apparently. Michael eventually followed his sisters to the U.S. (as did his sons James and Thomas).
I look forward to hearing from you.
Cordially,
Don Humphreys
Hello again, not sure if my long reply has appeared? Anyhow here is my ancestry link to my tree, you may be able to see my shared DNA matches and see if anything pops up.
https://www.ancestry.com.au/family-tree/pt/RSVP.aspx?dat=NzY4NzY3OTU7Oz…;
My gedmatch is NX2040102
Cheers Cath
It looks as though my detailed reply didn’t publish- not sure why. I’ll try again some other time. Cath
Here is an article re the Connors and reference to Michael O'Shea and Daniel O'Connell
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/115588550
Michael Connor (1828-1888) https://irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/history-and-genealogy/ancestor-databas…
Ca
Hi Don,
Here is my earlier reply:
If you have had your DNA tested through Ancestry ( and have an account) then it’s a small possibility that I might show up in your ”shared matches”.
Otherwise please see the news article attached regarding Michael Connor (1828-1888) on the Kerry County section of ancestors. The article states that “Mick” the great grandfather of the young boys in the article learned pipes from his Uncle Michael O’Shea ( who played for Daniel O’Connell in his leisure.
Another distantly (DNA) linked relative ( Name if Sullivan) suggested that the area we were looking at -where our ancestors appear to collide was indeed quite near Daniel O’Connell’s residence.
I guess the interesting appeal for us ( cousins and me who are researching ) is to discover the family and place - where our ancestors resided and something of their lives .. As apart from being certain of Killarney/ Killorglin we know really nothing else.
Catherine Connor
Hi again.
I sent you a note via Ancestry.com.
You do show up as distant (5th or 6th cousin) via small DNA matches.
I will check GEDmatch.
My Gedmatch No. is M451336
Cheers,
Don
P.S. I live in Marin Co., California. Was an employee of The Broken Hill Proprietary Co. for several years (retired in 1999.)
Believe your Michael Shea may have come from or at least lived in Breahig, Louchcurrane, Dromod outside of Waterville from at least early 1830s - 1850s. Michael Shea (a Smith and his forge... and several Teahan families) listed in valuation records for Breahig under landlord Stoughton. He appears to disappear after 1860s. Hope this helps.
Hi Brendan.
Many thanks for this information.
I had a brief search of Griffith's Valuations of my gggrandfather Michael Shea done and it turned up nothing.
The information you is consistent with my understanding and adds details.
From published sources here (U.S.) Michael Shea was born near the birthplace of Daniel O'Connell a few years later.
Michael was a blacksmith and according to accounts travelled around Ireland before settling down and marrying a Tehan when Michael was about 54 years old.
His son Thomas Shea (my great grandfather on my mother's side) was born Dec. 23, 1835 "near Waterville." So perhaps the Breahig site (forge, residence?) was Thomas's birthplace.
It is clear that Thomas, his brother James and Michael Shea (as well as Michael's daughters and apparently sisters) emigrated to the U.S. int the the 1860s so that explains the lack of evidence of Michael after the early 1860s.
Is there a way to pin down his Breahig residence?
Regards.
Don Humphreys
