Connell Family of Castlejordan R.C. Parish

Hi Dan, just had a quick look at your query as I live on the Meath border, however it is about as far as you can get from your place, the diocese of Meath spreads into County Offaly, appears your places spans both counties. However I see someone has written a book on the place, see https://www.offalyhistory.com/shop/books/ballinabrackey-parish-history-ballinabrackey-castlejordan-and-ballyboggan cost in dollars is less than 15 but postage is probably more. The actual website appears far more professional than the norm for a local history site.

You could also write to the Offaly library to see what they have or possibly browse their catalogue online.https://www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Libraries/ you can also look at the Meath library service.

I am not aware of a local volunteer but will mail the volunteer coordinator to confirm, I live over 50 miles away. The area is still fairly rural once you get of the main roads.

Enjoy your visit,

Regards

Pat

Dear Pat and Dan:

Many thanks, Pat for your assistance.  Dan, I will ask a few of our County Meath volunteers to look at your query and you should expect to hear from them via this thread.  

If you have any further questions, please let me know.  You can email me directly at:  jhalloranryan@irelandxo.com

Kind regards,

Jane

Hello Jane and Pat!

Thank you for your help. During my research this past Friday, I found a Richard Connell living in Killaskillen Townland, Ballyboggan Civil Parish in Griffith's Valuation. Though my Margaret would have left with her parents James and Mary (Malone) Connell, she had a brother named Richard so perhaps the one in Killaskillen is an uncle. The start of the Castlejordan Parish Register at NLI.ie has this title written at the front of the book: "United Parishes of Castlejordan & Ballyboggan". Killaskillen is about 3 1/2 km from Kinnegad, if that helps.

I also noted at johngrenham.com that the transcripts for the parish registers are at the Westmeath Heritage Centre in Moate. I want to spend a day on the ground in the Castlejordan/Ballyboggan area but as far as research goes, I'm not which of the Meath County Library in Navan, the Meath Heritage Centre in Trim, the Westmeath County Library in Mullingar, or the Westmeath Heritage Centre in Moate I should plan on spending time at to access any extant records (poor law or estate, for example) beyond the R.C. parish registers. (Not to mention resources in Offaly and/or Kildare).

Besides a day exploring the Castlejordan area, I have two days set aside for research in any of the above places and would love your thoughts on how to best use those two days. I'll also be spending a day at the National Archives, two at the National Library/Valuation Office and a day at the Representative Church Body Library in Dublin.

Kind regards,

Dan

Dear Dan:

Thanks for your reply and yes, you are absolutely correct at spending some time at the Navan Library Branch which houses the local history section, and the librarian, Tom French, who will be able to assist you.  In the meantime, I have made another enquiry as to a local person, and if I hear back, I will let you know via this thread.

Kind regards,

Jane

Jane,

Thank you so much for your reply! I'm in the planning stages and learning where to focus my time is so helpful :)

Here's what I'm pencilling in as a possible schedule:

Sunday - Arrive Athlone: I've scheduled one day and two nights in Athlone, Westmeath because I believe my 3rd great grandfather, Keiran Fallon, was baptised there at St. Mary's Church in 1829. He marries Margaret Connell (above) near Boston, USA. I know less about him though.

Monday - There is the Dún Na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park in nearby Moate which I was interested in visiting because I think it will help me understand the lives of my Irish ancestors better. The Westmeath Genealogy Centre is also there though I'm uncertain as to whether or not they have records I couldn't find elsewhere. I think I'll email them. I'm also interested in Clonmacnoise for the incredible history there. Plus St. Ciaran is likely where the Kieran name came from?

Tuesday - After that, I'm considering going to Mullingar the next day to spend time at the Westmeath County Library and to stop by the Taghmon Parish area where James Connell and Margaret Malone married in 1828.

Wednesday - The next day can be spent in Navan at the Meath County Library. I'll reach out to Tom French for guidance and how to take advantage of my time there. On the way from Navan to Kinnegad, I'm interested in stopping by Trim to see the castle there.

Thursday - Then we can travel to Kinnegad to spend a day exploring the Ballyboggan/Castlejordan area. This day will be less about research and more about some time in the countryside.

I know this a full schedule but I have limited time and want to get as much in as I can. One possible wrench in the schedule is that I'm interested in finding the Landsdowne estate papers that relate to Ballyboggan and Killaskillen Townland. My guess is that they would be at the National Library of Ireland but I haven't found them on http://sources.nli.ie.

I don't know if I'm "biting off more than I can chew" so I welcome the thoughts anyone at Ireland XO has.

Again, thank you Jane and others. I'm extremely excited to be visiting the homeland of my Irish ancestors.

Kindest regards,

Dan

Dear Dan:

If you are intending on visiting Clonmacnoise, you should definitely go to the visitor centre there.  There are very helpful guides and if you mention your genealogy relates to that area, they will be able to assist you further.

In Mullingar, the local librarian there, Gretta O'Connell is a great source for contact and either herself or another staff member will be able to assist you with any Mullingar queries.  

If you need any further information, please let me know.

All the best,

Jane

Thank you Jane :)

I'm reaching out to Gretta O'Connell and to Tom French today.

I did mis-state something earlier. Richard Connell is listed in Killaskillen Townland in the Tithe Applotment, not Griffith's Valuation. I'm afraid my people are likely gone by the time of the valuation.

Kind regards,

Dan

Dan, I'm coming across this and wondering if you went to Ireland? I would love to connect because I'm a descendent of Richard Connell chr. 1835 (Margaret's brother). I live in the Western US now and just found Richard's baptism record and James and Mary's marriage record and was thrilled! Hope to hear from you if possible!

Hi Colleen, 

Would that be Richard, the ship's captain who rescued 17 men off his schooner during a violent storm near Grand Haven in 1855? :)  I was able to go and it was a wonderful trip and I love to converse. Please send me an email at: poffenbergerds@familysearch.org.

Kindest regards,

Dan

Yes!! Awesome I emailed you! -Colleen