I AM LOOKING FOR HELP IN FINDING INFORMATION ABOUT MY ANCESTORS THAT WERE FROM FERMANAGH. THE PERSON I HAVE THE MOST INFORMATION ON IS SAMUEL J KEYES, BORN OCTOBER 14, 1832 IN DRUMBULKIN. HE IMMIGRATED TO AMERICA DURING THE POTATO FAMINE. I BELIEVE THAT HIS FATHER WAS THOMAS KEYES, BORN 1786-1788 IN MAGHERACULMONEY AND DIED MARCH 25, 1850 IN MULLAGHMORE. HIS MOTHER WAS MABEL JOHNSTON OR COCHRAN, BORN 1802-1805 IN DRUMKEERAN. SHE ALSO IMMIGRATED TO AMERICA. THOMAS' FATHER WAS POSSIBLY WILLIAM KEYS, BORN AROUND 1770 IN DRUMKEERAN AND DIED MARCH 27, 1818. HE WAS POSSIBLY MARRIED TO MARY GOUGE, BORN AROUND 1767 IN DRUMKEERAN AND DIED AFTER 1821. WILLIAM'S FATHER WAS POSSIBLY DENNIS BORN AROUND 1745 POSSIBLY MARRIED TO MARY.
ANY INFORMATION YOU MIGHT FIND WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE VISITING IRELAND IN JUNE AND I AM HOPEFUL TO VISIT THE AREA WHERE MY ANCESTORS CAME FROM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ANY HELP YOU MAY LEND.
SINCERELY,
LESLE WILLIAMS
Tuesday 4th Apr 2023, 11:12PM
Message Board Replies
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The 1835 tithes for the townland of Drumbulcan (standardized spelling) in the parish of Derryvullan list 2 Thomas Keys (senior & jr) who were almost certainly farmers:
http://www.irishgenealogyhub.com/fermanagh/tithe-applotment-books/parish-of-derryvullan.php
Griffiths Valuation (1862) lists 10 Keys households in Drumbulcan, nearly all farmers.
https://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/
One of the Thomas’s died in 1890 aged 80:
Another (a bachelor) died in 1879 aged 70:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…
Isabella Keys (farmers widow) died in 1895:
Mary Keys (farmers widow) died in 1894:
The Church of Ireland baptism records contains several Keys births around the time you are interested in but none to a mother named Mabel. That said, some were illegible:
https://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/fermanagh/churches/derryvullan-birth.htm
A Mable Johnston married Robert Swanston in 1812:
https://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/fermanagh/churches/derryvullan-mar.htm
No sign of Thomas Keys death in 1850:
https://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/fermanagh/churches/derryvullan-burials.htm
William Keys death in 1818 is listed, but without an age. Buried Lisnarrick.
6 Keys households in Drumbulcan in the 1901 census (30 folk in all) all engaged in farming and all Church of Ireland:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Fermanagh/Milltown/Drumbulcan/
Various Keys in the Freeholders List for Dumbulkin in 1796 (meaning they had enough land to qualify for a vote):
https://apps.proni.gov.uk/eCatNI_IE/ResultDetails.aspx
1766 Religious census lists Hugh, Thomas & William in Drumbulcan (all Protestant). Source PRONI names index.
Drumbulkin Keys marriage in 1865:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_re…
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Wednesday 5th Apr 2023, 12:32AM -
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.
ANY IDEA ON WHERE WILLIAM KEYS IS BURIED IN LISNARRICK?
Thursday 6th Apr 2023, 03:58PM -
According to the UHF website, Lisnarick graveyard is in Drumshane townland OS ref H197586. Can't help with the location of his grave. There are unlikely to be any graveyard plans. You'll just have to hope he had a gravestone and it's still legible.
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Thursday 6th Apr 2023, 05:59PM