Our best information about our O'Keefe immigrant ancestor is as follows:
EDWARD (NED) O'KEEFE Immigrated from Tipperary County (?), Ireland, in the 1840s or early 1850s with sister CATHERINE JANE into port of New Orleans. Ned apparently tried out different spellings for his last name: Keith, Keiffe, Keef and Keefe. His son, JEREMIAH JOSEPH I restored the Irish O' before Keefe.
Rather than seeking hostel or gardening jobs in New Orleans, like many other Irish immigrants did, Ned moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He settled in Ocean Springs and his sister apparently joined him in Mississippi. In 1858, she married James Valentine Lee of Woolmarket, a mariner with English blood.
There is some family lore that Ned initially established a charcoal-making business. It is documented that he established a livery and undertaking business in Ocean Springs. The original livery stable [extant photo of the livery stable bears a sign saying established in 1865] still stands on Porter Avenue.
The first official records on Ned appear in February 1859 when he purchased property on the northeast corner of Porter Street and Rayborn Avenue in Ocean Springs. That was also the year he married fellow Irish immigrant, MARY TRACY, who was 17 years younger.
The 1860 census-taker listed Ned as a laborer with $500 worth of property, nothing that he had recently been married and had a new son, "J. Keith" or Jeremiah. An ELLEN TRACY, likely Mary's sister, was also named with the family.
RC Parish records at the time of his death indicate he came from 'Prary County (probably Tipperary?) and 'Bincher' (possibly Binsha Parish?)
Any info about Edward, Catherine Jane and/or Mary or Ellen Tracy would be appreciated. I believe an immigrant named ROONEY also lived with them for awhile.
Maureen Ward
Monday 14th Jan 2013, 05:23PMMessage Board Replies
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Hi,
Thank you for your message.
Bansha parish does seem to be the closest possibility for ?Bincher? in Tipperary. Perhaps you could try looking into the parish records to see if you can find his birth record to confirm this?
Most Catholic records are held locally. One website which may be useful is the Irish times where they give an overview of what records are available in specific parishes. For Bansha parish follow this link:
You could try writing to the parish priest for possible assistance.
You could also search for Edward in the land records pertaining to Ireland in the 19th century. Although these do not offer any genealogical information, they can sometimes be used to tie a person to a specific place. There are two:
The Tithe Applotment Books (1823-1838) found at http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp
and Griffith?s valuation (1848-1864) found at http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/
Another good database is www.familysearch.org . This is a huge database of genealogical records compiled by the Church of the Latter Day Saints. If you can find any family members in this it may give you a parish name.
Do you know much about Alexander?s emigration? Generally more information was given at the port of arrival rather than that of departure, so you may find more information here-and maybe even confirmation of his place of origin. For Canadian immigration records check the National Library and Archives at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/index-e.html
Some other websites which you may find useful are:
The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/
The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx
The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm
Genealogy links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/tipperary/index.html
Perhaps you could also try contacting the South Tipperary Heritage centre for assistance. However, a fee may apply. Here are their contact details:
Bru Boru Cultural Centre,
Rock of Cashel,
Cashel,
Co. Tipperary.
Phone: +353(0) 62 61122 Email: eolas@bruboru.ie
I hope that this is helpful. Best of luck with your research.
Kind regards,
Genealogy Support
Wednesday 13th Mar 2013, 10:26AM