McKelvey

Don, McKelvey Grove Presbyterian church is in the area of Tullnatrot, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. Subscription site www.rootsireland.ie has a number of McKelvey families in Ballybay. Alexander McKelvey is shown for Elizabeth McKelvey as early as 1803. No "James" found. Regards,

Don,

Marriage here for James Mc Kelvey & Eliza Dunshee in 1848. Marriage in Muckno Church of Ireland. Tradition was to marry in the bride’s church, so that’s possibly where you may find her baptism etc. Their records start in 1810. Copy in PRONI in Belfast and some years may also be on rootsireland.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_re…

James was a farmer in Loughbratty (Loughbrattoge). Father named as Alexander, also a farmer.

Griffiths Valuation lists Alexander McKelvey on plot 1 in Loughbrattoge, a 36 acre farm. The local Presbyterian church is immediately beside the farm. It still looks to be a working farm today. It’s right on the border with Co Armagh. 1 McKelvey still farming there in 1901:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Monaghan/Mullyash/Loug…

She had gone by the 1911 census. (She died in 1903):

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…

She was married to David who died in 1890:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…

I don't think they had any children. David’s will in on-line on the PRONI wills site. He left a life interest in the farm to his wife Isabella after which it was to pass to his nephew William McCreevy in Manitoba and then to William's son David John. The will mentions having lands in Tullintrot and Corbyfin as well at Loughbratty.

I suspect this William McKelvey of Ballybay may be another son of Alexander McKelvey:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_re…

He looks to have died in 1885: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…

Many Presbyterian churches don’t have graveyards and it doesn’t appear to me that the one in Loughbrattoge has one. So local Church of Ireland graveyards would be the obvious place to look instead. They are open to all denominations.

There’s a death registered in the Castleblaney area in 1865 for Alexander McKelvey aged 87. Likewise for an Elizabeth McKelvey in 1869 aged 88. You might want to pay to view those to see if either is your family. You can order a research copy (photocopy) of the civil certificate from GRO Roscommon for €5 (euros) each.

https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Apply-for-Certificates.aspx

You can e-mail your order to them and they will e-mail the certificate back to you.

Will abstracts (taken from the PRONI wills site):

The Will of David M'Kelvey late of Loughbratty County Monaghan Farmer who died 13 October 1890 at same place was proved at Armagh by Mathew M'Auley Rutherford of Ballibay and Samuel Hannah of Drollagh both in said County Farmers the Executors.

 

The Will (with one Codicil) of William M'Kelvey late of Ballibay County Monaghan Shopkeeper who died 27 July 1885 at same place was proved at Armagh by David M'Kelvey of Loughbratty Farmer and Thomas Armstrong of Ballibay Merchant both in said County two of the Executors.

 

Letters of Administration of the personal estate of Margaret M'Kelvey late of Ballibay County Monaghan Widow who died 27 February 1886 at same place were granted at Armagh to Letitia Beatty of Cremague in said County Widow a Sister.

 

William McKelvey’s will explains that David is his brother and Elizabeth in Canada married to McCreevy is his sister. Various other relatives are detailed. You may find that helpful to fill gaps in your knowledge. The will is on the PRONI site.

The Presbyterian Historical Society in Belfast almost certainly holds copies of McKelvey’s Grove church records.

http://www.presbyterianhistoryireland.com

The current Minister of Tartaraghan Presbyterian church in Portadown, Co. Armagh is a Rev McKelvey. I have no idea if there is any family connection. There have been a number of Rev McKelveys in the Presbyterian church. It may just be a common surname.