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I am seeking information on my Neilan/ Killeen ancestors from the Miltown Malbay and Boyle ( roscommon) areas.

Francis Neilan was born 1838 Baptism Date 25 Nov 1838 Baptism Place Milltownmalbay, Clare, Ireland   Kilfarboy Diocese Killaloe Father In Neilan ? John Neilan Mother Helen Killeen

He emigrated to Melbourne Aust ( Francis Neylon) on the Shalimar in Nov 1857 with a John Neylon, According to some of his records his father was John Neylon stonemason and mother Ellen Killeen- which matches the birth record above. He continually changed his name in Aust between Francsi Neylon and Francis Neylon O'Brien ( O' Brian). He had a daughter with Mary Keith (who died soon after the birth) and his daughter also used the name Nailen and O'Brien.( She was my ggrandmother)

Francis was a very colourful character in Aust- he made several attempts to get into parliament in the Newcastle district and was reported in the papers as quite an orator. He fought for the rights of the miners but alcohol seems to have been a problem for him. I have not found his death certificate yet.

I found some records  in Ireland - Miltown malbay for Helen 1833, Anne 1840, Nacy 1841, Patrick 1843 - children of John Neilan and Helen Killeen. Ann married Patrick Durr in 1867 in Biyle Roscommon.

I have been unable to work out whether John and Ellen remained in Ireland or emigrated at a later date.

I found a baptism in 1805 in Boyle for a Johannis Neilan.

I would appreciate any help anyone can give me on the family in Kilfarboy.

Thanks

Joy

Joyhen

Thursday 25th Jul 2019, 11:18AM

Message Board Replies

  • Dear Joy:

    Welcome to the Ireland Reaching Out message board.

    I would recommend that you create an Ancestor Profile for Francis Neilan on the XO Chronicles feature.  He sounds like he would make a great profile story for our readers and it is quite possible that others may be researching this same family and can offer further information.  The link is below:

    https://irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/history-and-genealogy/ancestor-database

    I would also recommend that you take a look at the Clare Library website as there has been a lot of transcription work done on parish registers and these are not only available to view but also to download.  The link to Miltown Malbay (Kilfarboy civil parish) is here:  http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/places/kilfarboy.htm

    If you need any further assistance or have other questions, please let us know.

    Kind regards,

    Jane

    Jane Halloran Ryan

    Friday 26th Jul 2019, 11:03AM
  • Thank you very much Jane. I have been looking at the baptisms-- they give a few results for children of John Neilan and Ellen Killeen.

    Anne Neilan 4 Oct 1840, Patrick 8 July 1843, Mary june 1847, John Feb 1849 - maybe as name spelt Neylon this time

    Ancestry also gives a  Helen in 1833 but just says Helen Neilan and John Neilan- so not sure of this child.

    Also a James Marinan and Eliza Houlihan were sponsers for Mary and John and Bridget Carrol for John.- I am a DNA match to some Marinans but can't find the connection yet...

    I will do a profile for Francis and post it as he is a very interesting character. 

    Thanks again for your prompt reply

    Joy

    PS- are there any early school records ie 1840s - 1870s?

    Joyhen

    Saturday 27th Jul 2019, 12:49PM

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