Sullivan's of Coolbane??

Sister Act:

Welcome back to Ireland Reaching Out!

We really need to know the parents names for Michael and Mary in order to try to identify where they came from in Cork. There are too many Michael Sullivan and Mary Sullivan records to determine where they came from. Thanks!

Roger McDonnell

Hi Roger,

My grandfather, Michael, came from Timoleague.  His parents were John Sullivan and Ellen Fitzgerald (from Macroom). 

I am unable to find his brother, Timothy, listed among his siblings in the records from Timoleague; according to US census records Timothy was born in 1869 and emigrated to US in 1893.

It's more difficult for my grandmother, Mary. We always believed she was from Ardfield or Middle Mountain, but I visited there in May 2016 and could not find any link to my grandmother. My cousin found records relating three sisters, Mary, Kate, and Nellie, (all fitting my grandmother's family) with Mary born in Milford in 1873, Kate born in Coolbane in 1878, and Helena born in Cork in 1875.  The parents are listed as John Sullivan and Bridget Forrest. 

When my grandmother died in 1954, my grandfather indicated on her death certificate that her parents were John Sullivan and Bridget Sullivan so this matches BUT he gave her DOB as March 25, 1871.  

It's been a real challenge with such common names and without census records to put siblings together to better identify the correct family.  Any help is appreciated.

Sister Act:

www.irishgenealogy.ie  has the June 1859 marriage for John and Ellen and four children: Mary 1861 John 1865 Michael 1870 Jeremiah 1874. but no Timothy. I assume you have already scanned the parish register  http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0097

I searched for any records with a Bridget Forrest and got no records.

Roger

Thanks, Roger.  Yes, I have June 18, 1859 as the marriage of John Sullivan and Ellen Fitzgerald.  I feel pretty confident of their identity since they have the exact birthday for my grandfather, Michael, Oct. 25 1870.  I am wondering if Timothy was a middle name??  I knew my uncle Tim so I know he exists!  Just strange that I'm unable to find any records for him.  I have information in the US census for Timothy and Kate (he married my grandmother's sister).  Just can't find his "roots" in Ireland.

On my grandmother's death certificate, my grandfather listed her parents as John Sullivan and Bridget Sullivan.  The name Bridget Forrest came from my cousin who searched for three daughters Mary, Kate, and Ellen (Nell) born in the 1860's-1870's in the Cork area.  He had Mary's DOB as June 1. 1873 in Milford, Cork, Helena DOB Jan 1, 1875i in Coolbane, and Kate DOB May 2, 1878 in Freemount.  I don't know if thhis is accurate or not.  I wish I could find immigration records as I all three young girls emigrated to the US and settled in Chicago, IL.

Don't know if this is of any help.  The only other record that matched (according to my cousin) was John Sullivan married to Bridget Murphy with Mary's DOB 1867, Ellen in 1876, and Kate in 1879.  All listed in Kerry/Cork.

Hi sisteract...Mary Sullivan daughter of Bridget Forrest are on my tree. You can find the family at Knocknaeglass East in the 1901 & 1911 census. Bridget's father was Joseph Forrest of Coolbane.

Cheers Trishh

Thanks, Trish. I have since employed the services of Michael O’Mahony 

in Clonakilty and he was able to establish that both of my grandparents were from Clonakilty .

Thank you to everyone who tried to unravel this ancestry, your efforts are appreciated.