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I am trying to learn as much as possible about my Irish ancestors ahead of a trip we (sister, husband, possibly other cousins and I) are planning to take to Ireland in the next year or so.

My 3G grandfather Neil Kelly was born in Clonmany, Donegal about 1799. He came to upstate NY via Scotland. Documentation I have on him is that he married his first wife, Mary Dauherty (spelling as it is on the marriage record), on 7 May 1830 in Scotland. It is difficult to decipher the place name on the record but I believe it says they were both born in Clonmany. They had a son Charles born about 1831 in Scotland and Mary also died in 1831. Neil married second, Sarah McGill, 10 May 1833 also in Scotland. His birthplace of Clonmany, Donegal is clearer on this record however I am not 100% sure of Sarah's birthplace. It is definitely Donegal, I think maybe Drumholm. Sarah is my 3G grandmother. Their children Neil, Eunice "Unity" and Bertha/Briget were born in Scotland. They immigrated to the US in 1846 and arrived in NY on 19 Sep aboard the ship Pacific. My 2G grandmother Mary Kelly was then born in Penn Yan, Yates County, NY in 1852. Neil became a naturalized US citizen on 21 Oct 1852. He passed away Jan 1880. Sarah died 4 Jun 1886.

I don't know anything about Neil's parents or any potential siblings. I have done an Ancestry DNA test and have Donegal/Inishowen as a community. Some surnames I have seen in my matches' trees that also say they are from Clonmany include Devlin, Doherty, Gill, McLaughlin, Clafferty, McGonagle, Lynch, Ruddy, Conaghan, and Harkin. I think some of my matches still live in the area. I am content to know that Neil came from Clonmany and would like to visit the area. Anything I can learn about more of the family would be terrific. I know much more about his branch of the family than I do about my other ancestors who originated in Munster.

Thanks!

Beth

BethW

Wednesday 9th Aug 2023, 04:57PM

Message Board Replies

  • Beth:

    The RC church records for Clonmany parish start in 1852 so there would be no records for Ned Kelly and Mary Dauherty (Doherty).

    The 1827 Tithe listings for Clonmany civil parish showed there were a number of Kelly households

    http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/results.jsp?surname=kelly&firstname=&county=&townland=&parish=clonmany&search=Search&sort=&pageSize=&pager.offset=0 

    The 1857 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing showed there were over 20 Kelly households in the parish.

    It will be very difficult to figure out which Kelly line belongs to your Ned.

    Roger McDonenll

     

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Thursday 10th Aug 2023, 12:04AM
  • Thank you. Yes, I know it is unfortunately a longshot with such a common surname.

    BethW

    Thursday 10th Aug 2023, 08:42PM
  • Beth

    In regard to the Inishowen side of your family, this area has a very active DNA group.  I note that you have taken a DNA test which has identified this area. This group would advise you to download the file and then upload it to Gedmatch, where they have an Inishowen project to which they will add you. They will then advise you to post the results on their site with any family information you have.  You should then receive messages from other site members who share DNA in common with you. The administrators are excellent and will also assist with any questions.

    Facebook Inishowen Donegal DNA matches. 

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/478949999556846/

    Marion Whelan - (IrelandXO - Ireland Reaching Out Volunteer)

     

    Whelanmg, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘︎

    Sunday 20th Aug 2023, 10:59AM
  • Thank you, Marion! I already uploaded my results to Gedmatch. I'll look for the project and send a request to join the group.

    BethW

    Monday 21st Aug 2023, 07:13PM

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