Kenny O'Connell

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out and apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

I couldn't find a baptism for a Michael born to a father Patrick and mother Mary Barnes anywhere in Galway. Neither could I find a baptism record for any siblings of Michael. They may have been born in a parish and at a time that predates parish records. 

The only potentially useful records I could find was for the baptism of a Mary Barns in the parish of Tuam on 24-Aug-1843. Parents are listed as John Barns and Bridget Walsh. Does Tuam feature in family history at all? Unfortunately the townland is not recorded. I live in Tuam and if a headstone was available could photograph one for you but given the period this record refers to it is likely this family only had a stone marker on their grave. 

John Barns and Bridget Walsh were married on 30-Jan-1832 in Tuam. Their parents' names are not recorded. Other children included Thomas 27-Oct-1834,  Ann 23-Dec-1836 (who died some time later), Ann 08-Jun-1839 and Mary above. 

I can't be sure that the above Barns family are yours, but let me know what you think!

Best wishes

Clare Doyle

Genealogy Support 

Hi Clare, thanks for the reply and search you kindly made.

Entered on the 1861 census Patrick's sister Mary Bly nee O'Connell, there is no BMD record for her in the UK so could there be a possible lead through her to Patrick? I have uplaoded the 1861 transcript if you'd like to look at it.

Thanks again for your help, very much appreciated, Kenny

Hi Clare, sorry, I forgot to include the Barnes side. Unfortunately I don't have any other information other than her name and that I assume she came from Galway as her husband did, please see attached 1891 census.

Thanks again, Kenny

Hi Kenny

Apologies, I don't know how your reply from January slipped passed me.

According to the attached Mary O'Connell-Bly was born in 1834 but I haven't been able to find any baptisms for a child in Galway of that name at that time. If you go to rootsireland.ie there are 22 baptism records for a Mary O'Connell baptised in Co. Galway between 1834 and 1840. It wouldn't be possible to say which, if any are your Mary. Perhaps her baptism details, like Patrick's were not recorded or were lost. Have you managed to find any death records or an obituary for any of the family that would shed some light on their parish of origin?

There are only 2 O'Connell entries on the Griffith's Valuation for Galway in 1856:

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=doNam…

I checked in case Mary also married in Ireland but no sign of a marriage record for her and a Bly. 

Clare

Genealogy Support 

Hi Clare, thanks again for your research; much appreciated. I just wanteded your advice on a question. I was told by a family member that the O'Connell's came from Navin County Meath, but on the 1911 census Patrick states that he comes form Galway, do you think I should try looking there? Regarding death records stating parish records the IK records don't give you that information. Let me know your thoughts on the above, best Kennny.

Hi again

There are O'Connells on most parts of Ireland and Navan is quite far from Galway:

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?Surname=O%27Connel….

The Census should give an entry for 'where born' so Patrick's county of birth will be entered there. When you refer to IK records what do you mean?

Clare

Genealogy Support 

Hi Clare, I meant UK records. A fmily relative who died a long time ago told me that the O'Connells came from Navan County Meath, but when I discovered the census staing Galwal I dismissed Navan, do you think maybe his wife Mary Barnes may have com from Navan and this is were the mix comes into it? I can't think of any reason they would lie about coming from Galway. Very frustrating!!!! Thanks again for your help, it's very kind of you. Best Kenny.

Hi Kenny

It is frustrating - it's such a pity we can't just contact them and ask for an explanation! It may be the case that Navan and Galway come into it but sometimes stories get mixed up over the years. Is there anything else about Mary on the UK Census that sheds any light on either Navan or Galway? If it were Galway/Mayo/Roscommon we could probably account for it but Galway/Meath would mean there would have to have been a specific reason(s) for moving, if in fact the connection between the two places is true and correct. 

Clare

Genealogy Support 

Ha ha, Clare you're right, maybe I ahould I go and see a Medium and ask them!!! Joking aside there's nothing on the census but Galway. My grandmothers side were from County Wexford and there was a mix up over that at first. I weil look into some other things and see what comes up. Thanks gagin for your time, regards Kenny.