Catherine "Kate" Burke, b. 1822 with a brother, Michael Burke, residing in Eskerrow, Menlough in early 1880s

Dear Mary,

Thank you so much for your response, and your efforts.

I should probably also write to the parish priest in Moyough, as in 1967 he was given copies of these letters I mentioned.  Perhaps the present incumbent will have some idea of whether they were placed in a school historical display, or perhaps given to a local historical society.  They did, as I recall mention evictions taking place at the time, and the priest remarked that some of the families mentioned still lived in the area.

Perhaps you can tell me the name of the current parish priest at Moylough, as I would prefer to address him by name.

In the meantime, thank you again.

Jack Carroll

Bourke          Michael              Menlough Eighter           Killoscobe     Galway
Bourke          Sybil                Carrownacregg West         Killoscobe     Galway
Bourke          Thomas               Fairhill                   Killoscobe     Galway
Bourke          Thomas               Moneen                     Killoscobe     Galway

Martin,

Thank you so much for your information.

As for Annie, I had an email several years ago from a resident of the Mt. Bellew area who told me that Annie had died at an advanced age, and had been quite an admired figure even in her very old age.  The home that she and her brother had lived in was, I was told, now occupied by a young family named Burke.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,
Jack Carroll

Hello Jack,

Did you get an email from me about a monthago? We were curious to know if you have made any progress with your search? We think the burke family you are tracing are a different family - we have since started a search for Gerry's ancestors who moved from KIlkerrin to Eskerroe in 1910 approx. We were especially trying to trace his great grand-aunt Margaret Burke who may have died young or else emigrated without any trace.

Your enquiry has opened some new avenues for us, it is a co-incidence that there are other burkes (ancestors) who now live in Long Island N.Y.

Good luck with your search and let us know how you get on.

Regards

gerry & mary burke.

p.s. the Carroll residence was inherited by Annies niece, Ellen Baxter. She sold the house in 1997 and it has since been sold again. ~The current occupants are non related. They have lovingly restored the cottage and they have beautiful stone facing on the front of the building. Thought you would like to know it is being well tended.

Gerry & Mary,

My apologies for not responding to you posting much sooner.  In October I had a very complicated spine operation in a hospital in Barcelona, and then returned to Portugal to recover - which has been a tedious process.  However, I am past the grumpy convalescent stage now, and back to the family tree.

No, in answer to you question, I did not receive your email that you referred to.  Try jcarroll126@hotmail.co.uk. 

This following bit of information may only be a coincidence re your Burkes and mine, but I thought I'd pass it on.  My grt-grandmother, Catherine Burke had a brother (or cousin) Patrick Burke (b. abt. 1832, Ireland) who also immigrated to Erie Co., NY and lived in Buffalo all his life.

However, he had several sons, and one William T. Burke and his wife, Ellen Carmody, moved to Oyster Bay, Long Island, NY sometime in the early 20th century to live with their son, William G. Burke, who was a successful doctor there.

I have found in Griffith's 1855 both Carrolls and Burkes in Moylough, and this, at least circumstantially, supports the family traditon that my grt-grandparents were from the same area.  I have re-scrutinized the American and N.Y. censuses, and these grt-grandparents give the same year for their immigration, but their marriage date is a bit in doubt - and that means they could have been married in Ireland or the U.S.

I was pleased to hear about Annie and Michael's old place.  My two visits there are still bright and shining in my memory.  Both of them were indominitable types - though Michael was reticent, whereas Annie was quite something else.  I dropped in prepared for a good old shake-the-family-tree gabfest, and her interest was in discussing the developing space race (this was the late 60's) and was it or was it not going to produce something beneficial for man-in-the-street when all was said and done!  Her conversation kept me on my toes that afternoon, she had fierce, no-nonsense mind, but her sense of humour was just as sharp.  She certainly blew away any sentiment claptrap of what kind of folk you'd find living in a thatched roof cottage.

Again, sorry for the delay response, and belated best wishes for 2013.

Jack Carroll

Since making my original posting on John Carroll (1829-1908) and Catherine Burke,  I have learned John's parents' names.  They were Edward Carroll (which is the name John gave his only son) and Bridget Mulrooney.

According Griffiths Valuation 1855  there was an Edward Carroll and a Patrick Carroll with holdings in Annaghmore West townland.  Their landlord is Thomas Blake.

There are a John and a James Mulrooney with holding in Annaghmore East from Francis A. French.

It is tantalizing to think these may be that same families as on John's death certificate in the U.S.A.

John

I found Edward's death cert from 1872 

Present was Margaret Gordon who I know was Margaret Carroll married to John Gordon

Their daughter Ellen married Patrick Burke, the son of Michael Burke of Annaghmore

No doubt that Michael was connected to your Catherine and the family cemented the ties with this marriage 

Their son Patrick then married Catherine Carroll of Eskerroe

These are Gerry's grandparents 

I will try and see Gerry soon and get some confirmation on this 

Martin