I am looking for any living descendants of my great great grandparents Margaret Brosnan and Edward James Healey. I have exhausted all online records and have been unable to find any links that match up with the limited information I know to be fact.
My great grandfather was John Joseph Healey who was born in Castleisland in County Kerry between 1856 and 1961. He immigrated to New Zealand in 1875 at about 20 years of age and married Margaret Mary Curtis (1862-1936). His marriage record states that his parents were Edward James Healey and Margaret Healey (nee Brosnan), although John's father's name on his death certificate is stated as Michael Healey. I have been able to find a baptism record for a Margaret Brosnan at the Roman Catholic church in Castleisland (Goulane?) 7 Jul 1840 but am unable to make the connection between this Margaret Brosnan and my great grandfather John. Is this Margaret Brosnan (or Brosnanh) my 2 x great grandmother?
I cannot find any information at all about my 2 x great grandfather Edward James Healey. Were there any other children other than John Joseph?
There is a marriage record for a Cornelius Brosnan and Honora (Nora) McCarthy dated 27 Jan 1834 in County Kerry, and they had a daughter Margaret born 1838 in Castleisland. Are Cornelius and Nora my 3 x great grandparents??
If there are any descendants of Margaret Brosnan and Edward James Healey (farmer) out there I would be so grateful for any information to connect the dots. We live in New Zealand and my husband and I recently visited Castleisland in June to try and search for information but to no avail.
I would love to make contact with anyone who may have any information on my Irish family and help us to solve the mystery.
Many thanks
Corina
Sunday 30th Jul 2023, 10:16PMMessage Board Replies
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Corina:
I'm wondering if John Healey mentioned Castleisland as his home place because it was the nearest "big town" to where he lived. I note that there are two RC parishes near Castle island which have late availaibility of records: Brosna and Ballymacelligott. That would explain why you could not find any church records. I also could not find any records.
Have you considered a general DNA test? You may get matches which will be helpful with your research.
Maybe others will see the message and comment.
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Sunday 30th Jul 2023, 11:10PM -
Thank you Roger for responding. My DNA test through Ancestry.com has not resulted in any Irish matches but I have recently downloaded to Gedmatch so will see if anything comes from that. Thank you for your suggestions, I will keep going with my research and hope something comes up in time.
Corina
Wednesday 2nd Aug 2023, 10:00PM