From a written history of my family, I have traced my family's roots back to Patrick Kennedy (b 1785), who married Sarah Corrothers. They probably lived in County Mayo and had at least 2 sons and 2 daughters.
Their oldest son, David (b 1814), married Mary Kearney (Carney) (b 1818) . They lived in County Mayo and immigrated to the United States c 1848. David and Mary were my great-great grandparents, and were of the Roman Catholic faith. Of their 5 children who began the voyage to America, only two survived: Michael and Katherine. The other three died of typhus on the journey and were buried at sea.
The family settled first in Rutland, Vermont (where my great-grandfather John Kennedy was born in 1848) and later in the part of Virginia that later became the state of West Virginia. John Kennedy married Mary Gaughan, who was also born in Vermont, but her parents, William (b 1818) and Julia (b 1827) Gaughan were both born in Ireland.
Another son of my Irish ancestors Patrick and Sarah Kennedy, whose name I do not know, married Barbara Kearney (Carney), sister of Mary Kearney. Thus, 2 Kennedy brothers married 2 Kearney sisters.
Mary and Barbara Kearney's parents were Connors Kearney (born about 1790 in County Mayo) and Honorah Corcoran. They married in 1818 and had four children, Mary, John, Stephen and Barbara. Mary, John and Stephen immigrated to the US, but Barbara stayed in Ireland, marrying one of the Kennedys, as mentioned earlier.
I have a great deal of information about the family in the United States, but nothing in Ireland beyond the names Patrick Kennedy and Sarah Corrothers Kennedy; Connors and Honorah Corcoran Kearney (Carney); William and Julia Gaughan.
Any information to help with the search for my Irish ancestors would be appreciated.
DebsterPA
Wednesday 30th Oct 2013, 06:58PMMessage Board Replies
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Debby:
I looked at the Tithe Applotment listings for Co. Mayo. www.titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie There were two Pat Kennedys listed and one Patk Kennedy. If your ancestor was alive in the 1830s and paid the Tithe tax possibly he is one of the three listed. I did note that the Patk Kennedy in Rahoonagh townland, Kilbride parish ( Kilbride is in North Mayo) had a Thomas Kearney listed next to him. It may be a coincidence and Kearney is a fairly common name.
Roger McDonnell
http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/reels/tab//004587454/004587454_00203.pdf
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Wednesday 30th Oct 2013, 07:45PM -
Roger,
Thanks for that tip.Debby
DebsterPA
Wednesday 30th Oct 2013, 07:57PM -
I have found what I think might be a direct connection among my ancestors at:
http://goldenlangan.com/griffiths.html
It lists names under the Griffith's Valuation, index extracts for Co. Mayo, 1856-57 (Ballycastle area) Doonfeeny, Kilbride, Kilfian & Lackan parishes.
Almost halfway down the page for the Lackan Parish are the surnames of several of my ancestors, including some that also match their first names.
There are 3 Patrick Kennedys listed plus Connor Kearney (along with many others of that surname). Both of these names match those of my great-great-great grandfathers.
In addition, Patrick's granddaugher Katherine Kennedy married Michael Ford , who was also born in Ireland (Crossmolina Parish County, Mayo, Ireland), the son of Patrick and Mary Nallen Ford. In the Griffith's Valuation record for January 1836, Patrick Forde appears abouve Thomas Kearney and Patrick Kennedy.
Another of my ancestors' surnames appears on the page, as well. There are several Corcorans. Honora Corcoran married Connor(s) Kearney.
I feel like I'm making some progress!
DebsterPA
Friday 1st Nov 2013, 03:41AM -
Patrick Kennedy leased a share in a plot of land in the townland of Barnhill Upper in the civil parish of Lackan, Co. Mayo. His landlord was Sir W. Roger Palmer, Bt.. This Patrick Kennedy leased a house and additional land in the townland of Barnhill Lower.
Connor Kearney also leased property in the townland of Barnhill Upper in the civil parish of Lackan, Co. Mayo, and also under the landlord, Sir W. Roger Palmer, Bt.
Added research indicates that Barbara Kearney was married to Martin Kennedy. The first name of Martin, however, does not appear in any of the Kennedy descendants in the US, strange considering how the naming patterns are in Irish genealogy.
Barbara Kennedy, aged 70 years, resided in the townland of Barnhill Upper at the time of the 1901 census. She was a widow, with her children Pat (43), Kate (30) and John (37). I have also found John's death listed as July 29, 1931 at:
http://goldenlangan.com/bcreg-deaths.htmlThis was transcribed from the parish death register held at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Ballycastle, Co. Mayo. Graveyard in Lackan, County Mayo.
I found in the marriage register of St. Bridget's the following:
Patrick Kennedy of Barnhill, son of Martin Kennedy and Barbara Kearney married Mary McLean of Kilbride, daughter of James and Mary McLean on 12 June 1902. The witnesses were John Carroll of Kilfian and Mary Flannelly of Lacken. This data has been transcribed from the parish marriage register held at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Ballycastle, Co. Mayo. This Ballycastle parish register covers the civil parishes of Doonfeeny and Kilbride.
DebsterPA
Thursday 14th Nov 2013, 11:35PM -
A search of the 1901 and 1911 census records for Ireland has brought added names to light.
1911 Irish census lists, in Barnhill, Upper, Lacken, Maria Kennedy (48) married to Patrick Kennedy (60) and living with mother-in-law Barbara Kennedy (87). It also lists that Patrick and Maria had been married for 8 years, during which time, she had 3 live births, but only 1 child still living, Patrick Joseph, age 3.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai003008257/
The 1901 Irish Census lists for a house 12 in Kilbride (Lackan North, Mayo) residents Anthony McLean (head of household, age 38), his brother James (age 30), his sister Marie (age 26), and sister Annie (age 20). Also residing with them are nieces Mary Flannelly (age 16), Annie Flannelly (age 8) and nephew Michael Flannelly (age 10)
http://census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai001087924/
The 1911 census has John Kennedy as age 54, living with his sister Catherine (age 49) and her husband Anthony McLean (age 58). It also lists a daughter for Catherine and Anthony, Mary Kate (age 7). It says that Catherine and Anthony have been married for 9 years, and having only one live birth (Mary Kate).
http://census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai003005808/
Apparently, there was another double marriage in the family, Catherine Kennedy married to Anthony McLean and Patrick Kennedy married to Marie (Mary?) McLean.
These unions produced at least two children born in the 20th century, Patrick Joseph Kennedy (born 1908) and Mary Kate McLean, born in 1904.
DebsterPA
Thursday 28th Nov 2013, 09:05AM