Denis Shea Kenmare Kerry to Worcester Mass. USA

Actually not related, but the mention of Kenmare & Mass. caught my attention.

I did find baptisms in Kenmare for 4 children of Denis Shea & Mary Callaghan.  They might contain useful information, so:

• Catherine, of Rusbee, bapt. 14 Nov 1841, sponsors Michael & Mary Callaghan
• John, of Clady, bapt. 1 Jun 1845, sponsors Jeremiah Mahoney & Mary McCarthy
• Honora, of Rusbee, bapt. 6 May 1849, sponsors Michael Callaghan & Catherine Connor
• Timothy, of Gerahadiveen, bapt. 15 May 1859, b. the 13th, sponsors Timothy Sullivan & Johanna Connell

Also, Denis Shea & Mary Calleghan m. 6 Feb 1841 in Kilgarvin, Denis was from Grossmount, sponsors John Shea & Cornelius Callehan

I found these on http://www.irishgenealogy.ie/index.html

Thank you for your efforts.  I have seen those listings on irshgenealogy.ie and do believe that's my family.  Hopefully by your efforts someone in Kenmare will see that information and it may ring a bell.  Again thanks.  Are you in the states or ireland or elsewhere?

Mary Ellen

I'm in Massachusetts.  I don't see why they wouldn't be your family.  Right area & era.

I posted here hoping that eventually some Sheas or Callaghans from Kenmare might find a connection.  Someday I hope to go to Kenmare and try to do some research and graveyard walking.

Thanks again.

Mary Ellen

Your Callaghans seem to be from the parish of Kilgarvin.  Couples usually married at the bride's church.  Children would often be baptized at the groom's church, as the bride would often move to where the groom lived after they married.  The witnesses for the wedding may have been the couple's fathers, as I've seen that a few times in Irish weddings. 

Also, it is helpful that when you have further information, such as the children's baptisms indicating a more specific place where they lived (i.e. Rasbee), that you include this information.  The more details you provide specific to Ireland, the better.  At least mention that you've found those records, as if I hadn't provided those to you, someone else eventually would have, as they'd assume you didn't see those.

Thank you for your advice.

I am researching our Shea/O'Shea ancestors and from what I find in the Ireland Census Records, they are from Kenmare/Sneem/Eskine.  My relatives were in NY, and my family thought they were all always from there; however, my research has lead me to Rhode Island with one branch, and I am quite suspicious that we have lots of ancestors who started out in the New England area of the U.S.  Names related to my Sheas are Foley, Sullivan, Fitzgerald, Regan and McGovern.  If anyone can help me make some connections, I have found a lot, but not quite enough yet.

Thanks! :)

Colleen