Bonfield kf Kilrush, Co Clare

Bibi:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I will alert our Kilrush parish liaison that you have posted a message.

Roger McDonnell

I am also a decendent of the Bonfield's of Kilrush area.  My 2x great grandfather was Michael Bonfield (1805-1883).  He first immigrated to New Brunswick, Canada with his wife, Mary (Julian), and their first child, Thomas, your 2x great grandfather!  My great grandfather was Michael's youngest son, Martin (1849-1935) and Thomas's youngest sibling.  I have been researching this family for several years and there doesn't seem to be much information on the Bonfield's (Bonfill's) in Ireland.  They were certainly not a big family since the surname is rare.  Does your family have any information that would lead us to who Michael's parents were?  Two of his brothers also immigrated to Chicago after Michael; James and Martin, with Michael being the patriarch and the oldest.  I have a picture of a woman and on the back of it my grandmother (Agatha Irene Bonfield) noted her to be Michael's mother, but gave no name.  The only other record I could find was the Baptismal record of Martin and Bridget's (Quinn) son, Thomas, in Dec. of 1853, in Carrigaholt.  His "sponsors" were a Joseph and Mary Bonfill. However, when they immigrated to Chicago in 1854, Thomas was not with them (either he died or ?).  But, then I find other Irish records showing a Thomas Bonfield in Co. Clare in 1825 who would be approximately the same age as Michael.  Brother's perhaps?  There is very little to go on and apparently, according to my grandmother, no one ever talked about the "old country".  I would be more than happy to share with you what I know of them.  I also have a tree on Ancestry.com.

Cathi Murphy

Hello:

I am the gr-gr-granddaughter of the 2nd Bonfield brother - James Bonfield.  I recognzie your name Cathi.  I think we have had email contact previously.  Also, C. Riley and I have emailed.  I live in Chicago area and quite near Calvary Cemetery in Evanston where so many of our ancestors are buried.  We're still on the hunt for who were the parents of Michael, Jams, and Martin Bonfield.

Hi!  Yes, it's been a few years since we corresponded through Ancestry.com.  I also touched bases with Chris Riley a few times, but also a few years back.  It's hard to believe that especially with the extensive research Chris has done, no one can find any records of the Bonfield's past Michael, James and Martin!  They seemed to have simply appeared out of nowhere and the surname is fairly rare.  I do have a document that positively connects them to Father Michael Meehan but from where they actually knew each other is still a mystery.  Father Meehan was in Carrigaholt when he wrote a letter to Michael Bonfield, and Martin & Briget were in Carrigaholt when their son, Thomas, was baptized, but I can't find a "before" or "after" or definite link to the few other Bonfield's or Bonfill's who remained in Ireland.  I joined the County Clare Ireland Genealogy group on FB and picked up a few leads which I am still researching.  Please let me know if you find anything?  My direct email is:  cathimurphy2@gmail.com.  Thanks!!  Cathi