O'Connell - Sheedy Families From Glenville

Dear Pete

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out and apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

The civil parish of Ardnageehy corresponds with the Roman Catholic parish of Watergrasshill where parish records begin in January 1836. As Richard was born before this time there won't be a baptism record for him in the parish. You don't mention what religion he was. The above is the case if he was Roman Catholic. There will be no civil record of Richard's birth as he was born prior to 1864 when civil registration of births began in Ireland.

I had a look at the Griffith's Valuation to see if there are any O'Connell families listed there, perhaps related to Richard (a father or perhaps a brother). This search is on the basis that not all of his siblings (if he had any) died of emigrated. There were no O'Connell families listed in the parish but you could take a look to see if there are any in the neighbouring parishes listed HERE. The goal would be to try to see if there are any listed there or in the later Revision Books that provide information on which family stayed on the plot up to the 1960s and 1970s. You can earn more about it HERE. There is a baptism for a Richard O'Connell listed on Rootsireland.ie in the Church of Ireland parish of Ballyhea in 1789, south of Charleville but I have no way of knowing if it is your Richard (again, unless you know he wasn't Church of Ireland). There are some other options HERE but in Cork City. You could take a look at the Census of 1901 to see if there are any O'Connell family listed there at that time.

It would seem that the family left Ireland in the time of the Great Famine and there may not have been any remaining family after this as all of his children seem to have moved with him. I wanted to invite you to add your ancestor's details to our XO Chronicles. You can learn more about it HERE and it might be another avenue to consider so that your ancestor's details can be seen by others. 

Best wishes

Clare Doyle

Genealogy Support

Hi Clare,

First of all, let me thank your for your help. I'm pretty much of a neophyte in genealogy.  You've given me some leads to follow up on and I'll definitely look into them.  I do know Richard and family were Catholic.  I should have idenified that in my inquiry.

Richard's son, Michael, married my g-g-grandaunt, Mary Slattery, from Derrybrien, Galway in Milford, MA in August 1853. 

The Glenville local was cited in the tree of a Minnesota decendent of one of Richard's other sons.

As I get my family information documented, I will add their details to the XO Chronicles.  Another great suggestion!

I'm from the Boston area, if I can ever return the favor, I'd gladly look up any information you might need.  You have my email address.

Thanks again for your assistance!

Merry Christmas,

   Pete

Hi Pete,

Your post is of particular interest to me. My gg grandmother Bridget Hickey O'Brien was born 1843 Dunbullogue, near Glenville I believe. She came to Milford, MA as a Famine orphan at age 12 to live with her cousin John Ring of Glenville. John's mother was Mary Lynch, Bridget's mother was Catherine Lynch. Another sister Johanna Lynch married David Maroney of Glenville. The Maroney' s ended up in Upton, MA right next door to Milford. A few cousins from Glenville settled in Watertown, MA also.     

It took a few years to gather all these facts. I got cemetery records, baptismal records,  obits. and marriage certificates. I researched godparents etc. My most important document was a naturalization for John Ring, he stated he was from Glenville, keying  on that fact I was able to ascertain more records for the cousins. I was lucky enough to find my Bridget on Corkgen baptisms as well as some of the Maroney family. A DNA test further proved the connection to a Maroney cousin.

If your Richard was naturalized get the record. Ancestry now has these online, if not NARA in Waltham, MA will have the document. Milford library has microfilms of old Milford newspapers, the obits I found in them were very helpful. St. Mary's Church and Cemetery in Milford also has terrific records, for a small donation you can get baptism and marriage records. Also check find a grave, St. Mary's Cemetery has a group of volunteers that documented many of the old Irish burials.

Helen.... Cape Cod, MA

Happy Christmas!

Clare

Genealogy Support

Ireland XO

Hi Helen,

Thank you for your reply.  I definitely will search for the naturalization record and plan a visit to Milford library along with St, Mary's Church and cemetary.  I find your reply is encouraging -- that you can break through these genealogic brick walls.  I'm quickly finding family research is one big puzzle wrapped in an enigma!  As you know its especially tough finding pre-1850 documentation on Irish families.  I was hopeful with the "Glenville" lead I could make some progress. Clare's suggestions may yet pan out when I can explore them.  I did find a file of Baptismal Records from 1836-1901 for Watergrasshill & Glenville Parish put online by their Parish Office.  It did show Richard O'Connell listed in a number of records but this wasn't my Richard.  Let me give you the website for it may prove helpful to you.  http://www.wghparish.ie

Thanks again for the help!  I'll let you know how I make out. By the way, I love your "capecolleen" ID!

Merry Christmas,

 Pete