I am Marié Claassen de Vries from South Africa and was told to contact the Prior Parish in an effort to find information on my gt gt gt gt grandfather Dr. Geoffrey O'Connell *c1760-†c1817 married to Elizabeth Ross.Their three children Michael*1804, John *1811 and Elizabeth *1813 were born at HILLGROVE, a Townland, Caher, near Caherciveen. After the death of GEOFFREY, ELIZABETH remarried a CHARLES EAGER and their daughter ELIZA were also born at HILLGROVE in December 1819. Elizabeth and Charles Eager with their daughter Eliza and the Three O'Connell children came to South Africa abt. 1820. Elizabeth Eager is buried here in South Africa with an additional inscription on her Headstone which also refers to her as the relict of Dr. Geoffrey O'Connell. I am in possession of the South African Death Certificates of the children whereupon their brithplace is HILLGROVE, CO. KERRY. I am not familiar with Ireland and should Hillgrove community not fall under the Prior Parish, could someone please direct me to the Parish that I should contact. If you are in possession of information on the above, I receive your comments with gratitude. Thank you for taking time to read this. Regards, Marié
Marie de Vries
Tuesday 7th Feb 2017, 08:10AMMessage Board Replies
-
Dear Marie:
Many thanks for your query to Ireland Reaching Out.
The name Hillgrove appears to be listed under the Catholic parish records of Cahirciveen and those records are accessible on the Irish Genealogy website at www.irishgenealogy.ie They are under the Church Records tab. Unfortunately, though it appears that those records don't start until the mid-1840s. The parish register is available to view through the National Library of Ireland under this link:
http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0658. However, the records are very difficult to read.
Have you considered writing directly to the Parish Office in Cahirciveen? As you have particular dates, names and a place, it is possible that they may have more information for you.
There is a Cahirciveen parish website which may be of some assistance to you:
http://www.cahersiveenparish.com/church-records-from-1825-onwards. You will note that there were earlier records but the register was destroyed by fire.
If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards,
Jane.
Jane Halloran Ryan
-
Thank you Jane for all the information. So kind of you to have taken time to do so. Much appreciated and I will for sure follow-up the Links provided. Kind regards, Marié Claassen de Vries.
Marie de Vries