Catharine Kelly : Short Biography

Catharine was born 3 Mar 1836 in Tibohine, Roscommon and died on the 21st February 1919 in Kilgariff, Castlelea, Roscommon. Her death records says she was a Widow and died from 4 years of senile decay in the presence of her grandson, Dominick Gordon. I do not know where she was buried. Her father was John Kelly who was born 1782 in St.John, Roscommon and died 13th March 1875, he is buried at the Baslick Cemetery with a Headstone erected by Michael Kelly. John Kelly was in the Regiment-101st or Duke of York Irish Regiment on Foot. His service date was 1808-1813.These records were found in the UK Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Soldier Service Records 1760-1920.

John Kelly married Elizabeth Cunningham

Catharine married Dominicum Gordon on the 16 February 1864 in Loughglynn, Roscommon, Ireland. Both Roman Catholics. Dominicum was born 29 July 1819 in Loughglynn, Roscommon. He died 5 September 1897 in Kilgariff, Roscommon.  

Their children were:- Patrick born 1854, Tibohine, Roscommon, Michael born 15 February 1856 and died same year, Bridget born 28 February 1858, Tibohine, Miriam born 14 March 1860, Tibohine, James born 13 April 1862, Tibohine, Catherine born 10 August 1865, Ballaghaderren, Annie born 25 January 1868, Ballaghaderren, Michael Joseph born 21 August 1870, Kilgarve, Frenchpark, Roscommon, Elizabeth born 17 November 1878, Kilgarriff, Roscommon, John Joseph born 30 July 1873, Castlereagh, Roscommon, Ellen born 15 February 1876, Roscommon.

Patrick possibly went to USA, though not sure.

Bridget and Miriam immigrated to New Zealand on board the passenger ship "Wanganui" departing Plymouth, Devon, England 7 August 1880 and arriving in Auckland, New Zealand 8 November 1880.It is not known where they lived or worked before they married. Bridget met and married Richard Thomas de Silva, born 1844 in Ceylon (now called Sri Lanka) on the 29 April 1892 at St Patricks Cathedral, Auckland, NZ. Richard was employed as a Boarding House Keeper and this may be where they met as Bridget and her sister would have needed lodgings. Bridget Gordon and Richard de Silva are my Great Grandparents. They had ten children.

Miriam met and married Henry Christopher, born 1856 in Auckland, NZ on the 19 February 1892 at St Patricks Cathedral, Auckland, NZ. Henry worked as a Plumber. They had seven children.

James stayed in Ireland and worked on the family farm and when his father Dominick died, his mother Catharine lived with him and his wife/family till her death. James married Mary Finan and together they had six children.

Catherine came to New Zealand as an assisted Emigrant on board the passenger ship "Westmeath" arriving at Hawkes Bay, New Zealand on the 6 May 1883. Eventually she travelled on up to Auckland where her two sisters were living. She married James Nasey on the 26 November 1884 at St Patricks Cathedral, Auckland. James Nasey was born 9 August 1858 in Dundelk, Louth, Ireland. His occupation was a Rigger. Together they had 8 children. James accidently drowned in 1918 while saving his son at Kings Wharf, Auckland.

Annie, Michael, Elizabeth, John and Ellen all immigrated, at different times to New York, USA, where most of them settled in Brooklyn, New York.

Not a lot is known about the Gordon girls in Auckland, apart from what I have written. So, if there is anyone who does know more about their families in Auckland, please write your information to this post. Photos would also be great.

Jocelyn Le Noel