Terence and Nabby Conoly/ Connolly? Co. Leitrim

Hi Sarah

Can see your dilemma. 

Terence & Nabby Connolly married on 20 Feb 1853 in the RC parish of BALLAGHAMEEHAN (then Ballaghmyhan) which places them

• in the civil parish of Rossinver 
• west of Kiltyclogher
• in the Electoral District of Glenaniff or Ballaghameehan (this narrows down your list of possible townlands)
• in the Registration district of Manorhamilton.

Terence Conolly was a popular name in these parts and there were at least 2 others baptising children in this RC parish at this time.

Nabby was a nickname for Gobnait aka Abigail. So she may also appear on record as Abbi, Abbie, Abby, Abina, Bena, Bina, Debbie, Debby, Gail, Gubbie, Gubby, Libby, Nabbie, Nabby, Webbie, Webby.

Terence & Nabby Conolly baptised their children at Ballaghameehan RC chapel from 1854 through 1873:

• Michael Connolly b. 1854  
• Hugh Connolly b. 1856 RIP
• John Connolly b. 1858
• Mary Connolly b.1860
• Sara Conolly b.1862  
• Hugh b. 1867 (d.1944 Carrowkeel?)
• Eleanor b.1869
• Brigid b. 1873

This RC parish did not record addresses or names of godparents sadly.

What we do know is that the given name Hugh was important, and had to be kept alive. Following the naming conventions of the time, it is likely that Terrence's father was a Michael Conolly and Nabby's a Hugh Connoly. 

Unfortunately, none of those later births turned up on the civil register (which began in 1864). 

In 1857, at the time of Griffith's Valuation, the possible Terrence Connolys within range are: ​

• Terence Conolly (1790–1864) & wife Anne (1805-1874) of Larganhugh farm #7  (he was recorded here in 1833 alongside Hugh and Luke Conolly) His son Terence Jr took over the farm. His son Hugh (1818-1894) died age 13. 

• Tawnaleck farm #1

• Terence & Catherine Connolly (1816-1867) Gortenachurry farm# 3

• Sara Conolly (1860–1887)  "farmer's daughter, brother Hugh present at death, Glenaniff"

Could you tell me a bit more about what became of them? Did they emigrate? When? 

Hi Rua!

This is great thank you so much! What a detailed response, thank you! I am by no means an expert but also not an amature in Irish genealogy. I am really stumped on this one! I have built a sizeable tree on Ancestry. However Co. Leitrim research is new to me as my other lines have been from Mayo.

Michael Connolly emigrated to Boston. Canton, Massachusetts, USA to be exact. He then moved one town over to Norwood. He married Honorah Coughlin in 1887. He is buried in Norwood, Massachusetts, USA. His Massachusetts marriage certificate states his marriage as Terence and Nabby. There is also an emigration record that states he was born in Rossenver,Co. Leitrim. I have seen on roots the names of his siblings. It was a first for me to see 2 sons with the same name. I assumed one had died as an infant? 
 

Connolly/Conoly/Conolly/ etc... many different variations of this name. Even the roots records are inconsistent in the spelling. It would be wonderful to know what happened to Michael's siblings. Or anything more about Terence and Nabby! Nailing town the townland would be very helpful too. Although Terence is not a common name as you stated about there are a few results from your search. 
 

Thank you again for you help! I greatly appreciate your response. Sarah

Edit*  it's should read .....Michael's Massachusetts Marriage Certificate states his parents as Terence and Nabby