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I am resarching my Irish ancestors, prior to their emigration to the US, Specifically, I am searching for my GGGGrandfather, Jeremiah O'Connor (DOB/DOD unknown), He married Hanorah Mealy. One son, John H.O'Connor was definitely born in Kilgarvin, Co.Kerry in 1838, per his headstone in MAssachussetts.. There may be another son, Daniel, born in 1833. Hanorah, John and Daniel came to the US, I believe in late 1849 to 1853 (still working on this end). Cannot confirm if Jeremiah came to the US, nor can I seem to find any clue of him or Hanorah in marriage records in Ireland.  

Any local assistance regarding identifying Jeremiah and/or Hanorah in Ireland( specifically Kilgarvan area), burial locations of CONNOR/O'CONNOR families/ancestors in southern Kerry/Kilgarvan area would be appreciated, alng with any other helpful hints. My research really  ends with these ancestors, and American family have no information on anyone beyond John H, from whom I descend. I am obsessed with my search for Jeremiah and those who came before him.

Many thanks. 

Bob O'Connor

 

Bob O'Connor

Sunday 22nd May 2022, 11:46PM

Message Board Replies

  • Bob:

    I searched the subscription site Roots Ireland and found a family in Kilgarvan RC parish which is could very well be your family. So far I have located three baptismal records for children of Jeremiah Connor and Honora Malvey. They lived in Shandrum townland in Kilgarvan civil parish. Besides Roots Ireland, I searched the free site www.irishgenealogy.ie and came up with the same three records

    Daniel baptized January 9 1827

    Timothy November 15 1836

    Ellen June 9 1842

    Not sure about the record for John. The priest could have failed to annotate his baptism or it is on the register but very illegible and therefore not transcribed. https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0674   The register is in Latin so if you have any questions let me know.

    I did not find the marriage record but did find an October 30 1821 marriage for a Denis Malvey and Margaret Connor in Kilgarvan. Potentially they may be siblings to Jeremiah and Honora.

    The 1852 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing for Kilgarvan civil parish does show a Daniel Connor, John Connor and Timothy Connor all in Shandrum.  https://www.failteromhat.com/griffiths/kerry/kilgarvan.htm

    Roger McDonnell

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Monday 23rd May 2022, 02:08PM
  • Roger,

    Thanks so much for your work and for contacting me.  I have searched Irish baptismal records for John and Daniel with little success, but the years of birth I have  were qiestionable for Daniel and John. I also have a very small hint in family records that Jeremiah and Hanorah (as spelled on the gravestone) MAY have had other children, (the name ELLEN does come up as a possible child)  although I have no American evidence of any children other than Daniel and John..  John, his wife Ellen (they married in the US), and Hanorah are buried in Massachusetts in a family plot, so I have them fairly well documented on this side of the ocean (Hanorah 1804-1890), John H., 31 Oct 1836 or 1838-1875). Daniel O'Connor, allegedly the older brother according to some family trees, is buried with his wife several miles away and I am still working on the familial links there. Regarding Hanorah's maiden name, I have seen it potentially as Mealy and Malley. MALVEY is certainly a possibility.  Her fathers name MAY have been William.

    This helps so much, as I have been stymied as to furhter hints. Almost humorously, I DID find a Jeremiah O'Connor in West Brookfield Massachussetts, about 35 miles east of where John, Daniel and the rest settled and raised their families.  On August 31, 1953,  a man identified as Jeremiah O'Connor, no age, a married man, was found dead on the side of a road, no cause of death given., and identified by the coroner.  His occupation was listed as "bagpipe player". I am not sure if he is "my" Jeremiah, and I still have work to do- apparently he was buried in that town, but records do not pinpoint the cemetery, or in fact any other details other than that which I found in the old town records of his death. 

    I will look at the records you pointed me to, and if I have more questions, may I contact you for assistance? After several months of frustration this is the best information I have recieved! Thanks again for your help and hopefully you have led me to some answers. 

    Bob O'Connor

    Bob O'Connor

    Monday 23rd May 2022, 06:29PM
  • Hi Bob,

    I found a baptismal record for John O'Connor...

    Rootsireland gives a baptismal date of 1 Nov 1830 for John Connor, son of Jeremiah and Honorah Maley of Sandrum. Baptized in RC parish of Kilgarvan. Sponsor: Gobnet Sughurue

    Note you have 31 Oct for the birth date...and the baptismal date here is one day later. I know the year is earlier than what the tombstone says, but records, including cemetery inscriptions, are sometimes incorrect.

    I hope this helps.

    Patricia

    Monday 23rd May 2022, 06:56PM
  • Patricia,

    Thanks- that helps immensely! I do appreciate your help.  Bob

    Bob O'Connor

    Wednesday 25th May 2022, 12:36AM
  • Bob:

    If you have more questions let us know and either I and/or Patricia will get back to you.

    Roger

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Wednesday 25th May 2022, 08:22PM
  • Attached Files

    Roger and Patricia,

    Thanks for the initial help.  I am sure I will have more questions soon enough!  I have been at a dead end with Jeremiah until I found this site and you both helped so much.  I am certain this is "my" Jeremiah, there are just too many checks in boxes for it not to be. You have opened up a whole new opportunity to learn more about him, and expand the family tree. 

    Honorah (Hanorah) has been another question mark.  I had a maiden name of, alternately,  Maley or Mealy, but not Malvey.  The family cemetery plot in Massachusetts only mentions her as " Hanorah, wife of Jeremiah".  1804-1890, with no indication of where in Ireland she was born.  I have had to make certain assumptions on both Jeremiah and Honorah regarding birthplace, age of Jeremiah, etc. Interestingly, Jeremiah is not, to my knowledge, in the plot, as he is not indicated on the headstone beyond the above reference with Hanorah, and cemetery records do not show him as being interred there. So while he has been an enigma of sorts, you have brought him to life for me with your discovery.

    Again, I thank you and I am sure I will be asking for more as I proceed.  I was a member of RootsIreland previously and let  membership lapse for lack of success.  I have rejoined, and will do some research there with your valuable information.

    All the best- Bob

    Bob O'Connor

    Thursday 26th May 2022, 06:31PM
  • Bob:

    I think only Tralee and Killarney have records back to the late 1700s and I believe Killorglin has records to 1800 but Killorglin is not on Roots Ireland.  Killorglin is only on www.irishgenealogy.ie  Also, Tralee baptismal records are not on Roots just irishgenealogy.ie

    Roger

    Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Friday 27th May 2022, 07:12PM

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