Brigida Kelly of Kilbegnet parish

shelleyjayt:

I searched on the subscription site Roots Ireland and did not find a baptismal record for Bridget Kelly with father Patrick in Kilbegnet parish. Possibly, Bridget was baptized in a nearby parish but without her mother's maiden name, we can't confirm a record.

It appears Michael and Bridget had ten children with the youngest John born in 1886. By that time, they were living in Fearagh townland in Kilmeane civil parish. If you need more information on the children please let me know.

Here they are in the 1901 census   http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Roscommon/Kilteevan/Fearagh/1669109/

Michael died in 1907. See second record   https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1907/05529/4549977.pdf

I did not find a death record for Bridget and did not see her in the 1911 census.

Roger McDonnell

Hello,

First, thank you. Brigida Kelly and Michael had a daughter Bridget McDonnell, who was my great grandmother. Bridget McDonnell left for the US, married a man from Cork. They lived in San Franciso, but she lived in NY for a brief time. I am trying to track down any information about her and the family. 

I appreciate your assistance. I notice your name. Are we distantly related?

shelleyjayt:

It looks like Bridget was born in late November 1880 since it appears that she was baptized December 1 1880. See link with entry from parish register.

https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000633976#page/118/mode/1up

However, the civil record shows a birth date of January 10 1881. The family likely backdated the day of birth to avoid a fine for late registration. (30 days to register a birth)

see fifth record  https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1881/02839/2040752.pdf

I don't think we are distantly related. My McDonnells come from Mayo.

Roger

Hi,

I am very confused about the records. Every official piece lists her birth month, day and year differently. A practice she continued in the USA.

I think I have seen 5 different dates. 

Thanks again for the help. 

Oh and any information you have pn the siblings of Bridget McDonnell Lee would be welcomed. 

I am particularly interested in what happened to her from the time she landed in NYC and how she got the money to then move to San Francisco.  A big journey by today's standards, let alone in the early 1900s.

On the 1898 ship manifest it stated she was going to live with her cousin Nellie Casy (Casey?) and it gives an address in Manhattan NY. The only Nellie Casy that I can find, however, is a child of 7. I suppose she could have been brought over to be a nanny/servant, but why list the child instead of the parents?

In 1904 she is listed as living in San Francisco unmarried. She had my great aunt Ellen Dorothy in 1910 and my grandmother in 1917. I have my suspicions about what transpired but I'd love to find out more.  I have not been able to locate any marriage license for her and Michael Lee. 

shelleyjayt:

Many immigrants adjusted their age when they came to America and made other changes after they arrived. Whatever fit their circumstances particularly when they were considering marriage.

Regarding Bridget's siblings, I would suggest that you use irishgenealogy.com  for marriage records if they stayed in Ireland and Ancestry.com and familysearch.org if they came to America.

Roger