Michael Deely/Daly : Short Biography

Michael Deely was born about 1806 in Kiltartan, County Galway. I don't know his parents' names but his brothers may have been named Jeremiah/Darby (1813-1887), Barthaolomew/Bartly (1818-1888), Dermot, and Patrick. DNA matches definitely connect with Bartholomew's descendants.

Michael enlisted in the 61st Regiment of Foot on 17 May 1825 at the barracks in Gort. The regiment was sent to the Ceylon (Sri Lanka) colony for a little over 11 years. When they returned in 1840. The moved into the barracks at Limerick (city) 1843.

Michael married Judith O'Brien at St. John's in December 1843 where his status as a soldier of the 61st was noted and she was "of this parish".

They had 4 children, all baptized at St. Michael's in Limerick:

1. John Robert Deely, 14 Apr 1848
2. James Martin Deely, 18 Jun 1850
3. Bridget Daly, 30 Sep 1852
4. Michael Daly, 25 Nov 1854

Michael was discharged from the 61st Regiment in 1846 due to "dyspnea & chronic rheumatic fever".

John and James enlisted with the Prince Consort's Own Rifle Brigade as they turned 14 years old. They were both assigned to the band of First Battalion and served in Canada during the 1860s. John was issued a medical discharge after developing scrofula in 1868 and James purchased his discharge for 20 pounds in 1870. They both moved to New York state, USA where their brother Michael soon followed.

I lose all track of Michael and Judith after the birth of their children. Michael Daly is found in the 1850 Griffith's Valuation for Limerick renting a house and yard from Mary Henn on Edward Street but nothing else has been found.

To my knowledge he did not emigrate but that's a guess.