Edward Kelly, Ennistymon

I located Roger Kelly on this site - it was in the Lynally group posted by Graham Brooks, if that helps.  I can't confirm he is the faither of my Edward from Ennistymon.

Audrey:

Unfortunately, Ennistymon RC records start in 1870 which makes it difficult to find good records for your family.

I would also greatly caution using records found on the various sites where people have posted family trees. Many of these tress have unverified information. Also, Edward Kelly is a very common name.

You provided this information in the opening paragraph of your message:

The sites tell me he was born 12-5-1825, she in 9-1826; married 1850 in Letterkenny, Donegal, Donegal; they both immigrated to America around 1885, raised a family and died in Rochester, NY (1875 Ed; 2900 Ellen).

It would be unusual for a couple to be from one county e.g. Clare or possibly Offally but then get married in Letterkenny Donegal. Also, they would have emigrated at age 60 and then raised a family?

Can we step back one generation? Who were the children of Edward and Julia and were they born in Ireland?

Roger McDonnell

Hi Audrey,

To add to Roger's post, I have checked Tithe Records for Ennistimon area - 1823 - 1837 for the surname "Leahy". There is a William Leahy recorded in the parish of Kilmacrehy (Liscannor) which is North West of Ennistimon and covers the area known as the "Cliffs of Moher".  The town of Ennistimon (Ennistymon)  is approx. one hour walk away. It is listed as in the Diocese of Galway as is Ennistimon parish - - Kilmanaheen.

The parish of Ennistimon does not have any "Leahy" listed. There is another William Leahy in the parish of Rath (Corofin) Killaloe Diocese. It is about 10 miles from Ennistimon. There is a record of a Catherine Leahy of Martree being married there in 1824. - catholicparishregisters@nli.ie - National Library. No record of an Ellen Leahy. The parish register will show a map of each parish area. Rath parish is towards Ennis.

Tithe Records - www.nationalarchives.ie - Free site.

The Clare County Library may be of assistance - www.clarelibrary.ie - Free

Regards,

Further to previous post, a William Leahy, Shoemaker of Liscannor summoned a police constable - Matthew Kelly - for assault in 1853.

It would indicate that the "Leahy's" were craft makers.  The name "Ellen" appears in a number of baptisms and queries in the years post 1830.

Regards,

Credit: www.findmypast.ie

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts.  I struggle with Mom's information about Edward and Ellen Kellen.  She left me no primary evidence so am trying to prove her family tree information.  I clearly see Edwarad with Ennistymon under his name but Ellen merely has 'Ireland' so perhaps my assumption she is from there, too, is wrong. so far, Mom's information from relatives and the library is 95% accurate.  Now seems a good time to request death certificates from NYS to see if Kelly and Leahy parents are listed.  It takes so long to obtain them that I've been trying to work without those forms.

I have sucessfully located NYS and Federal Census reports back to 1875 for Ellen and Edward, listing Ireland as their birthplace. No matter how hard I try, I've not been able to find an earlier nugget in America for them.  Mom stated Edward and Ellen were born around 1825 so having their first child, Martin, in 1857 is not out of the question.  I have no family trail to believe there were any other siblings beside Martin, Ellen Francis (my Mom's Great Grandma) and Bridget Kelly, who live to age 97, dying in 1962.  They are all buried in our local Catholic ceremony.  Unless Ellen and Edward were married in Ireland and had children who died before coming to America, my information looks solid.

The Leahy information about some kind of craft makers is very encouraing to verify what another relative reported.  Perhaps Ellen Leahy wasn't from Ennistymon, after all.  I will check out McCoy's information about the parish of Kilmacrehy (Liscannor) North West of Ennistimon.  During that time, would it be reasonable to think folks traveled from there to the town of Ennistimon (Ennistymon) ,an hour walk away?  I will pursue that idea, along with looking into the parish of Rath (Corofin) Killaloe Diocese.

The lack of any information before 1875 in America is frustrating but I am not giving up.  Trying to enjoy the journey and hoping for a good outcome. So many similiar, common names in my family..... 

Thanks for everyone's suggestions!  I SO look forward to visiting Ireland next year, my dream trip.

Audrey

Roger,  you made an excellent point.  I need to update my timeline.

t"I would be unusual for a couple to be from one county e.g. Clare or possibly Offally but then get married in Letterkenny Donegal. Also, they would have emigrated at age 60 and then raised a family?"

If Ellen and Edward were born in 1825, were in Rochester, NY 1875 on the Census report  (ages 49 and 49) with 3 children: Martin (17 born 1857), Ellen F (12) and Bridget (9), then on subsequent Census reports to 1900 (Ellen) and 1875 (Edward), they would have had to immigrate much earlier, perhaps 1850.   Definitely timeline flaws in other family trees I've examined. Which is why I keep looking for primary evidence, is possible.

Since they seem to be off grid in America, at least in my research before 1875, I can't verify when/where they married.  Hopefully one bit of new info will become available that will fill in a portion to help me take a new direction in tracking them down!

Audrey

Audrey:

Have you considered a DNA test? You may get some matches that would help you in your research quest.

Roger

Hi Audrey,

The attached may not be of any assistance, but it will give you an indication of the way memorials were erected. The poor did not have the money and it depended on some relative who had emigrated to the States to arrange one, usually in memmory of his/her parents.

The pages I am posting are of cemeteries in the area of Liscannor and Kilshanny. There is a Thomas Kelly in Kilmacrehy cemetery 2  and a Daniel Leahy in Kilshanny Old - 2. No other "Leahy" found. 

See Corofin -  You might consider contacting them for any detail they may have on a possible marriage between Edward Kelly and Ellen Leahy.

An Edward Kelly and an Edmond Kelly are recorded in the Petty Sessions court in Ennistymon in 1852 and 1855..

I have not checked the Ennistymon town cemetery.

Credits: www.findmypast.ie

Regards,

Thank you for all the help!  This is all very helpful.

By accident, I checked our a family tree hunting around on Ancestry and took a chance - sometimes we get lucky.  Well, I found a relative in town whose dad was a cousin of my ceased mom.  His Dad was noted in some of my Mom's books about the person who traveled to Ennistymon to located family about 30 years ago.  I plan to call him - the dear man is in his 90's - and see what he can share.  His son, guess my second cousin??? - had a photo of a Daniel Leahy's headstone but no defnite info.  Doubt it would mean anything to people in the area but want' to try.  I have it attached.

Once I talk with my elder relative and can get more info, I will let you know.  I hope he will get me closer to my Irish heritage!

Blessings,

Audrey

I wanted to update my information.  Was finally able to speak with my 90 year old relative who remembered his dad going to Ireland and attempting to find the Edward kelly/Ellen Leahy family based on my Mom's notes.  They didn't have any luck with Ennistyman 10 year ago.  So, I need to broaden my serach for other areas on County Claire and Cork.  It takes forever to obtain death certificates in New York which might list parents but ohope they provide more clues to point me in a new direction.

He agreed with notes I have about someone in Ireland named James Leahy who was a barrel maker in Ennistyman; we also have an Ellen Kelly was born in County Cork that married a Patrick McDonald from County Claire. Lots to keep researching.

I still hope to visit Ireland next year! 

Blessings!

Audrey