Hi, I am looking for more information about my great-great grandmother. Her name is Mary Keyes (nee O'Neil/ Nihil). According to her Ontario death certificate, she is the daughter of Thomas O'Neil and Margaret Simms. She was born about 1834. We also had her last name at one time as Nihil or Nihill. Because of the Nihil/ Nihill name, we thought she may be from County Clare. But looking into the Simms name, it now appears that name came from Limerick. Her husband Robert Keyes/ Keays was from Limerick.
mjlongeway
Thursday 28th Mar 2013, 03:41AMMessage Board Replies
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Hi:
There are a number of websites that may be of some use to you. You can access surname information through www.irishtimes.com/ancestry. They have interactive maps that show where surnames were most common and it can be a help in where to start. In addition, you also might try the Clare County Library website. They have a lot of very useful information and are a great resource for free and donated material.
You can access Griffith's Valuation through www.askaboutireland.com (google it first), and you can also access the Tithe Applotment Book through the National Archives. If you key in Thomas O'Neill or Thomas Nihill, you might be able to further zone in on your research.
The best of luck to you. In addition, there is the www.irishgenealogy.ie website that has very recently been updated. It doesn't have Limerick or Clare records as such, but might also have some useful information.
If you need any further information, please get back to me.
Kind regards,
Jane
Tulla Clare, IrelandXO Volunteer
Friday 29th Mar 2013, 06:19PM