Patrick Shea/Shay was born about 1821 in County Kerry. He married Eleanor/Ellen Driscoll (1819-1912) and had 6 children: James P. (c1857-1925), Jeremiah (c1857-1937), Mary J. (1860-1916), Patrick Henry (1863-1897), Catherine (1865-1888), and Eleanor/Ellen (1868-1913). All of the children were born in Ireland.
Various records in the U.S. place their emigration about 1872 but I have not found any passenger lists or other records to verify that.
James and Jeremiah were not twins so far as I know. James claimed to be born in April 1857 and Jerry claimed to be born in July 1857. There is very strong references through obituaries that they were brothers but clearly someone is wrong. But, I think, that's a difffernt challenge.
Jerry, Mary, and Eleanor/Ellen had children; the others did not. I know many descendats of Jerry (my great grandfather) but not the other descendants of Patrick & Eleanor/Ellen (these names were used interchangeably over the years).
I do not know the parish or townland where they came from. The only story I have references Kerry.
Does anyone know what parish they came from?
Thanks
m.daly
Monday 18th May 2015, 10:19PMMessage Board Replies
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Mark:
Suggest you go to www.irishgenealogy.ie This is a free Irish government site which has Co. Kerry church records.Your family surnames are very common so you need to take some time and go through the records to see if you can determine the RC parish. I would start with the marriage record and go from there. Marriages were in the bride's parish which may not be the parish where the baptisms are recorded.
Come back to me if you have questions.
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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I did not know the marriage records would be in the bride's parish but I guess that makes sense. Thanks
m.daly
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Dear Mark, I have found 2 baptism records for children of Patrick Shea and Ellen Driscoll in the RC Parish of Sneem
Patrick
http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/6217750433…Mary
http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/a75f3c0433…
Hope this helps..do let me know
Warm wishes
Martine -
Hi again Mark, the townland appears to be Derreenaclaurig in the Civil Parish of Kilcrohane
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlker/kilcrohane.html
M
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Patrick Shea and Ellen Driscoll were sponsors to 2 of the children of William Supple and Honora Foley.
http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/ab65bb0434…Thats quite a strong connection and worth checking out.
William and Honora married in Dromod in 1866
http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/f7c9a70543…
M -
There is a William Supple with a wife Norah showing up in The US Census in New York in 1880 and 1900. This might be a wild goose chase but I thought I'd leave it with you in anycase.
Please do let me know if any of this is relevant Mark.
Your family hooked me!
M -
There are 16 people by the name of Shea living in Dreenclaurig in 1901
We don't know at this time if they are your Shea family but again worth checking out!
As Roger said earlier Shea is a very common name, but the combination with Driscoll may help to isolate your family Mark.
V excited
Martine
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Hello Martine. I'm not sure if these are the right people based on the dates. Based on US records of the children (census & obits mostly) the younger Patrick was born in 1863 and Mary in 1860. Both of these baptisms are too early IF the US records are reliable. The US records are fairly consistent; that much I can say.
The only conflict I have with them is James and Jerry both claimed to be born in 1857. On the 1900 census and on their death records. One in April and the other in July. But, they are clearly identified as brothers in family obits. Ignoring that confflict a moment, the births in order are:
- James P. (Apr 1857)
- Jeremiah Michael (13 Jul 1857)
- Mary J. (Jun 1860)
- Patrick H. (abt. 1863)
- Katherine (abt 1865)
- Eleanor/Ellen (Jun 1868)
Both Patrick H. and Katherine died before having any children; he in 1897 and she in 1888.
I agree the Shea/Driscoll connection is the key but I think I need to think about these dates. I'll also share this info with my 2nd cousin who is working on the same line. I do have to say that this is the closest I've gotten to landing my Shays in Ireland, and that's very exciting.
Thanks again! I need to think through this lead.
m.daly