Trying to establish Kerry origins of my great-great grandfather who arrived in New York in 1840, I found an Andrew Shea born and baptised in August 1808 whose father was also Andrew, a prominent name in our family. Mother was Mary Landers of Ballincolla. My source was Ballyferriter Church records, cited as n/R, p.7, Record Identifier Ky-RC-BA-47498. The Record spells their address as BELINAGHLINGH but I've assumed this is Ballyaglisha. Would there be any current Sheas in the area whose family history goes back that far?
My ancestor came over on the "North America" from Liverpool in May 1840 but I couldn't find that name on any of the lists I've consulted of ships carrying emigrant Irish. Andrew might have caught a ship to Liverpool from Queenstown or Dublin but it seems a long way to go for a trans-Atlantic trip. Does anyone know what the usual route would have been from Dingle peninsula to an exit port for No. America?
Once arrived, Andrew went to Wisconsin, Milwaukee briefly, then Erin with its large Irish population where he farmed and died in the 1890s. No wife accompanied him on the voyage to New York, but later her name in Wisconsin is given as Hurley - with spelling variations.
I know there are a lot of (O) Sheas in Kerry so this is a long shot but I'd be very grateful for any information or suggestions.
all best wishes,
Dan Shea
Sunday 13th Oct 2013, 10:02PM
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There are a lot of Shea's in Boston we had them as god folks. My bus driver this past trip was a O'Shea and he was from Cork Macroom