My grandmother, Mary Foley b. 19 Sep 1858 in Killann of parents Michael Foley b. Abt. 1823 in Co. Wexford and Mary Brennan b. Abt. 1827 in Co. Wexford and emigrated to the USA in the early 1880s. She married Thomas Knox of Killeen, Inistoge, Co. Kilkenny in Torrington, CT USA on 06 Sep 1885 and settled in Litchfield, CT (6 miles from Torrington) and raised nine children - my father, Bartholomew Knox being the youngest. (It is said that she knew Thomas Knox before he arrived in Torrington but no one seems to know if she met him in Ireland or during the journey to the USA) She died on 4 Dec 1929 at home in Litchfield.
Her sister, Johanna, b. 22 Mar 1864 in Killann also emigrated to the USA and settled in the same town as Mary. She married Timothy Harney b. Abt. 1869 in Ireland and had three children. She died 7 Jan 1898 and her sister Mary raised her three children as her own (Two boys, John and William and a daughter Mary). Her husband at some point disappeared by "walking off one day" and was never heard from again.
Their brother, Maurice, visited at some point but went back to Ireland and later in 1930 his daughter, Bridget Foley and his son, Maurice Foley, visited the family in Litchfield. Bridget returned to Ireland after about a year as there was no work available and Maurice found work but at some point also returned to Ireland.
I am going to be visiting the area in October and hoping that someone can provide information regarding the parentage of Mary's parents and any other information that is available so that I can make the most of my visit. I would greatly appreciate any information that is provided to me.
Peggy Knox Perusse
Thursday 11th Jul 2013, 09:05PM
Message Board Replies
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Hi
Thank you for your emssage.
I have forwarded your request to a volunteer who may be able to offer a bit of advice.
Wishing you the best of luck with your research.
Kind regards,
Genealogy support
Friday 12th Jul 2013, 10:29AM -
Hi Peggy, Can introduce you to someone who may be able to help when you arrive in Killanne in October, and will enquire for you meanwhile. They may not be able to go back that far but sure they are your line anyway. Records for Rathnure pre 1852 are actually CLOUGHBAWN which is near Clonroche, the parish was divided then when Rathnure was made a separate parish. Will keep in touch, but try above records at Wexford County Library, very helpful there, see website. G.B.
Wednesday 17th Jul 2013, 12:09AM -
Hi Peggy, Was speaking to a gentleman who is a descendant of a Michael Foley born c.1900, and definitely your cousin !!. He does not seem to have any information further back than you have but is very happy about meeting you when you come "home", and you will certainly get some family information, anyway it is nice to know that your relations are still around here. Do you have any information on the location of the Brennan home??, I know where the Foley old homestead is. Good luck with search. G.B.
Wednesday 24th Jul 2013, 11:07AM