Mathew Kelly

1932 or 1832?
 

Dear MRK-Canada:

Thank you for your post to the Ireland Reaching Out message board.  If you have any more information about Matthew, such as siblings names, dates of departure and arrival in Canada, that would be a very big help.  The surnames of Kelly and McMahon were very common in Clare, so any further information would assist in narrowing down the area where they came from.  I have had a look at the parishes of Tulla and Clooney/Quin for a James Kelly and Catherine McMahon family, but there aren't any families listed with those names for parents.  The year of 1832 is early for many parish registers, and this may limit your research.  However, if you can find other information or have any further information, that would be a great help.  

Please let me know if you have any other information and I will try to assist.

Kind regards,

Jane

Thankyou for responding Jane

The birth date was 1832 not 1932. 

Mathew had a brother named Michael born around 1838. Mathew used Kelly and Michael used Kelley. Don't know why they had different spelling.

Mathew married Bridget Flaherty (1825?) and Michael married Margaret Flaherty (1842). The Flaherty's were from Kilkeedy in Clare. They were married in Canada in the late 1850's.

Bridget and Margaret's parents were Michael Flaherty and Ann O'Keefe.

I have not been able to determine if James Kelly, Catherine McMahon, Michael Flaherty and Ann O'Keefe immigrated to Canada. I can't find any trace of them in Canada or Ireland.

Regards

Mike

Hi Mike:

Thanks for your quick reply.  Kilkeedy parish may be a big clue and it is definitely worth a look.  The link for the registers transcribed by father's name is here:  

http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/don_tran/bmd/baptism_records_tubber_fathers_name.htm

I note that there are several Michael Kelly entries that may be worth looking at further.  Specifically there is an entry for a Michael Kelly baptised in 1839 to a Martin Kelly and an Ann O'Connor.  Sponsors were:  John Kelly and Anne Kelly.   There is also a Michael Kelly baptised in 1834 to a John Kelly and a Mary Bourke.  Sponsors were:  James Ruan and Bridget Neilan.  The digitised images are available through the National Library of Ireland at this link:  https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0795

I see the references to the Flaherty family, and you will see them in the first link.  It is not a foregone concllusion that the Kelly and Flaherty families were from the same parish, but it is a possibility.  Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

Kind regards,

Jane

Thanks Jane

I'll be visiting Clare in September and will go to Kilkeady.

Hi Mike: thanks for your reply.  I would recommend that you visit the Local Studies Centre in Ennis which has all of the Clare Library resources online as well as other information in-house.  There are two librarians there who are very knowledgeable and who will be able to further assist you.

 I also know two people with Ruan/Kilkeedy roots and I can mention you to them, if you wish.  

Please let me know.

 All the best,  

Jane

Thanks Jane

We'll actually be staying in Ennis for 5 days so I'll be sure to visit the Local Studies Center.

I have a lot of Clare Roots on both sides of my family that all immigrated during the famine.

Mike

Hi Mike:

That's great.  You will find that the Local Studies Centre will be a good place to start with all your Clare roots research.  Please let me know if I can do anything further for you.  If you would like to meet with me while you are in Ennis, you can email me at:  jhalloranryan@irelandxo.com

Kind regards,

Jane

Thanks so much Jane