My second great grandfather, James Phelan born 18 JUN 1827 in Kilkenny, probably left Ireland about 1849 then married Catherine Murphy on the 9th of May 1854 in Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec (just about 45 minutes west of Montreal). It was this marriage record that first pointed me to County Kilkenny. Many Quebec marriage records often indicate the county or town where the parents are from. James Phelan’s parents were Daniel Phelan and Honora Rafter and as I later discovered they were married at St-Canice’s Kilkenny City on 21 February 1814. James Phelan and Catherine Murphy had a farm in Coteeau du Lac until 1871 when they sold it and moved to Montreal. James and Catherine had 9 children: in age from eldest to youngest: Mary Ann, Joseph Daniel, Patrick, Mary Honora Agnes (Norah), Mary Helen (Ellen), Richard, Mary Catherine (Kate), Mary Margaret (Maggie), and Thomas. Eight of the children were born in Coteau-du-lac with the exception of Thomas. I recently discovered that Thomas Phelan moved to Chicago and lived into his 90's and passed away in 1972.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 18th Jun 1827 | |
| Date of Death | 21st May 1912 | |
| Townland born | Kilkenny | |
| Spouse (First Name/s and Maiden/Surname) | Catherine Murphy | |
| Place & Date of Marriage | 9th of May 1854 in Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec (just about 45 minutes west of Montreal) | |
| Father (First Name/s and Surname) | Daniel Phelan | |
| Mother (First Name/s and Maiden) | Honora Rafter | |
