RootsChat.Com

Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Roscommon => Topic started by: Polly Page on Saturday 11 October 08 09:04 BST (UK)

Title: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Polly Page on Saturday 11 October 08 09:04 BST (UK)
This is my very first posting, so wasn't sure exactly where to go or what to ask. Any help appreciated.

I have traced my gggrandmother Catharine Kelley (married to James Kelley), born in Ballyfaron (according to English census returns) in either 1827 or 1829.
The first English census record is 1861; before that I can't find the family.

I have already signed up to the Irish Genealogy website and spent quite a few euros!! But there are so many Kelleys in the area and my biggest problem is narrowing it down - the geography (plus districts/townlands/parishes) means I could be spending a lot of money looking at the wrong records.

Is there some resource/person that could help (other than going to Ireland!)?

This Kelley (also Kelly) family settled in Crook, Co. Durham after coming to England.
That is where I was born and my grandmother used to tell all sorts of amazing stories about the Kellys when I was little.

Please help. Many thanks.

Polly ???
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: aghadowey on Saturday 11 October 08 13:20 BST (UK)
Welcome to Rootschat but researching a surname like Kelly in Ireland is difficult enough on it's own even with more details. To search for church records )if they exist) you need to know at least the parish (and probably the townland in this case).
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Polly Page on Saturday 11 October 08 14:12 BST (UK)
Thanks for the reply. I realize this is going to be a long haul to say the least.

All I know for sure at the moment is that Catharine Kelley was from Ballyfaron - whether that is a small town or what I don't know.

Her husband James (different Kelley) is only ever mentioned as coming from Co. Roscommon.

I'll have another go at the Irish Genealogy records.
----------------
My other mystery, after a couple of years of searching, is my greatgrandfather JOHN LEONARD (who does not want to be found).

On his gravestone in Co. Durham it reads that he was born in 1848 in the Parish of Arles, Co Loais. (I've not yet been able to track down Loais records.

But according to English census returns his birthdate is anywhere from 1851-1854.

He was always a mystery to my grandmother ("don't talk about the Leonards, something amiss"), disappointed my grandfather by promising to take him to Ireland with him - but never did.

My greatgrandmother was his second (of 3) wives; his first wife is a mystery.

We suspect shenanigans.

He may have left home to be a travelling showman - now that would have horrifed my grandmother!
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: aghadowey on Saturday 11 October 08 15:31 BST (UK)
Two possibilities for 'Ballyfaron' in Co. Roscommon:
Ballyfarnan (town) in parish of Kilronan (Boyle Poor Law Union)
Ballyforan (townland) in parish of Taghboy (Athlone Poor Law Union)
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Polly Page on Saturday 11 October 08 18:13 BST (UK)
Thanks again aghadowey.

I think the one I want is Ballyfarnan. From the info I already have there are two possibilities, both baptised in BOYLE.

Polly
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: OPrescott on Monday 03 August 09 21:39 BST (UK)
Polly: probably just a coincidence of  common names, but I am tracing my ggfather James Kelly presumably from Sligo c. 1842 who was orphaned and emigrated to Durham to live with relatives from Roscommon, the O'Connors before moving on with his wife Catherine (nee' O'Connor) to the US. I would be interested in what you find, as I may be looking in the wrong county, good luck.
Donald
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Polly Page on Saturday 15 August 09 18:39 BST (UK)
Hi Donald,
Sorry for late reply. Have been away. I think it's just a coincidence of names. My gggrandfather James Kelly was 52 according to the 1871 English census, married to a Catherine Kelly (same surname!) and they were living then in the Crook area of Co. Durham with 7 children.

Have you tried the Irish Family History Foundation (ifhf.brsgealogy.com)?They  have births, marriages and deaths but you do have to pay to view the records.

I've got to the point where I think a trip to Ireland is on the cards. I've hit a brick wall as regards Irish ancestor info over here.

Good luck in your searching.

Polly
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Gothraidh on Sunday 23 October 11 15:21 BST (UK)
Hi Polly,
I've just read your query about Kelly ancestry and I thought there could be a connection with my Kelly ancestry.
My g-g-grandfather Bartholomew Kelly was born c.1842 in Co.Roscommon. his father was Michael Kelly, mother's name and parish unknown.
Barty Kelly arrived in Whitehaven c.1859 and in 1860 married Mary Ann Lavery. By 1863 they had moved to Willington, near Crook where my great grandma Catherine Kelly was born and baptised at Crook RC church.
Photo of Catherine Kelly taken on her wedding day in 1889. Dress was red velvet.
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Polly Page on Tuesday 25 October 11 09:52 BST (UK)
Hi Tullagh,

What a surprise out of the blue. The photo of your Catherine Kelly is beautiful.

I've had a quick look at  the papers I already had and haven't seen a direct connection but there could well be one.     My g-g-grandmother Ann Kelly (father James, mother Catherine) was born December 1856 West Auckland, Co Durham but older siblings John, Catherine, and younger siblings William and Edward were all born in Willington.

So my g-g-grandma Ann would be pretty much contemporary with your Catherine Kelly.

There was never any mention of Whitehaven from my Gran but then we had no idea either that her mother's family lived in Willington. So there's plenty to be working with.

Of course, it could still be a coincidence - Kelly is common!

Have you any more Kelly info.? And are you in England, Ireland or Timbuktoo?
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Gothraidh on Tuesday 25 October 11 11:06 BST (UK)
Hi Polly,
My name is Godfrey and I live in what was Co.Durham but is now Gateshead Metropolitan Borough. Where do you live?
I've been to Crook and Willington quite a lot and visited the Crook RC church to look at the parish registers. They are now in Durham County Record Office, as are most of the RC registers.
I decided to recheck my Kelly baptism records for Crook RC church and I noticed that a Michael Kelly acted as Godfather for Mary Kelly in 1867. At the time my Kellys were living in Sunnybrow, which was part of Willington.
I only found one Michael Kelly on the 1871 census and he was living at Willington with his wife and family(see attached). I believe he was married in 1859 at Sunderland. So I will follow this up for more details. There may be some connection with my Kellys and Michael was only living a few streets from mine.
Anything you'd like to know or for me to find out let me know? 

Copyright image removed.  All such details have to be typed out to avoid breaching copyright.
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Gothraidh on Tuesday 25 October 11 17:45 BST (UK)
Hi Polly,
I wasn't able to attach the census page I sent because of RootsChat.com policy. So I type it for you here. 1871 census. Living at 21 Mill Street, Willington. Co.Durham. Michael Kelly mar 53 yrs colliery lab born Ireland, Hannah Kelly wife 40yrs born Ireland, sons John 9, Thomas 4, Joseph 9mths all born Willington.
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Polly Page on Tuesday 25 October 11 19:37 BST (UK)
Hi Godfrey,

As I haven't done much on the Kellys lately I'll start on getting certificates for further info. From census returns from 1861 onwards my Kellys moved a bit: Wiilington, Stavely in Derbyshire, then back to Willington/Crook/Brandon/Brancepeth.

I'm also going to go back on Irish websites.If our families are connected it will be a bit futher back. My g-g-grandparents James and Catherine were from two separate Kelly families so that could be where it's all happening.

As for me, I was actually born in Crook, lived in Gateshead and am now based in Staffordshire. I know Tyneside very well and spent many childhood holidays in Crook.

Good luck with your searching. Let me know how it goes and I'll do the same. 
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Unclehefty on Tuesday 28 August 12 06:58 BST (UK)
Good morning,

I'm researching my Wife's Family Tree and am looking for a Bartholomew Kelly/Kelley b. c.1840 (ish) allegedly in Roscommon and who emigrated to England sometime before 1871 (that's when we first pick up any record).  He married a girl called Mary Ann Elliot in Whitehaven, Cumbria before moving to Willington Co. Durham which is where he and his family are (Bart, Mary Ann, James [9 yrs], Catherine [7 yrs], Margaret [5 yrs] and Hannah [1.5 yrs]).

I would appreciate any information you can provide.

Uncle H
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Gothraidh on Sunday 02 September 12 10:54 BST (UK)
Hi Uncle H,
did you read the reply I sent you? I believe there is a strong possibility we have the same ancestors based on the information you supplied on Bartholomew Kelly.
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Unclehefty on Sunday 02 September 12 11:09 BST (UK)
Hi Uncle H,
did you read the reply I sent you? I believe there is a strong possibility we have the same ancestors based on the information you supplied on Bartholomew Kelly.
Just sent a PM to you, didn't get a message as above
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Gothraidh on Sunday 02 September 12 12:50 BST (UK)
Hi Uncle,
Thanks for your reply. What's a PM?
 I have lots of family history info.
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Unclehefty on Sunday 02 September 12 13:15 BST (UK)
Hi Uncle,
Thanks for your reply. What's a PM?
 I have lots of family history info.
Stands for personal message, look in your inbox. You can send one to me with the details
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: Gothraidh on Sunday 02 September 12 14:53 BST (UK)
Hi Uncle,
My email is *****

(*)

(*) Moderator Comment: e-mail removed in accordance with RootsChat policy,
to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.
Title: Re: Kelleys of Roscommon
Post by: joshmonk on Thursday 14 March 13 00:24 GMT (UK)
Hi all,

I'm looking for a James Kelly who was supposedly born in Kilgefin parish in Roscommon around 1834 to a Patrick Kelly and unknown mother (possible surname Moore). Has anyone come across these individuals in your research? Thanks.

Josh