Kelleys of Roscommon

[Polly Page]

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

[aghadowey]

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).

[Polly Page]

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!

[aghadowey]

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)

[Polly Page]

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

[OPrescott]

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

[Polly Page]

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

[Gothraidh]

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.

[Polly Page]

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?