O'Connells of Kilcullen and Newbridge

[steve-o]

I would like to contact a member of the O'Connell family from Kilcullen.  Dr. Michael O'Connell who practices in Newbridge, Brendan O'Connell who owns the Brendan O'Connell insurance, main street, Kilcullen, and Nessa (O'Connell) Dunlea are siblings any of whom I would like to contact by email.  Indeed I would love to speak to anyone in those families.  Just to make contact would be wonderful.  My reason is to verify that I am a distant relative, and to ask about the O'Connell who emigrated to the USA in 1880.  I want to find out if he had any siblings who also came to the USA, either before him or subsequent to him.  If you know any of the aforementioned families, please ask one of them to email me, or ask for permission to send me an email address where I can contact them.  Thanks.

[kated]

Look for them in the phone book...

mmm.eircom.ie/phonebook/

Why not give them a call?

Kate

[Christopher]

Hello Steve,

Did you make contact with the McConnells from Kilcullen?

Best Wishes, Christopher

[steve-o]

Thank you for your interest, Christopher.  No I was not able to contact anyone in the O'Connell family directly.  I did send a letter to Dr. Michael O'Connell, but I got no reply and the letter did not come back--so I assume it was delivered.  Also I had an intermediary speak to Brendan O'Connell but I was told that Brendan was having some sort of family difficulty and had no time to email me.  After that I had some serious family medical problem and lost much of my enthusiasm for inquiry.  Temporarily I abandoned the search for communication.  Although I did think it a good suggestion to telephone someone in the family, I just thought it would be very awkward and uncomfortable to talk by phone.  So that plan was delayed or abandoned.  Now I am not pursuing anything other than hoping for a reply via email.

[Christopher]

Hello Steve,

I am sorry to hear about the serious family medical problem. I hope everything is all right now. Everyone loves a chat on the phone. Not too long ago I helped someone trace living relations. I had to phone a young man who the last time I had met was as a boy in his teens. We had never had a long conversation in those days but I was friendly with his parents. When I made the phone call we did have a long conversation about his family. I would say to you "Go ahead and phone Dr Michael O'Connell. You may be surprised at the response. Some people hate writing letters. Never be awkward. The worst that can happen is that he may hang up on you. Since you are in your own home you can make yourself a cuppa or have a glass of something stronger to relieve the shattered nerves if that happens but I doubt that will happen. I have a hunch you my have a pleasant conversation. Steve, Saz and myself are distant relatives but we have great crack amongst ourselves on the boards here. Go for it.  "   

All the Best, Chris