Canniffe/Canniff/Kenniff/O'Sullivan Bengour

[canniffe]

I am still trying to find the marriage of John Canniffe and Mary Ellen O'Sullivan in the Bengour/Bandon region of County Cork. The marriage seems to be around 1879/80/81 from the 1911 census but I can't find it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Two sons and 2 daughters emigrated to US and the names changed to Kenniff. The other 8 stayed in Ireland apart from James and John who went to Wales.

[skibbgirl]

Just about every standard source does not mention this possibility but the O'Mahony Society suggests Canniff is a form of Mahony.  I expect this would apply strictly to Cannif(fe) in West Cork, where there were two main settlements of Mahonys, Mizen Head and Kinalmeaky (Bandon).

Therefore you may want to expand your search using John Mahony. 

Sources: Padriag Ó Mathúna. "Forms of the Name." The O Mahony Journal, No. 14, 1990, pages 23 - 25.   Also Nora Hickey. "Tracing the O'Mahonys of the Diaspora: Research in Ireland." O'Mahony Society.

If someone had asked me a year ago whether people were switching back and forth from surname to agnomen in the late 1800's, I'd have said, naaaah.  That was before I went through a nightmare looking for a Driscoll who was recorded as Cadogan in civil registration in 1880 and Driscoll in the church record.  Family Search does not match agnomens. 

[canniffe]

Just noticed this reply--thank you so much,
Elaine

[Deirdre healy]

Hello
I am a granddaughter of Bridget who stayed in ireland. Have you tried the records for Enniskeane Church, Can you tell me the names of those who emigrated to the states
Deirdre

[Little Miss Logic]

Hi Deirdre. I am another Canniffe, (originally from Bengour East Newcestown) My Grandmother was Hanora Canniffe, sister of john and Julia. The best thing to do is actually to try the Newcestown parish records. Hanora married Denis Healy Bengour  East and dies in 1943 of tb leaving 6 children of whom 2 survive, my father and uncle. There are none now loferin bengour. the survuving members live in Crookstown, Blarney and Bandon town. We have family photos of Hanora's parents (on thier wedding day).