Keys or Kays Surname?

[forthefamily]

I am researching my husband's family tree and have recently found out that his Great Great Grandmother was a Mary Keys.

Mary Keys (or Kays) married James Brady on June 2, 1878 at St Mary's Pro Cathedral in Dublin.  I found the record on an Irish Gen site.

On the record it shows that her parents were Francis Keys and Elizabeth of Co. Kildare.

It also shows on the 1901 and 1911 census that Mary was from Kildare.

Has anyone run across this surname in their research?

Any help much appreciated

mab

[shanew147]

On Griffith's valuation there are 2 Keys properties listed on Co. Kildare - one near to the town of Clane the other in Athy town.

see : Keys, Co. Kildare

There is also one entry as Kays, also near to Clane : Kays

These returns are dated 1852.


Shane

[shanew147]

several entries on Griffith's for various Francis Keys - but none of them are in Co. Kildare. Four in Co. Femanagh, one in Antrim.

Do you have a civil cert of the marriage for Mary ?
Should show an occupation for Francis which might help..


Shane

[Jack2227]

Couple of headstones in St Michaels Athy;

William Keys; 1920 (75)
wife-Margaret; 1928? (92)
Elizabeth Keys;  ? (83)
Margaret Keys;  ? (26)
James Keys;       ? (84)
------
Katherine Keys; Meeting Lane Athy
27/1/1966
erectecd by Peter, Peg, Lina
-----
Daniel Keys; Raheendarragh 3/1/1960 (74)
wife-Harriet; 27/11/1974 (85)
----
Elizabeth Keys; March 1960 (47)
erected by bros/sis
--------
Landed Estate Court Rentals;
Michael Keys; 1867-1871-1872
Newtown Donore Kildare
-----
=============
Jack

[forthefamily]

Thank you both for your fast replies

It doesn't seem to be a very common name in Kildare. I didn't know about this surname or the Kildare connection until just recently.

Shane I haven't got the civil cert for the marriage as yet. I just have a copy of the church registry which gives very little information I'm afraid.

mab

[shanew147]

here are the likely marriage references from the BMD Index in case you decide to order a cert at some stage.

  Name: Maria Kays
  Registration district:   Dublin North
  Event type: Marriage
  Quarter and year: Jul - Sep 1878
  Volume : 2 / Page: 491

The same references appear for a James Brady

A civil record would include occupations (groom, fathers and sometimes the bride), but wouldn't add much else - see : Details included on a Marriage Cert


Shane

[shanew147]

p.s. I'm not 100% convinced that the name of Mary's father is Francis... the priest has distinctive capital F's on other entries...

Think it may possibly be John (Joannes)... still checking...


S.

[forthefamily]

Yes it could be Joannes  I went by the top record.....the "translation". The name of the groom's father and the brides father do look somewhat the same....John then.....maybe

That could be why I can't find anything. I should know better by now....LOL


mab

[shanew147]

The priest for most of the marriages is Fr. Farrell  ..  3rd column on the 2nd page. Fairly consistent F with a clear cross-bar

When you compare then, the first names of the fathers look very similar... just a larger 1st letter on the bride's father's name


S.