Limerick born Grandmother Ellen O'Connor - Genealogists' Forum

#1 07-06-13, 09:47

My OH's grandmother's family is a mystery. Ellen O'Connor's parents (according to her Australian marriage certificate) were Patrick O'Connor and Bridget Kenneally/Kennelly.
Back in 2011 GF found Ellen's brother's birth records, John 23/6/1872 and Michael 8/3/1878 born Limerick.
Ellen had two sisters who also came to Australia also. Catherine "Katie", supposedly born 1868 at Glenaster, Ardath, Limerick married Cornelius Toohey in Sydney in 1891 and Bridget remains a mystery.
On Famsearch, I found some time ago, a marriage of Bridget Kenealy reg district Glin in 1869 vol 10, P151 No. 4179384 and
Patrick O'Conor 1869 No. 4179374 but dif Vol 15 P251 at Limerick
- there is also a birth of Ellen O'Connor 1869 Vol 15 P 418 No. 4187286.
I purchased the birth certs of John and Michael which I have currently misplaced

Ellen McDonagh's daughter Bridget birth certificate says born on 8/7/1897, mother Ellen O'Connor born Limerick Ireland aged 27.
I would really like to make progress and hope someone remembers better than I do as how to proceed .. thanks. Julie

kiterunner · #2 07-06-13, 10:21

Their surname is shown as Connors on FamilySearch for Catherine's birth - 12 May 1868 Ardagh, Limerick, father Patrick Connors, mother Bridget Kennelly.
Then FamilySearch also has the birth of a Mary Connors, 27 Jun 1870, Limerick, father Patrick Connors, mother Bridget Kennelly Connors.

And the birth of a Francis Connors 27 Apr 1866 Ardagh and Athea, Limerick, father Patrick Connors, mother Bridget Kennelly.
And the birth of an Ellon Connors (female) 13 Jan 1864 Ardagh, Limerick, father Patrick Connors, mother Bridget Kennelly.

Have you got a birth certificate or baptism for your Ellen from around 1867, or could she be the Ellon born 1864?

kiterunner · #3 07-06-13, 10:29

On your other thread about this family, you said that you found a widow Bridget O'Connor at Ardagh with a son Frank (Francis) age 46, so this looks likely to be right, doesn't it?

http://www.genealogistsforum.co.uk/F...?t=7498&page=2

Not sure if you already have John's marriage? Again from FamilySearch, John Connors (age 37) married Mary Jane McKellar (age 38) 28 Feb 1916 Hobart, Tasmania, father Patrick Connors, mother Bridget Connelly Connors, spouse's parents Samorn Johnson and Caroline Davie Johnson. John single, Mary Jane a widow. If this is correct then John shouldn't be the John P O'Connor who you found on the 1911 census at Ballaghbehy with parents Patrick and Bridget, because that John had a wife Margaret. (Also it looks as though that family have a load of other people with them in 1901 who don't match the people in your family.)

kiterunner · #4 07-06-13, 10:34

Frank and his family are shown as Roman Catholic on the 1911 census.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.i.../nai002775624/

If Ellon was born in Jan 1864 then Patrick and Bridget probably got married before 1864 and the civil registration of Roman Catholic marriages in Ireland only started in 1864, so we aren't likely to find a civil registration of their marriage.

#5 07-06-13, 10:34

I don't have a birth cert for Ellen .. her marriage certificate on 1st July 1896 gives her age 26 and her death certificate 12th May 1932 age 62 .. so both are born 1870.
From that info Kate I am wondering if the Ellen born 1864 died and the Mary Connors born 27 Jun 1870 was actually her, Mary Ellen. My mother in law the eldest daughter was Mary Ellen.
Catherine "Katie" was definitely a sister and you found a Patrick and Bridget on the 1901 and 1911 Census with Francis and his family .. this is giving me goose bumps .. I really feel we have found her.

Shona · #6 07-06-13, 10:36

Kennelly is a variant of Connolly.

#7 07-06-13, 10:36

Wow Kate John in Tassie .. more goose bumps oh I wish my husband and his sister were alive to share this with .. but our niece will be delighted .. at at 35 she has just had her first baby ... called .. more goosebumps .. Ellen Mary .. isn't that wonderful.

kiterunner · #8 07-06-13, 10:40

Looking closely at that 1911 census entry, it looks as though the number of Bridget's children has been written in as 11 born, 11 still living, and rubbed out (because the information wasn't required for widows.)

#9 07-06-13, 10:41

Shona that is wonderful .. one of my best friends is a Connolly .. she thought the world of Peter, so she will be chuffed with the connection .. her youngest dau will be quite rude lol Julie

kiterunner · #10 07-06-13, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenterfieldjulie

and you found a Patrick and Bridget on the 1901 and 1911 Census with Francis and his family .. this is giving me goose bumps .. I really feel we have found her.

Can you point me at the 1901 census entry, please, Julie?