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Elizabeth (Bessie) McKeough/McKeogh

Elizabeth (Bessie) McKeough/McKeogh

Born
1855-11-11 12:00:00
Died
1942-03-01 12:00:00
Gender
Female
Place of migration
Migrated to/Born in USA

Bessie was born in Killucan Westmeath on 11 Nov 1855 to Peter Mckeough/McKeogh and Ellen Cahill.  She immigrated to NYC in the 1880's and married Thomas Joseph Keegan of Kinnegad Westmeath. His father was John Keegan 1841.  Bessie had six children, but only two survived to adulthood.  Peter Lawrence Keegan, my grandfather 1891-1929 and Catherine 'Kate', 1985-1961.  

I have only a few stories about Bessie.  I do not know if she knew Thomas in Ireland   When she arrived in NYC she was approached by a woman asking,"are you the girl I sent for?"  Although she was not the 'girl' she was quick with her responce--Yes!  I don't know how that truned out, but I know she eventually worked for the Treo  Sewing company making ladies under garments.  She was my mother's favorite grandmother, but did not make the other grandmother in the family happy because she riled up the children right before bedtime.  

 

 

 

 

 

Associated communities

Westmeath

Co. Westmeath, or An Iarmhí in Irish, is located in the midlands region of Ireland.  It is home to Athlone Castle which, after a multi-million euro renovation, reopened in 2012 as a state-of-the-art, multi-sensory visitor experience.  Our county town is Mullingar and we have a population of approximately 88,396.  We look forward to helping you connect with your ancestors’ place of origin.

Other ancestors in this community

Buildings in this community

  • Quaker Island

    Location: Westmeath

    Inchcleraun, Longford

  • Fore Abbey

    Location: Westmeath

    Fore, Westmeath

  • St Marys Parish Church, Streete, Co Westmeath.

    Location: Westmeath

    St Marys, Streete, Co Westmeath

  • Bellaugh Parochial House

    Location: Westmeath

Timeline events in this community

  • 1880s

    Foundation of Ballymore GAA Club

    1884-01-01 12:00:00

  • 1830s

    County Westmeath in the 1830s

    <p>A snapshot of pre-famine local history, as described in the "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland" by Samuel Lewis, 1837. (Much of the information collected here was submitted by members of the local gentry and clergy of the time).</p>

    1837-01-01 12:00:00

  • 1830s

    May Day traditions across Ireland

    <p>Lá Bealtaine (May Day) officially heralds the beginning of the summer in Ireland. The name is said to derive from Old Irish, meaning "bright fire" (Belenus was the Celtic sun and 'healer god'). Old traditions involved lighting bonfires at sunset on Oíche Bealtaine (or May Eve - April 30) on prominent local landmarks. The Hill of Uisneach in Co. Westmeath is the most famous example. These and other rituals (such as creating a May altar) still survive, particularly in the west of Ireland. Our 19th-century ancestral piseóga (superstitions) were recorded diligently by Irish schoolchildren in the 1930s ...</p>

    1830-05-01 12:00:00