Brenan (Brennan)

Dear njsunsh:

There is a church baptism record for a William Brenan baptised in Castlecomer parish to parents Denis Brenan and Mary Tool on 25 April 1814.  Sponsors were listed as Michael Brenan and Margaret Boot.

The digitised image is located in the left top corner of the page here:  https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000635329#page/28/mode/1up

As to Mary O'Keefe, there are 3 possibilities in the following parishes:  Gowran, Templeorum and St. Patrick's.  Interestingly enough, there is an O'Keefe family with two sons born in the 1814 and 1815 years in Castlecomer whose parents are:  Patrick O'Keefe and Eleanor Brenan.  

It would appear that Castlecomer may be a good place to start unless you have other information..  Did William Brennan and Mary O'Keefe marry in Ireland or in the US? 

I see a marriage record for a William Brenan and a Mary Keefe in Thomastown parish dated 10 February 1841.  Witnesses to this marriage were:  John Reddy and Catherine Pendergast.  The record also notes "Knockanore" which is a townland in Thomastown parish.  This is most likely where  this Mary Keefe resided.  If this is the correct couple, then Mary Keefe was most likely a native of Thomastown parish and resided in Knockanore.  The tradition here was that brides almost always married in their home parish.  

This record can be viewed at the link below: https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000631965#page/158/mode/1up

The digitised images of the above are available on the National Librrary of Ireland website under the parish registers for free.  The transcriptions that I noted are availabe to view (fee paying) through Roots Ireland.  

 

Please let me know if you need any further information.  I will try to get volunteers from the particular areas to meet with you if possible.

Kind regards,

 

Jane

  

 

Jane

Thank you for the information. The marriage record for William Brenan and Mary (O') Keefe in February 1841 are indeed my 3rd  great grandparents. As for the baptism record, that I am unsure of.  If the baptism record is correct than my 3rd great-grandparents would have married later in life. Wiiliam would have been around 27  years old when he married.  From the trail that I have been  following I believe that he was born in 1824 and his parents were William Brenan and 

Honore Prendergast

Honore Prendergast

BIRTH1790 Bohernagore, Clogheen, Co. Tipperary, Ireland

DEATH1855  Ardfinnan, Tipperary, Ireland

At the very least, I believe I am following the correct trail. 

I can't wait to visit Ireland and to be able to walk in the same area where they were from.

Thanks,

Ann

Hi Anne:

 

I'm glad to be of some assistance.  Please keep us posted as to your travel plans.  I will see if I can ask a volunteer to meet with you if it suits.  You can email me directly at:  jhalloranryan@irelandxo.com 

 

All the best,

Jane

I'm wondering if we might have some kind of connnection.  My great, great, great grandfather was Edward Brennan (Brenan) born circa 1808 in Kilkenny.  He worked the Leincester mines - married Julia (Judith?) Fitzpatrick and they emigrated with their first son, Laurence born circa 1838 to Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.  Children born in PA:  Andrew, Patrick Edward (Paddy-Ned), Elizabeth, Edward, and Anna/Annie.

Thank you!

Patti Brennan

Patti7226,

We might be related but through my research I have yet. I have located a distant cousin in Nova Scotia Canada.

I'll be in Ireland for a weekMarch 15/21st and hope to get to Kilkenny as a side trip.

Ann

 

Hi Ann:

 

Please let me know if I can be of any assistance while you are in Ireland.

 

All the best,

 

Jane