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Connolly Family in Clifden

GalwayClifden (Galway)

Looking for help in researching my Connolly family in/around Clifden. My g-grandfather John Connolly emigrated in 1844 at age 11. Family history says he's only one of 9 children to have survived. Parents reportedly named Thomas Connolly and Honora Joyce. We know nothing about parents or siblings. John Connolly is buried in a small West Virginia Catholic cemetery along with many others from Clifden and Galway (as their tombstones attest). His wife (n McGinnis) emigrated from County Mayo.

Since parish records cannot be found prior to 1839, and civil records much later, finding contemporay marriage, birth, baptism, and death records have been difficult. There is some evidence of Thomas and Honora having interests in property (rent rolls, house valuations, and in Griffith's) or listed on loan relief rolls, we cannot be certain those named are John Connolly's parents as the Connolly name is so common in the area.

Any assistance/information is welcome. Thanks in advance.

Paul

pmoore1504@gmail.com

2 replies

Paul, I have a similar search.  I am trying to find out more about the Irish heratige of my Great Grandparents, John Connolly and Hanora Joyce. I have seen Hanora spelled Honora, Hanna, and possibly Honor.  I believe that they were both born in Clifden, and married sometime between 1859-1863, which would be the same time period that they emigrated to America and soon thereafter taking residence in upstate New York. Their first son Bartholomew may have been born in Ireland before they emigrated.  If you or anyone else has some information about them, such as living relatives, I would really appreciate a post! --Pat

Here's some more of the information that I have:

Hanora Joyce; 1842–1915

      BIRTH DEC 1842 • Connemara, County Galway, Ireland

      DEATH 3 JUN 1915 • Dolgeville, Herkimer, New York, USA

John Connolly; 1829–1904

      BIRTH DEC 1829 • Clifden, Letterfrack, Connemara, County Galway, Ireland

      DEATH 4 NOV 1904 • Dolgeville, Herkimer, New York, USA

 

 

 

 

 

 

IrelandXO member

Pat, your family's given names confirm the Irish used the same names over and over and over...... About Honora, you'll often see "Nora" used as a nickname. Unfortunately, none of my Connolly/Joyce ancestors wound up in upstate New York, so I don't think there's a relation and I don't have any information about your ancestors.

My Irish family settled in and around the small Irish community of Kingsville, Randolph County, now West Virginia before and just after the Civil War. Many also lived around Elkins, the largest town in Randolph County, and some lived in the neighboring Barbour and Upshur counties. The two main Catholic cemeteries in Randolph County--in Kingsville and in Elkins--are filled with immigrants and their families from Clifden and Galway. Many have that on their tombstones.

Paul

pmoore1504@gmail.com

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