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Family name change from Reidy to Reedy?

I live in the state of Iowa in the USA and my last name is Reedy.  When young I was told, that we were originally from Cleggan, Ireland.  I have been able to trace my family to Cleggan, Galway County Ireland, However the only Reedy Ireland family information I have been able to find online is:

per https://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/patrick-reedy-24-1l7twc

Patrick Reedy, Born in Cleggan Bay, Ireland on 1823. Patrick Reedy married Mary Tierney and had 3 children. He passed away in Clifden, Galway, Ireland, 

  • Husband - Patrick, Reedy, 1823-?,
  • Wife - Mary, Reedy(Tierney), 1827-1890
  • Son - Martin,Reedy, 1859/05/04-1945
  • Daughter - Mary, Reedy, 1861-1926
  • Daughter - Anne,Reedy, 1866-?

 

Martin's birth/death information matches my great-great grandfather and he entered the USA and settled in Iowa in 1881, while the rest of the family stayed in Ireland, I think. 

Then my Reedy family appears to disappear and the next data I have found is from the Ireland 1911 - Census, which states: "that there were a total of 67 people" in Cleggan.

Along with these Cleggan enteries:

  • Surname,Forename,Townland/Street,DED,County,Age
  • Reidy, Jane, Clifden,Clifden,Galway, 46
  • Reidy, John, Ballynew,Cleggan,Galway, 60
  • Reidy, Patrick, Ballynew,Cleggan,Galway, 48
  • Reidy, Mary, Ballynew,Cleggan,Galway, 48
  • Reidy, Thomas, Ballynew,Cleggan,Galway, 18
  • Reidy, Martin, Ballynew,Cleggan,Galway, 16
  • Reidy, Mary Anne, Ballynew,Cleggan,Galway, 14
  • Reidy, John, Ballynew,Cleggan,Galway, 12

Interesting enough, my family in the US in the past had popular names of Patrick, Martin, John, Thomas, and Mary as well.

My question:  Do you think the Reidy family from the Ireland 1911 census are relatives of my above Reedy family?  Reidy possibly Americanized to Reedy?

I hope to travel to Ireland in the next few years.

thank you,
Dean

DeanReedy@gmail.com

4 replies

Dean,

The spelling Reedy was well established in East County Galway in the 1850's.

I attach detail of records from that period. 

The surname "Reidy" apparently originated in Counties Clare and Tipperary and spread from there.

A Sub. Constable of Police in Clifden in 1857 named Maurice Reedy, so you can see how spelling can be influenced.

Regards,

McCoy

I am a bit confused,

Since Patrick and Martin Reedy were both born in Cleggan 1823 & 1859 respectively.  The Griffith's valulation 1840-1850 reports have the Reidy family there at same time, and the first names are the same, is it correct to assume that they are the same family with two different spelling dependent upon source records? or are the Reidys in Cleggan not related to my ancestral Reedys from Cleggan?  

 

thank you for your patience,

Dean

DeanReedy@gmail.com

Dean,

It would appear that your family were "Reidy" and not Reedy. I attach further record for Ballynew.

Civil records in Ireland are from January 1st 1864, with the exception of Protestant marriages which are from 1845.

Church records vary and are normally from around 1850. 

I attach records from the Petty Sessions Courts in Clifden where the name "Reedy" is used.

The following Sites are available free  www.askaboutireland.ie - Griffith's Valuation and www.irishgenealogy.ie ; -  Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Ubfortunately, may people did not report births and deaths to the local Registrar.

Regards,

McCoy

Update:  After searching the local parish microfiched records, I have found instances of my family name spelled multiple ways, Reedy, Reidy, and Riady, it appears to be dependent upon the priest of the time of recording the record.

Interesting.

 

 

DeanReedy@gmail.com

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