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Francis William Kerr

ArmaghLoughgilly (Armagh)

My GGrandfather Francis was baptized in Loughgilly Parish RC church Oct 14, 1833, his parents were Edward Kerr and Sarah Campbell (can't find marriage records..), Edwards parents were listed as Michael Kerr and Ellen (McNally? McNeely?) of Co. Armagh. Edward had a sister Sally who married Thomas Irwin on April, 1834 in Loughgilly RC Parish, witnesses were John Kerr and Michael Kerr.  Sally and Thomas had a daughter Sarah Irwin who was baptized in Loughgilly RC Parish on March 12, 1837. 

Francis had 3 sibling baptized in Loughgilly RC Parish -  Roseanna on May 8, 1836; Nelly on Nov 18, 1838 and Marian on May 21, 1841.  In 1842 Edward and Sally along with Francis and Roseanna emmigrated to Canada, Nelly and Marian were not with them. Another son Edward was baptised in St. Johns RC Church in Perth, Ontario on Sept 18, 1843; Sally Kerr (Campbell ) died in Perth on March 23, 1844. 

-- I can't find any records of Nelly and Marian other than their baptisms

-- I'd like to find a connection to the present Kerr line in Co. Armagh

pete2020@live.com

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Loughgilly’s baptism & marriage records cover the years 1825 – 1844 and 1849 onwards. If Edward & Sarah married in Loughgilly before 1825 then there is no record to find. Tradition was to marry in the bride’s church (assuming they attended different churches) and another possibility is that Sarah was from a neighbouring parish, and probably one which has no records for the period you need ie pre 1833.

Nelly & Marian’s absence from the family when they emigrated suggests they may have died. Unfortunately death registration did not start in Ireland till 1864 and most RC churches didn’t keep burial records (there are none for Loughgilly) so if they died, there is probably no record of those events.

Possibly DNA testing may be a way of matching with any Kerrs in the area today. Family Tree DNA reportedly has more people with Ulster roots than any other company. That obviously increases the chances of finding a match. You might want to try them or, if you have already tested, you can transfer your results to them for no fee.

The North of Ireland Family History Society is running an Ulster DNA project in conjunction with FTDNA and can offer testing kits at a reduced price.  http://www.nifhs.org (Go to DNA project on the website).

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

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