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Heaney/Lydon/Connolly

DNA testing targeted Galway area for our Heaney roots. We are planning to visit Galway this summer (2020), and would appreciate any help to make Irish connections.

Known facts: Simon and Bridget (Lydon) Heaney arrived in the US in 1864 and settled in Pennsylvania. Simon was born about 1835. Bridget was likely born in 1846 or 1850 (1900 census says January 1850; her death certificate says 1846). Bridget's parents are Michael Lydon and Annie Connolly. The 1870 census also lists a 50 year old Margaret, born around 1820. Simon's mother? The family was Catholic.

One record I found: Catholic baptism parish register ffrom Omey, Galway, Diocese Tuam, for a Bridget Lydon born 1853, Clifden, baptized 9 January 1853, Father: Thomas Lydon, Mother: Anne Connelly. Close, but Bridget would have been 12 years old when she gave birth to her first known child in the US, in March of 1865; Simon would have been 30. This is probably not the correct Bridget Lydon.

From DNA: There are a multitde of cousins in the Galway area. DNA family names include Heany/Heanue, Lydon/Lyden, Conneely/Connelly, King, Earls, Coyne, Joyce, Halloran, and Mannion. The Griffith Valuation lists the majority in the Parish of Balllynakill; townlands of Ardnagreevagh, Cloonlooaun, and Dawrosbeg. Can anyone offer help to create our Irish family tree?

e.heaney@comcast.net

1 reply

Hi Nollie,

Here's a possible baptism from rootsireland.ie/ for Simon: (it's the only one 1835 + - 10 years but 190 km from Galway)

Name:Simon HeeneyDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:02-Apr-1831Address:
Parish/District:KildalkeyGender:
CountyCo. Meath
Father:Patrick HeeneyMother:Mary SheilOccupation:
Informant 1:Connell Thomas

Informant 2:Fleming Margaret

There are 37 for Bridget Lydon 1850 + - 10 years - all from Galway (28 - 9 from Clifden R C Parish - earliest 1841 & latest 1860 - but none from Ballynakill) & Mayo (9); none have parents Michael & Ann though 

SOMETIMES they followed the Irish naming pattern in naming their own children (frist son named after father's father; second daughter after father's mother; second son after mother's father & first daughter after mother's mother) but none of the above Bridgets has parents Michael & Hannah! 

(The record for Simon above is half right!)

Can post any or all of the Clifden ones if you want them

Galway Marriages :HEANEY to:Connolly 12 (1860 to 90); King 14 (1839 to 1906); Coyne 3 1864-72; Joyce 4 1866-90; Hallora 1 1842; Mannion 0

Galway Burials Heaney 8 1868 - 1905 (3 Clifden 2 Woodford 2 Eyrecourt)

I have a cd Memorials of the Dead Galway & Mayo which has only 1 'Heanne': 

O Lord have mercy on the
soul of Nell Nee alias
Heanne who depd this
life Nov 25th 1845 aged
70 years Erected by her
son Dl Nee

From: 'this graveyard, near Renvyle Castle, is also called the Church of the Seven Sisters. There are church ruins enclosed. The Reilly monument includes carved crucifixion symbols'.

Col

 

 

 

 

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

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