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James Conley of County Cork

My great-grandfather, Henry Conley was born in Perry County, Missouri. His father, James Conley was born about 1832 in New York. We were told the family originated in county Cork.James married Elizabeth Phillips May 5, 1866 in Perry County, Missouri.We have no information on Jamesafter 1876. Henry Conley recieved a letter around 1942 that said he inherited land in Irelandbut would have to give up his American citizenship,move to Ireland, and become an Irish citizen in order to claim the land. He didn't want to move to Ireland and didn't respond to the letter. My grandmother said that some relative was a mayor in Ireland at one time but this is just hearsay.Is there any way with just this information that anyone can help me traceJames Conley's ancestors?

Mary K

8 replies

Hi Mary,

Is it possible that Henry sailed from Cork rather than being from there?

I couldn't find his Cork birth/baptism on www.rootsireland.ie/ or www.irishgenealogy.ie/; there are 2 from other counties which are 1832 - 1 from Monaghan (C of I) & 1 Antrim ( R C). Do you know his religion?

The closest Irish Census to 1876 is 1901 & he is not in that; there are no Irish death records that match his birth year either.

The other difficulty is the surname - there are 118 Connelly baptisms in Cork around 1832, but no Henrys!

Col

 

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Mary:

In addition to Col's comments, I would offer two suggestions. First, have you accessed Ancestry.com to see what records you can find on the family such as the 1870 and 1880 census or any other clues about the family. Also, you may want to consider autosomal DNA testing. Possibly you will match someone with more info on your Conley/Connelly ancestors.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you for your replies. It's James Conley I'm looking for.  Henry was born in Missouri and died in Illinois. I've found Elizabeth Phillips Conley in the 1880 census, but James is missing. I've looked on Ancestry and on Heritage as I have put family trees on both sites but there are so many named James Conley with the same birth year that it's confusing to say the least. In the 1870 census he gave New York as his birth place but the family always said he was from county Cork Ireland. I found a James Conley in New York in the 1860 census with his parents and siblings and with the same birth year, but have no idea if it's him.  I have done an autosomal DNA test and have DNA test results for my father. On the FamilyTree DNA site I have only one match as a 3rd - 5th cousin but there's more than one surname we have in common. I've contacted the matched person to ask about the Conley surname. I have no idea of what religion James was. His granddaughter was Protestant. 

Thank you again for your help and suggestions.

Mary K

There are 4 records for James around 1832 from Cork - all R C

Church BaptismConnollyJames1832Co. Cork
Church BaptismConnellyJames1830Co. Cork
Church BaptismConnellyJames1835Co. Cork
Church BaptismConellyJames1837Co. Cork

Fathers:  Patrick Dniel Patrick & John

Can send full records if you like

Col 

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you! That would great if you would send the records. Hopefully they would help decide where to look next. I've found a DNA match with a Conley from Frocess Townland, County Antrim but it could be that the match is for a different surname we share. 

Mary K

Name:James ConnellyDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:21-Jan-1830Address:
Parish/District:CHARLEVILLEGender:MaleCountyCo. Cork
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Daniel ConnellyMother:Ellen RocheOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Bartholomew Quin Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Margaret McDonnel 

Name:James ConnollyDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:28-Apr-1832Address:
Parish/District:MALLOWGender:MaleCountyCo. Cork
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Patrick ConnollyMother:Johanna CotterOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Thomas Connolly Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Ellen Cotter 

Name:James ConnellyDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:02-Mar-1835Address:
Parish/District:MITCHELSTOWNGender:MaleCountyCo. Cork
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Patrick ConnellyMother:Mary CullOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:William Lahiree Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Mary Brien

Name:James ConellyDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:02-Jul-1837Address:
Parish/District:BUTTEVANTGender:MaleCountyCo. Cork
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:John ConellyMother:Catherine BuckleyOccupation:22nd Regiment
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Maurice Brein Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Margaret McDermot 

Col

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you so much! I find it interesting that the name Roche is also connected to Conley. A DNA match to my father's Conley name is also matching a different line that my daughter is connected to with the name Roche. It's either a sign or quite a coincidence. Thank you for your help.

 

Mary

Mary K

Hello Mary,

   My great grandfather, Richard Conley, settled in Cape Girardeau County Missouri around 1884. He was born in Ireland around 1838. Have you come across a Richard in your family searches? Henry and Richard settled one county apart and were each married by Baptist ministers, so perhaps there is a connection.

 

Thanks and blessings,

David Conley

davidconley622

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