Hi
I live in new Zealand
I don't really know anything about my family history but would love to know.
All I know is my ancestors lived in castle island(county Kerry) and came to new Zealand in 1875 on the Edwin fox ship.
They lived in Wellington and owned a shop
My grandfather is Thomas Kearney but not sure if he came from Ireland or was born in new Zealand
Hope you can help
Thanks
Janeen Kearney (Wellington New Zealand)
Janeen:
Do you have the names of Thomas' parents? I checked the subscription site Roots Ireland for Thomas Kearney baptismal records in Castleisland and there were records in 1836 and 1841 but both seem too early formyour grandfather.
Roger McDonnell
Janeen:
Your reply to my message went to the general Ireland Reaching Out mailbox. You can just add a comment to this message thread.
I looked at the Kearney head of household listing for Castleisland civil parish as of 1852 and there were five records. The townland is the owrd in front of Castleisland. So you know yoiur family came to New Zealand and had a shop but you don't have any names. Is there a New Zealand census that might have more info? There are 60+ Kearney baptisms in Castleisland parish from 1823-1860s.
Roger
Kearney Denis Chapel Lane Castleisland Kerry
Kearney James Tullig Castleisland Kerry
Kearney John Cangullia Castleisland Kerry
Kearney John Scartaglin Castleisland Kerry
Kearney Thomas Ballyduff Castleisland Kerry
Janeen:
I saw you reply regarding James Kearney born 1824 with a Thomas Kearney and Mary Kearney. Castleisland baptismal records start in April 1823 https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0661 ; , however, the earliest James Kearney baptismal record in Castleisland RC church was in the 1850s. My guess is that James made himself younger when he boarded the ship and was actually born and baptized before April 1823.
Have you considered DNA testing? You may get matches will people who have Kearney connections and know more about the origins of the family in Ireland.
Roger
Hi Janeen,
Thanks for your work Roger. I may also be able to help. I have Kearney ancestry in the Castleisland area. As I haven't seen your reply regarding the James Kearney born in 1824 and the Mary Kearney mentioned above, could you give me more details about these? Also do you have any of Thomas' siblings names or a date of birth for him? James is a name that frequently appears in my Kearney family tree and there is one Thomas born in 1836 in Kilmurry, Castleisland. I just need a little more to go on to see if we are connected.
Best Regards,
Joan Holland
Hi Joan!
FYI We have had a systems problem for the last ten weeks where people were not notified about a comment on their message thread. The problem was fixed two days ago and the backlogged messages released. Hopefully, Janeen was notified about your comment. All the best!
Roger