I am looking for any info regarding the surname Keys or Keyes. In particular, a John Keys born around 1830 and emigrated in 1853 to New York along with Margaret Keys, who was most probably a sister born around 1835. Any info at all regarding the Keys family of Laois would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Tom Keyes
Tom:
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!
I located these two records on the subscription site Roots Ireland. No idea if this is your family but you have a lead to pursue. Can you determine their parents names from USA records?
Roger McDonnell
Name:John KeysDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:26-May-1828Address:"n/r"Parish/District:AGHABOEGender:MaleCountyCo. Laois
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:William KeysMother:Cath MoylanOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:John DelanySponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Judy Keys
Name:Margaret KeysDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:02-Sep-1832Address:PastureParish/District:AGHABOEGender:FemaleCountyCo. Laois
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:William KeysMother:Catherine MoylanOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:John GormanSponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Mary Dooling
Thank you Roger for your prompt reply. I believw my Keys' came to NY in June 1853 on the Kossuth , their ages are listed as 23 for John and 17 for Margaret. John is listed as a laborer and Margaret as a spinster. John marries Mary Dollard in NY in Dec og 1853. The next record I found is John and Mary having a son, John William, in Chicago in 1856. Margaret Keys is listed s sponsor. By the 1860 census John and family are in Brooklyn where they stayed. I don't know what happened to Margaret. I have never been able to ascertain the names of John and Margarets parents. I believe John passed between 1890 and 1900 but can't locate Johns death cert. I really would love to find out where in Ireland my family originated from, I know there are several Keys' in the Laois-Kilkenny-Tipperary border areas. A number of years ago I took a ydna test from FTDNA which connected me to the Fitzpatrick clan of Ossory, albeit many generations past. That is why I believe my family comes from that area. Thanks again for your info. Tom