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Looking for Conaty

My ancestor Richard Conaty born in County Cavan around 1805. I can't figure out the parish. He was a catholic. He migrated to America around 1826, landed in New York and stayed there for ten years. (Possible indentured servant) He then prchased land in Michigan and raised seven children. He married Rosanna Keen, Kena, or Keena either in Ireland or in New York. Her birth is listed as Ireland as well. I have a death certificate for their son but I cannot make out the mother's maiden name but it looks like Rosanna Keena. I cannot find any records to prove Richard was born in Ireland or where other than US census records. He came over pre-famine. He did not go through Ellis Island. It appears he came with  brothers or uncles Thomas Conaty and Bernard Conaty. All born within years of each other. All three conaty men had children named Richard Conaty. Seeing as that is not a typical Irish name or popular should I say it makes me think they are all related. All three are on the same passenger lists so I am sure they are related and came to America together. IF anyone can help with anyway of determining what parish or any records I would appreciate it. I posted a copy of a family tree print out and a copy of the son's death certificate so if anyone can read the last name of Rosanna I would love that.

Rebecca Conaty Bruce

2 replies

Rebecca:

Finding RC church records back to the early part of the 19th century is difficult. I searched on the subscription site Roots Ireland and did not find a record for Richard Conaty.

The surname Conaty had some variant spellings such as Conaghty, Connatty and Conerty. I looked at two sources of records-the Tithe listings from the 1820s and the 1855 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing. The first two links are the Conaty and Conaghty Tithe records. No Richard Conaty and the parishes are somewhat spread out.

http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/results.jsp?…

http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/results.jsp?…

Here are the Griffith records.

SourceSurnameFirst NameTownlandParishCounty 

GriffithConaghtyJohnCrahardAnnaghCo. Cavan

GriffithConaghtyJohnKillymullinDrungCo. Cavan

GriffithConaghtyMichaelDrumaveil N. /t/coote. /chuDrumgoonCo. Cavan

GriffithConaghtyPatrickBarconny (Nugent)CastlerahanCo. Cavan

GriffithConaghtyPatrickDrumgoreDrumlummanCo. Cavan

GriffithConaghtyPatrickLisannyDrumlummanCo. Cavan

GriffithConaghtyPhilipDrumgoreDrumlummanCo. Cavan

GriffithConatyThomasCorp. Lands/t/beltu. /churcAnnaghCo. Cavan

GriffithConertyBryanCorronaghMunterconnaughtCo. Cavan

GriffithConertyMichaelCorronaghMunterconnaughtCo. Cavan

GriffithConertyThomasLackanmoreDennCo. Cavan

GriffithConertyThomasCorronaghMunterconnaughtCo. Cavan

GriffithConnattyBernardKilnaleck/t/kilnaleckCrosserloughCo. Cavan

The surname Keena is mostly found in Co. Westmeath  I searched the subscription site Roots Ireland and di find a Rose Keena record but without further evidence, we can't be sure if it is for your ancestor. I did not see the death certificate that uou mentioned.

Rose Keena baptized December 11 1809 Milltown RC parish father John Keena mother Margaret Gillin

Have you considered DNA testing?

Let me know what questions you have.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer
My husband is kin to the Conatys! His were from Crosserlough county Cavan. Are you on ancestry? I have a Conaty tree. Kathrine McMahon. His family also came early. Both Thomas James Conaty and 2 brothers including Bernard were Catholic priests and the former passed away as the Bishop of Monterey, California. I have spent hours and hours on this tree because Thomas’ mother was Alice Lynch and a sister, I believe, to my husband’s ggrandmother, Mary Lynch. All of the Conatys are buried in Taunton, Mass where they first emigrated. Our Lynch married a Thomas McMahon and they emigrated to Java, Wyoming, NY sometime before 1823 bc their first daughter, Katherine, was born in Chautauqua, NY in that year. I would love to compare notes! kathrinewmc@gmail.com
kathrinewmc@gm…

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