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Lost in a sea of Kellys!

The only information I have of my 2nd great-grandfather is that he fought in the US Civil War from about 1862-1865, came from Galway, Ireland and was born about 1844.  I have found no known family members from his early life. No parents or siblings show on any records I've found, not that I can verify, anyhow.

I've had two attempts by a genealogical team to trace him back to Ireland to find family connections.  They couldn't find any either. There is a chance of a baptism in Oughteraud (?), Galway, that is around the time of his birth, but how can I prove it's MY James Kelly??? 

If I hadn't found his discharge papers in my grandmother's papers, I wouldn't even know this much.  I can't believe my proud Irish family never had stories about him coming to this country.  I don't remember ever hearing anything about him.  He is most certainly my family research brick wall. I guess what I'm asking for is a point in Ireland where I can begin my search efforts.

 

Michelle

7 replies

SopranoGardener:

Unfortunately, without more info on parents names or siblings, gravestone, obituary etc., there is no place to start.

Have you taken a general DNA test? You may have matches with fourth cousins that descend from a sibling and that family does know where there Kellys came from. We can't recommend a company but you want to test with a company that provides shared matches (even if you have to pay additional). A shared match is a situation where you and your DNA match also match with a third person. One or more of the matches may have trees which can provide clues.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Before turning to Irish records, it's a good idea to research everything you can in American records and work back. Where did he live in the US?  His wife and children's names? His death date if you know it? If you can send those details, that might help us assist you.

 

glanvil3@aol.com

Patricia, my 2nd great-grandfather, James Kelly, joined the Union Army in Trenton, New Jersey, February, 1865.  He was mustered out in Danville, KY, where he met his wife, Margaret A. Cahill, in Feb 1868. Their first son, William Thomas was born there in November 1868.

By the 1870 census, they live in  Sedalia, MO, where James owns a grocery store for 14 years.  Their daughter, Mary Belle (Mollie) was born in Sedalia in April of 1871.  James died of consumption in July of 1882, in Sedalia.

Mollie married Wilbur Walden, and, eventually moved to St. Louis abt. 1889, soon followed by her mother and brother.

I have received copies of Margaret Kelly's Civil War Pension records and learned of her brother and sister-in-law, who also lived in Sedalia.  I couldn't find any evidence of James' family.

I plan on contacting Sedalia to see if there are any business records of the grocery store that may have a full name for James, middle initial or name, or find that James was his middle name.

Michelle

Roger,

I have done autosomal DNA for myself and five of my siblings, as well as YDNA for a brother and a male cousin on my father's side.

Frankly, I have yet to understand working with DNA.  It really confuses me.  I am trying to learn more through webinars and other online classes.  But, for now, it's not my favorite tool.

Sopranogardener

Michelle

Hi, Have you looked into finding the records of the Emmet Guards? Perhaps the diocese of Jefferson holds them.  It looks like your James was a founding member.

glanvil3@aol.com

Thank you, Patricia.  I will look into them.

Michelle

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