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Mc Kennas of Kilnaleck Co Cavan

CavanCrosserlough (Cavan)

I know my GGF William Mc Kenna was born in Monaghan in about 1837 (from Census records) and worked as a baker in the town of Kilnaleck in Co Cavan.  He married Margaret Maguire in 1878 in Crosserlough RC church. Witness Patt Lynch and Rose Geary.  His children William, Maryanne, Alice and Francis James were all born in Kilnaleck.  William died in in Kilnaleck on 11th Feb 1916 aged 79 according to his death certificate.  I visited Kilnaleck last year but could find no record of his death in the churchyard in the RC church of Crosserlough.  I know his father was also William Mc Kenna but cant find any information on his mother or siblings.  He was 41 when he married so I wonder if he was living in Kilnaleck and working as a baker prior to his marriage or perhaps he left Ireland with his family during the famine years and returned later to marry.  I would love to find out more about him if anyone has any information I would be most grateful.  Thank you.

AMM

2 replies

Hi Amm,  

McKennas in Monaghan are very plentiful, so it is a small consolation that he moved to Cavan!!  I looked at their marriage cert, their witness was Rose Heary.  It does not state that his father had died when they married so I am presuming he was still alive in 1878, I had a quick look at https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/ and concentrated on the districts in Co. Monaghan looking for a death for a suitable William (do include Cootehill), nothing was readily evident, but you may wish to do a detailed search.  Was his father also a baker?

William was a shopkeeper when he died in 1916, his wife surviving, (I looked for her death record but could not find it), there may have been an obituary written up in 'The Anglo Celt', at https://www.irishnewsarchive.com it would be worth taking out a subscription even for a short time, if his death was noted more details of his life and relatives may be included, look at the Kilnaleck news and the diferent societies.  Also look for an obituary for her.  

While you did not find a headstone for him, had you contacted the local churches and undertakers, they may hold burial records, find out when these graveyards opened as there maybe a more ancient graveyard hidden/closed locally (I am not from the area myself).  If William was not from the area he may have buried with the Maguires which may not be in the immediate area, they may have had a traditional burial site many miles away. I have spent many hours looking for graves, seduced by the main surnames on the stones, praying to my ancestors to guide me, when I have often literally stumbled across what I needed and realising then who they buried with.  My own family buried in Moybologue, passing 3 local graveyards on their way there.  

I hope I have given you a little more to look at.  Regards and best of luck.  Carmel O'Callaghan

Bailieborough CavanIrelandXO Volunteer

Dear Carmel

 

Thank you for your 'take; on this.  I have been scouring the records for years to no avail.....its like he was beamed down from Mars!  

I will contact the local undertakers. That is good advice.  And I will keep an open mind about where he may be buried.  His family came from Emyvale but thats all I know.  His wife my GGM lived on until 1942 apparently never having a day sick in her life!  I have found her death notification in the papers and her headstone in Deansgrange (she went to live with her daughter in Dublin) .  I checked the Ango Celt and there was no obit for  William Mc Kenna.  I am not sure if his father was a baker but will have a look for his death record.  

With thanks

Annemarie

AMM

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