Hello,
Thank you for letting me join your group.
I'm looking for my O'Neill family in Athy. My great-great uncle, James O'Neill (born about 1822), emigrated to America about 1850. His tombstone states he's a native of Athy, Co Kildare. Is that Athy the same one that is in Laois? I want to make sure I'm looking for my O'neill's in the right place.
Leslie Eaton
Leslie:
Athy is in Co. Kildare https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athy ; but the RC parish of Athy covers part of Co. Laois https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0459 ; The index for the parish register shows that there is a gap in baptismal records from November 1816-December 1821.
I searched the subscription site Roots Ireland and the only James O'Neil/O'Neil baptismal record around that time in Athy was in April 1816. The next record was in 1831.
James Neil baptized at Athy RC church in April 1816 (exact date not shown) father Patrick Neil mother Cathy Donovan
I think it is very likely that your James was baptized in that gap period and therefore, a record is not available.
Do you have names for siblings of James. Possibly their records are available.
Roger McDonnell
Hello Roger,
Thank you for the information. James O'Neill has a younger sister, Mathilda, who I believe was born about 1832 (she seems to be very flexible in documents listing her age.) She also emigrated to the US in 1848 or earlier. There is supposed to be another brother who also emigrated, but I have no name for him, just an unmarked photograph.
Leslie Eaton
Leslie:
I checked Roots Ireland but there were no Matilda O'Neil baptismal records in Kildare or Laois around 1832.
You may want to consider a DNA test. You may get matches with third cousins who may have more info on the origins/names of the family in Ireland.
Roger
Roger,
Thank you for checking for Matilda O'Neil. I've done DNA tests but I haven't found any matches yet that could be O'Neill match. I'm still sorting through the 4th -6th cousin matches though, so I'm still hopeful since people are added almost daily.
Leslie