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Pierce Holohan and Mary Purcell

KilkennyCastlecomer (Kilkenny)

Looking for information on the history/families of my third great grandfather and grandmother Pierce Holohan (abt 1820 - Oct 20, 1866) and Mary Purcell (abt 1818 - ?). Pierce (Percy) and Mary had three sons and four daughters all born in the Castlecomer area, and I've found Catholic parish records for most baptisms.I believe theylived in Firoda. There are Pierce Holohans on two Griffiths Valuation but I'm not sure if it's him. The entire family emigrated to New York City in the 1850s, and they appear on the 1860 US Federal Census living in Manhattan.

I've love to hear more about the Holohans and Purcells from that time, any history on what the area was like when they left, and about any current family connections. I see that there's a Holohan's newsagent shop in Castlecomer so perhaps a distantrelative. Thanks very much!

claudean7@gmail.com

5 replies

Hi Claudean,

Here are the closest matches to 1820 birth/baptism for Pierce from any county on www.rootsireland.ie/:

Name:Pierce HolohanDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:23-Jan-1814Address:Newtown KilrushParish/District:FRESHFORDGender:MaleCountyCo. Kilkenny
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:John HolohanMother:Mary EnnisOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Jonathon Mulhall Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Mary Phelan 

Notes:

[S][CHILD GIVEN AS PIERSE]

Name:Pierce HolahanDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:27-Dec-1827Address:NewhouseParish/District:THOMASTOWNGender:MaleCountyCo. Kilkenny
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Pierce HolahanMother:Nancy NaryOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Mary Drea Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Marcus Connell 

roots has 47 birth/baptism Holahan (+ surname variants) birth / baptisms from Castlecomer R C 1812-1906, 16 Holohan marriages 1830 to 1873 & no burials

Let me know if you want specifics of any of the above

Col

 

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Col,

Thanks very much for all the information. The DOB I have for Pierce is just from the one US Federal Census, and they're often wrong - based on a guess or even asking a neighbor, so either may be him. The Catholic Parish Register baptisms that I've found are for six out of their seven children: Martin 1836; Patrick 1841; Thomas 1845; twins Mary and Julia 1848 and Ann 1851. But my great great grandmother is Catherine I cannot find hers. Her DOB is around 1849, which would make sense with the others. Might you be able to find hers? 

A question - all these records list Castlecomer as the baptism location. Are they just referring to the parish or is likely the town of Castlecomer? I'd love to identify the actual church where they were all baptized, and if it's still there.

Claudia

 

claudean7@gmail.com

Here she is:

Name:Catherine HolohanDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:10-Sep-1843Address:FirodaParish/District:CASTLECOMERGender:FemaleCountyCo. Kilkenny
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Pierce HolohanMother:Mary PurcellOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Michael Lyn Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Honor Ryan 

Notes:

[E][SP2 GIVEN AS HONORA, FATHER GIVEN AS PIERSE] [STIPEND 2-6]

Not sure about the church question but here are a couple of email addresses for you to ask about which church the baptisms were done in

Parish Contacts Church of the Immaculate Conception Castlecomer

  • Rt. Rev. Mgr. Michael Ryan P.P. V.G.

    Tel: 056 444 1262
    Mobile: 086 369 3863
    Email: castlecomer@ossory.ie

    Col

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Col,

How fantastic! I've ben searching for her for ages! I see now that I had her approximate DOB wrong - faulty census info per usual. I so appreciate all of your help - what a great resource this community is. Will follow up on the church  - my brother will be visiting the area and it would be a great addition to his trip.

Thansk again,

Claudia

claudean7@gmail.com

Claudia, I have the following people in my family tree:  Mary Purcell b abt 1856, brother James b 1851, sister Ann b 1853 and brother Martin. All children of Tobias Purcell and Anne Kelley. All were born in Clogh, Castlecomer. Mary married Edward Ned Ring in Clogh. Ann married James Ryan. Ned and Mary emigrated to  US in 1896. 

It may be a coincidence on the names, but theIrish and English have a habit of reusing the names over and over again.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Tim Miller 

 

Tim.miller3521…

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