Greetings, I'm looking for information on the grandparents, and great grandparents, of Irish-American artist Georgia O'Keeffe. I believe Patrick O'Keeffe/Keeffe and Anstice Roach, of Ballyquirk, Gowran (Clara) Parish were the g-grandparents of the American artist. Would love to find additional information on any of the three families mentioned, but know these families eventually lived in Kilkenny City. Cheers, John O'Keefe
John:
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!
Can you provide the names of the grandparents and were they born in Ireland and what years?
I searched on the subscription site Roots Ireland and did not find any baptismal records for children of Patrick O'Keeffe and a mother with the surname Roach. I also did not locate a marriage record in Co. Kilkenny. I did find an 1810 marriage in Cappoquin parish Co. Waterford. The husband was Patrick Keefe and the wife Catherine Roche.
How does the surname Shortall fit in?
Roger McDonnell
Hello Roger,
Very kind of you to reply. My search and discoveries started with Pierce Keeffe (O'Keeffe), grandfather of Irish-American artist Georgia O'Keeffe. We had previous history of Pierce as a business man in Kilkenny City, along with his brother John Keeffe. All the birth records I found were from RootsIreland.ie. Each record found listed the parents as Patrick Keeffe & Anstice Roach. I found no record of the marriage of Patrick and Anstice, nor their birth records ( Anstice maybe?). I could not find the RC Parish records for many of the children, but did find the RootsIreland records. Pierce's 'Woolen and Manchester Goods' business collapsed in 1839 (near St. Canice's RC Church Kilkenny). Pierce likely met his future wife Catherine Mary Shortall (b.31 Aug 1814 St.Canice's) at that time. They were married 'out of parish' on 30 Oct 1845 at Dublin St. Catherine's - Meath St. Pierce seems to have a child named Honora, that was not from Catherine that was born earlier in 1845. I think that may be the reason for the Dublin marraige? The family immigrated to the U.S. in 1848, along with older brother Andrew, and settled in Sun Prairie, Wisconsn US. I know there were other Pierce and Andrew Keeffe's in Gowran based on findings in the Tithe Applotment and Griffith's Valuation, but this Balllyquirk family 'fits' very well for the birth period of Pierce and Andrew, and the business relationship with their brother John. Any good clues would be most appreciated, and thanks again for you reply. John O'Keefe