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Sheedy/McNamara in Ballyporeen

Hello all!

Trying to trace my Irish roots. My grandfather was Michael Francis Sheedy (1893-1949) and emigrated to the USA I believe when he was around 20 years old. His father was Henry Sheedy, born in 1860, and his mother was Anna Mara (Meara), born in 1866..Anna's siblings were Daniel (b.1860), John (b.1868), and Michael (b. 1878). I have been told that Michael was one of 11 children, but have zero information. He was from Ballyporeen. I am hoping someone may know something about the family. He married Bridget Ahearne from Mitchelstown, County Cork. Thank you in advance! 

Donna Sheedy

USA

Donna Sheedy

8 replies

Donna:

Looks like the surname in Ireland was Sheehy rather than Sheedy.

The family was not from Ballyporeen but rather from North Tipperary in the parish of Kilmastulla.

The 1911 census indicates Anne had five children and only three were living in 1911.

I located Michael's birth record  but he is not in the 1901 and 1911 censuses unless he was Timothy.

Let me know if you have questions.

Roger McDonnell

See third record for marriage in 1888   https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_re…

See first record at this link for Michael's civil birth record   https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_retur…

1901 census http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Tipperary/Burgesbeg/Go…

1911 census http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Tipperary/Burgesbeg/Go…

1915 death of Anne fourth record  https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…

1917 death of Henry seventh record  https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hello Roger,

Thank you so much for researching my inquiry. This does raise many questions for me. Perhaps the family moved to Ballyporeen at some point? And why did Michael

disappear from the censuses? So strange. So different from the oral history passed down...

I will continue to research this new development. Thank you again for all of your efforts!

Regards,

Donna Sheedy

 

 

 

Donna Sheedy

Donna:

I was very surprised at some of the info I was uncovering and questioned whether I had the right family. 

One of the two children who died was Anne born January 26 1892 and died five hours later

See sixth record for Anne.https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_retur…

see top record  https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…

You will see Bushfield in most records which I believe was a local place name and Gortnaskehy was the official townland name.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Roger,

I have come to the conclusion, that this is not my grandfather. I believe his parents' names might be wrong in our family research. I have gone online and found some of his US documents, and here is the following information that keeps appearing:

 

Michael Francis Sheedy, born March 16, 1893. Birthplace, Ballywilliam, Ballyporeen, Tipperary.   My father said once that he was one of 11 children, and was brought up by an older sister, 'Babe", which is probably a nickname. He emigrated to the United States, arriving on June 5, 1913 in Boston. 

 

I did find a big family of Sheehys at 16 Main St in Ballyporeen from the 1901 census, but the 8 year old boy was named Edmond. Also, there is talk that the name changed from McNamara to Sheedy at some point.....The mystery continues....

 

Regards,

Donna

 

Donna Sheedy

Donna:

See seventh record  https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_retur…;    This family lived in Ballywilliam townland in Templetenny civil parish which is the same parish for Ballyporeen.  parents were Michael Sheedy and Margaret Condon. 

I found this family in the 1901 census under McNamara     http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Tipperary/Ballyporeen/…

Maybe this is your family.

1911 census   http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Tipperary/Ballyporeen/…

Roger

 

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

YES!!!

This is definitely my family! Although I cannot account for all 11 children, this all makes sense. My DNA matched as a second cousin with a woman in England, whose grandmother is Ellen McNamara. She knew that she had a brother named, "Paddy". (Patrick). My grandfather and Ellen would be brother and sister. I have been told that Michael lost his parents young, so the 1911 census, not showing a male as head of household, makes sense. Interestingly, here are the names of my aunts and uncles: Margaret, John, Thomas, James (father), Mary, Robert. Also, I DNA matched with folks named, "Condon", which is Margaret's maiden name. 

Thank you so much, Roger! I am wondering if you can help me with one more thing: I am unable to open the first link in the most recent email--the one from the church--the seventh record. Is there any way you can open it and cut and paste it to a reply? If not, that is perfectly fine. You have helped me immensly already.

Warm regards, 

Donna 

 

 

 

 

Donna Sheedy

Excellent! Thanks again!

 

Donna

Donna Sheedy

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