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O' KEEFFE FAMILY,NEWTOWN,BALLYCLOGH.

CorkBallyclogh (Cork)

Hello, I'd be grateful if anybody has any information on my mother's family who were a few generations in Newtown,Ballyclogh. My Grandfather John O'Keeffe farmed there until he died in the 1950's. His father before him was James O'Keeffe,who in addition to farming was also a Blacksmith. James died in 1915 or 1916,and his wife Kate Crowley who was originally from Kilbrin also died around that time. Kate's father was also a Blacksmith in Kilbrin and several of her brothers and sisters emigrated to California in the 19th Century. Any information appreciated. Thank you.

tobin67

6 replies

Hi,

Hello from North Cork not far from Kilbrin and Ballyclough!

I found the baptism of John O'Keeffe, he was baptised in Ballyclogh on 11-Feb-1880, his brother Patrick also baptised in Ballyclogh on 17-Dec-1883 and brother Daniel baptised 26-May-1885 in Ballyclogh. Parents James O'Keeffe and Kate Crowley. The townland of Newtown is closer to Mallow then Ballyclogh and falls under the Mallow parish officially.

Attached the map

What information are you exactly looking for?

Regards,

Mallow CorkIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you for the prompt reply!  Actually I did have the birth certs but not baptismal records so thank you for that also.  There were two other brothers also,Denis and James O'Keeffe.  Denis being the eldest,and James was next as I recall.  My grandfather John stayed on the farm and Denis,Patrick and James all emigrated to California.  Quite possibly as their mother,Kate Crowley,had a lot of family there.   Daniel was the youngest son and died tragically young in a farm accident.  Honestly I would love to find the graves of my Great Grandparents,James and Kate and young Daniel but have searched high and low around Mallow and Ballyclogh but no luck.  My Grandfather ,John and my Grandmother Annie,are buried by the church in Ballyclogh but I cannot find any other O'Keeffe graves from my family.  So any suggestions about other cemeteries would be welcome.  I've also tried Kilbrin and have found some of Kate's family buried there.  Thanks again for the help.  John

tobin67

Hi John,

I have been looking for burial records in the area but was unable to locate them, what I did find was the will and probate of James O'Keeffe who died on 6 December 1915,  the primary beneficiary was your grandfather John and James's last address was Ballyclogh. My guess is that he is buried in Ballyclogh maybe the grave does not exist anymore. Ballyclogh  graveyard is maintained by Cork County Council and the death records should be held my the Mallow parish. I have checked all Mallow record but could not locate. It is also possible that James and Kate are buried together in Kilbrin but unmarked in a familygrave

Found the baptism of Denis and James, Denis was baptised on the 20th March 1878 in Ballyclough, a note on his baptism record states he married Mary E. Carver on the 16th May 1913.

James was baptised on the 14th August 1882 in Ballyclogh, all records can be found on www.rootsireland.ie

See attached screenshot of the will and probate

Mallow CorkIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you so much for that! Funny that Denis and Mary were married May 16 as that is my birthday,but not 1913 thankfully.  They emigrated to California shortly after the wedding and somehow doubt they ever made a return trip.  Denis had been living there for some years prior to that.  You may be right about the grave being unmarked and I know Irish burial records are very scant,to say the least.  American Death Certs. list the burial ground but no such luck with Irish ones.  I really appreciate your help.  John.

tobin67

To Mallow Cork and Tobin67: I am Denis O'Keeffe's grandson. My mother was Mary Helen O'Keeffe. Denis moved to Coalinga, Ca after marrying Mary Ellen Carver. We never knew that John remained in Ireland and kept the family farm. Please contact me at mcnorth@comcast. net. so we can exchange info. Robert McGuiness, Alameda, Ca.

Mcnorth@comcast.net

Thanks Eileen 

Yes this is my connection 

Tobin67 posted in the past would love to connect to learn more about Kathleen 

She died in 2014

Laura O'Leary

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