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John Leahy

CorkFermoy (Cork)

My 2xgreat grandfather, John Leahy, left Ireland about 1850. His son, also John Leahy, was born in Port Talbot, Wales, about 1852, according to his military records from India, where, at times, he also called himself John Lee & William Lee. He joined the Royal Artillery at Cardiff in 1871, & served in India until his death in 1906 in the Isle of Wight. I have 1871 onwards well covered with information. The Glamorgan archives could find no sign of the family in the wider Port Talbot area 1850-71 for me. Fermoy has always been where we have been told the family originated from, & my mother said she remebered her father taliking about Carrig, Fermoy. DNA matches have shown that the family most likely originated from Castlelyons. Carrig may have been where they were living before they left Ireland for Wales. My grandfather also said that his father had 4 or 6 male family members who went to America. Not sure whether this was before or after 1850. Unfortunately I do not know my 2x greatgrandmother's name, but I am looking at the possibility that John senior was born 1825, Castlelyons, the son of William Leahy [b 1808] & Catherine Lee [b.1808]. Updated May 2017.

levans

4 replies

 

Hi,

 

Thank you for your message. I have passed it on to one of our volunteers in the area who hopefully will be able to advise or assist you.

 

Kind regards,

 

Genealogy Support

 

IrelandXO member

Thankyou Emma,

In searching for our Cork Leahys, I have found that in Cork they seem to be from several specific areas, ie Youghal, Middleton, Subulter, Clonakilty, Carrigtwohill Carrignavar, & Fermoy town. In "Historical & Topographical Notes", in the section for Cregg Castle, a Donill O'Leighy, is mentioned in the Faints of Elizabeth in 1573 & there is also a pardon for Teige O'Leaghie of Cregge.

In Griffith's valuation, 1845, there is John Leahy in William St [now Emmet St] Fermoy, a Daniel Leahy in Pound Lane [now Devlin St] Fermoy, & a Michael Leahy in Cross St [now Clancy St] Fermoy. These were possibly the Leahy's who did not leave Ireland as in the 1901 census, Patrick Leahy is living in Pound Lane Fermoy, David Leahy in Patrick St  Fermoy, & there is a Patrick Leahy in Waterloo Lane also in Fermoy. In 1870 a John Leahy owned 1 acre at Blossom Hill Rathkeale, which I think is north Fermoy?

Military records show a Daniel Leahy who was born 24/5/1896 at Fermoy, & an Edward Francis Leahy born 19/1/ 1898 at Fermoy.

Am I right in thinking Blackrock is in Fermoy? I have found several references to Leahys from there.

I am interested in any feedback

Regards,

Linda

 

levans

Hi

 

Researching Mary Leahy b. abt 1837 Cork IRE parents Thomas & Catherine Leahy nee Connell

She immigrated to Western Australia on the ship Mary Harrison arriving 24 Jun 1862. She went to York WA for work and met Edward French and married 15 Apr 1863 in York. They had 2 sons in York. Edward  died 1875 and Mary remarried to Patrick Egan. They had a son Patrick Joseph Egan. He had a medical problem apparently with his eyes and seeked help for him in USA. They sailed to USA and never returned to Australia.

Any help to find where Mary and her family of Leahy's orogons were in Cork please?

 

Cheers

12Jameson

IrelandXO member

My greatgrandfather John Leahy, also known as John Lee, was described in his military records as having dark hair & a dark complexion. In an effort to narrow down which Leahys from Cork may have been his ancestors I have looked at lots of records where complexion etc are mentioned & most Leahys are described with a fair complexion & lighter hair colours. However I did find a mention of a Mary Leahy with dark hair & dark comlpexion who was sent to Australia. I have heard mention of the "dark Irish" supposedly descended from intermarriage with the Spanish or Portugese. Is it likely that certain areas of Cork had more families with darker complexions. Interested in any comments on my thoughts. Also, was there a part of Cork where Leahys were also known as Lees, because I found a 1752 will for "John Lee otherwise Leahy" master gunner aboard the Prince Frederick Privateer, now of London, late of Cork. His wife was "Elizabeth Lee otherwise Leahy" living in Cork & their son was Edmund Lee. Look forward to any comments.
levans

levans

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