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Searching for Killileas

GalwayAnnaghdown (Galway)

Hello to all!

I have located my great-grandmother in Annaghdown. Her name was Mary Killilea (b.1865). Her father was William Killilea (b.1842) and mother, Mary Hughes (m.1864). They had five other children: Michael, Martin, Margaret, Bridget and Winnifred. William's father was Patrick Killilea (b.1820+/-) and mother Catherine. Mary Hughes' father was Martin. I am traveling to the area in a few weeks and would love to find a grave or connect with distant relatives.

Thank you for any assistance.

Regards,

Kathy

kaymcreg@gmail.com

4 replies

HI, Nita.

Thank you very much for your reply. Yes, I do have Mary Killilea's baptism record and her parents' marriage record - both from rootsireland. I am really stuck on her parents. I think I have William's baptismal record - also from rootsireland 19 Apr 1842, Clontuskert, Galway. I don't find any record of her parents in the USA, but her sister Margaret (b.1868) was in Boston with her - not sure if they left together. I'm trying to track down other siblings, as well.

I'm fresh off the Celtic Connections conference sponsored by TIARA - so I have some new info about Irish research to inspire and guide me. I am staying in Oughterard for 4 nights. The plan is to send my husband off fishing while I drive over to Annaghdown to explore. 

Thank you again, and if you have any ideas or tips, I would surely welcome them!

Regards,

Kathy

kaymcreg@gmail.com

Killilea, Grange

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for your message. As the record posted above by Nita indicates, the Killileas lived in Grange townland, where Martin and Winifred appear on the 1901 census: http://census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Galway/Annaghdown/Grange/1….

By 1911, only Martin remained in the house (http://census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Galway/Annaghdown/Grange/5…). He died unmarried on 5 April 1937 (second from last entry at https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…).

Winifred, who appears on the 1901 census, seems to have married an Edward James Collins in South Boston in 1909 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N48V-PD8). There's also a record for a Josephine Killilea (with the same parents) marrying a John Finn in Boston in 1906 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N488-X43). The name Josephine would be very unusual at that time in Annaghdown, though.

William Killilea died on 14 February 1888 aged 50 (https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…) and Mary died on 17 September 1896, also aged 50 (https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…). Both ages should be taken as approximate.

From Mary's record it appears that there was a further son, Patrick, born in 1880 (birth record at https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_retur…).

William Killilea's father Patrick may have lived until 1891, as evidenced by the death record at https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…. This lis

It is unlikely that the record in Clontuskert relates to the same family, as the Killileas have been in Annaghdown since at least the 1820s, and there are at least two families in the 1830s/1840s Annaghdown baptisms who might be a match. There are two further families of Killileas in the neighbouring village of Shanbally.

We'd be delighted to meet you if you come to Annaghdown. You can contact us at annaghdown[at]irelandxo.com if you'd like to arrange that.

All the best,

Paul,

Annaghdown IrelandXO.

annaghdown@ire…IrelandXO Volunteer

Hello, Paul.

Thank you so much for your response! I must say, I’m a bit overwhelmed - in a good way!

I did find Martin and Winnifred in the census, but did not know about Winnifred moving to Boston. The Josephine you found in Boston is also very interesting. Perhaps she could have been named for a brother, Joseph, of William or Mary? I have subscribed to several DNA sites. I got a couple of 3rd-4th cousin matches when I searched the Collins and Finn surnames – but that’s for another day. Right now I am concentrating on finding Killileas in Annaghdown.

Since you believe the baptismal record in Clontuskert of William Killilea is probably not my family, can you shed some light on the other possibilities?

William’s and Patrick’s death records mention, Kilroe. Is this a town?

I would love to meet with you or anyone else when I visit the area. I will be available Sept. 16, 17 or 18. I hope this is convenient for you.

Again, thank you very much for your help in my search.

Best regards,
Kathy

kaymcreg@gmail.com

Nita,

It's funny you should mention pronunciation. I am also concerned about this because Irish names are not phonetic in the sense that we English speakers are familiar with. I am fortunate to work with a woman from Tuam, so she is helping me with this. Thanks for the tips!

Kathy

kaymcreg@gmail.com

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