Hi Mike, Thanks for contacting me. I know some of the family history, but a lot is still not known.
My grandfather was Patrick J Connolly, b. July, 1887 in Coorbaum Loughrea188.he emigrated to the USA about 1905.
He was son of John J Connolly (1849-1935) m. Bridget Egan b.1854, Clonlee, dau of Patrick Egan& Mary Kilcar of Clonlea.
John Connolly was previously m. to Margaret McGann dau. of Martin McGann of Kilchreast, Ballyshea.B. 1858. M. 2/1881. Hearsay is that John & Margaret went to NY after they married. Margaret died after their child Mary A. Connolly was born in 1883.in IRL. Mary lived with John & Bridget for a while in Coorbaun & emigrated to Boston, 1905.
John Connolly & Bridget Egan had children: Patrick (1887), Catherine(1888), Elizabeth(1890), Joseph (1892) Anne(1893) & John( 1899). They all lived at the family home in Coorbaun. John m. Ellen Plower & had sons Jerome & Noel (b. 1940). Jerome Connolly still lives in Coorbaun & still maintains the farm there & I have visited with both of them. Neither know much about their family history. I have didcovered more than they knew.
I am interrested in finding records of where Patrick Connolly (b 1887) was born,(possibly Tuam)his parents, etc.He worked for Patrick Kennedy in Tuam and moved to Coorbaun to work his land. He married Mary Duane from Loughrea, (family lived on the main road between Courbaun & the cemetary at Bullan, where they are all buried. Would like to find any records on the Duane family. They were married Nov 1, 1841 in Loughrea. Had children John J (1849) Michael (1852) & Mary (1855) who married John Farrell. Michael never married & worked at the Farrell Blacksmith shop.
I have obtained some birth certificates, marriage & death from Woodford Heritage Center. I realize that a lot of records do not exist but, I am still chasing brick walls. My father knew his family came from Galway but, he never had any contact on his fathers family after the father emigraed.
Thanks for your help.
Jeanne (Connolly)Pendergast