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Looking for connection to Mary and James Kennedy

GalwayPortumna (Galway)

Hi.

I recently found the tombstone for my great grandmother,( Mary Maher Kennedy), she and her husband James Kennedy emigrated from Ireland in 1846, with their son Andrew Kennedy, who was 3 years old. Mary died in 1856 in Perry Co., Indiana  On the stone is printed the following:

Mary wife of James, she was born in Ireland,

Portumna, Galway    Died on October 13, 1856 ;  Age 33 years

James was born in 1810 and died in 1893

Mary was born in about 1822 and died in 1856.

Andrew was born in 1843 and died in 1913

Any connections out there , I would be interested.      Thanks.

Joseph A. Payne

IrelandXO member

1 reply

Hi Joseph,

Thank you very much for your message. I hope that someone with information makes a connection with you and helps you to further your research.

In the meantime have you tried looking for information in Church records in Portumna? Most Catholic records are held locally so you may need to write to the local parish priest for possible assistance. One website that you may find useful is the Irish Times where they give an overview of what records are available in specific parishes. It also shows you where copies of the records are available. For Portumna parish, follow this link:

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/fuses/rcparishmaps/index.cfm?fuseaction=showidrecords&CityCounty=Galway&CityCounty=East%20Galway&parish=Portumna&churchid=334

As you can see from the above list the East Galway Family History Society have copies available. Here is their email if you would like to contact them, however please note that a fee may apply:

galwayroots@eircom.net

You could also check for record of the family in the land records pertaining to Ireland in the 19th century. There are two:

The Tithe Applotment Books (1823-1838) found at http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp

and Griffith?s Valuation (1848-1864) found at http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/

Some other websites that you may find useful are:

The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/

The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx

Irish Genealogy Tool kit: http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/

Genealogy links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/galway/index.html

From Ireland: www.from-ireland.net

Kind regards,

 

Genealogy Support

 

 

IrelandXO member

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