Need help in Kilgarvan, Kerry area

Roger,

Thanks so much for your work and for contacting me.  I have searched Irish baptismal records for John and Daniel with little success, but the years of birth I have  were qiestionable for Daniel and John. I also have a very small hint in family records that Jeremiah and Hanorah (as spelled on the gravestone) MAY have had other children, (the name ELLEN does come up as a possible child)  although I have no American evidence of any children other than Daniel and John..  John, his wife Ellen (they married in the US), and Hanorah are buried in Massachusetts in a family plot, so I have them fairly well documented on this side of the ocean (Hanorah 1804-1890), John H., 31 Oct 1836 or 1838-1875). Daniel O'Connor, allegedly the older brother according to some family trees, is buried with his wife several miles away and I am still working on the familial links there. Regarding Hanorah's maiden name, I have seen it potentially as Mealy and Malley. MALVEY is certainly a possibility.  Her fathers name MAY have been William.

This helps so much, as I have been stymied as to furhter hints. Almost humorously, I DID find a Jeremiah O'Connor in West Brookfield Massachussetts, about 35 miles east of where John, Daniel and the rest settled and raised their families.  On August 31, 1953,  a man identified as Jeremiah O'Connor, no age, a married man, was found dead on the side of a road, no cause of death given., and identified by the coroner.  His occupation was listed as "bagpipe player". I am not sure if he is "my" Jeremiah, and I still have work to do- apparently he was buried in that town, but records do not pinpoint the cemetery, or in fact any other details other than that which I found in the old town records of his death. 

I will look at the records you pointed me to, and if I have more questions, may I contact you for assistance? After several months of frustration this is the best information I have recieved! Thanks again for your help and hopefully you have led me to some answers. 

Bob O'Connor

Hi Bob,

I found a baptismal record for John O'Connor...

Rootsireland gives a baptismal date of 1 Nov 1830 for John Connor, son of Jeremiah and Honorah Maley of Sandrum. Baptized in RC parish of Kilgarvan. Sponsor: Gobnet Sughurue

Note you have 31 Oct for the birth date...and the baptismal date here is one day later. I know the year is earlier than what the tombstone says, but records, including cemetery inscriptions, are sometimes incorrect.

I hope this helps.

Patricia,

Thanks- that helps immensely! I do appreciate your help.  Bob

Roger and Patricia,

Thanks for the initial help.  I am sure I will have more questions soon enough!  I have been at a dead end with Jeremiah until I found this site and you both helped so much.  I am certain this is "my" Jeremiah, there are just too many checks in boxes for it not to be. You have opened up a whole new opportunity to learn more about him, and expand the family tree. 

Honorah (Hanorah) has been another question mark.  I had a maiden name of, alternately,  Maley or Mealy, but not Malvey.  The family cemetery plot in Massachusetts only mentions her as " Hanorah, wife of Jeremiah".  1804-1890, with no indication of where in Ireland she was born.  I have had to make certain assumptions on both Jeremiah and Honorah regarding birthplace, age of Jeremiah, etc. Interestingly, Jeremiah is not, to my knowledge, in the plot, as he is not indicated on the headstone beyond the above reference with Hanorah, and cemetery records do not show him as being interred there. So while he has been an enigma of sorts, you have brought him to life for me with your discovery.

Again, I thank you and I am sure I will be asking for more as I proceed.  I was a member of RootsIreland previously and let  membership lapse for lack of success.  I have rejoined, and will do some research there with your valuable information.

All the best- Bob