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McEnnery; McInery, McHenry??

Kilkenny

I am searching for information on my ancestor Joanna McEnnery who died in Deniliquin,Australia in 1891. She certainly travelled before then!

From vital documents she always spelt her surname McEnnery. In birth registrations of her children she always states she was born in Co Kilkenny, Ireland. On the first child born in Australia she states Whitechurch, Kilkenny. Ire. She was born abt 1830-1.

However Joanna first left Ireland for perhaps Nova Scotia, Canada and then made her way to Brookline Mass. USA (near Boston). I have a copy of the Massachusetts Census 1855 which has Joanna McEnnery aged 24 as servant in the household of W.C. Wharton (gentleman). It states she was born in Nova Scotia. In the household is her husband to be John Mahoney (coachman; from Cork Ire). I also have found a passenger list which has a Joanna McHenry aged 23 arriving in Boston from Nova Scotia in 1853. On 13 Oct 1856 Joanna and and John were married in Boston and a son George Andrew Mahoney was born in Boston 10 Aug 1857. On 1 July 1859 a son was born to Joanna and John in Woodend, Victoria, Australia!!

I have checked various resources on McEnnerys in Kilkenny but can't find any- most come from the neighbouring Tipperary- or Kerry even. Also checked for other McEnnerys in Nova Scotia and Boston but none match particularly. This what I know about Joanna (only occasionally is it spelt Johanna):

- Joanna McEnnery born abt 1830-31 Co. Kilkenny - possibly Whitechurch. Father's name: Patrick McEnnery; Mother's name: Joanna Ryan. (these names from her death certificate - maybe incorrect???).

- Roman Catholic

- Left Ireland for North America - possibly Nova Scotia or Boston. Lived in Boston Mass. USA < 1855- 58.

Married John Mahoney Oct 1856 Boston USA. John from Co Cork, Ire.

Arrive Melbourne Victoria abt 1858.

Died Deniliquin NSW Australia 30 Sept 1891.

 

mwoody127

2 replies

Hi,

Thank you very much for your message.

 

Have you tried looking in church records in Whitechurch for information? Civil registration did not begin until 1864 so prior to this all births, marriages and deaths were recorded by the local parish priest.

 

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. Whitechurch civil parish belongs to the Catholic parish of Templeorum. For Templeorum  parish, follow this link:

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/fuses/rcparishmaps/index.cfm?fuseaction=showidrecords&CityCounty=Kilkenny&parish=Templeorum&churchid=999

As you can see from this link copies are available from the Kilkenny Family History Society. If you would like to contact them here is their email, however a fee may apply: kilkennyfamilyhistory@rothehouse.com

Please be patient - as our programme has only begun to rollout across the island of Ireland and volunteers in some areas may not yet be organized.

Kind regards,    

Genealogy Support

 

 

 

IrelandXO member

Thank you Genealogy Support!

I will investigate your links and also be patient.  It's a big project and you seem to be inundated!!!!!

If anything else comes to mind about finding Joanna McEnnery's beginnings please contact me further.

Thank you once again

mwoody127

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