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James Kilbane, Achill

MayoAchill (Mayo)

Our ancestor, James Kilbane, was born supposedly on Achill Island about 1817-1821, and came to America about 1850-60. He served in the American Civil War along with his brother, in the Irish Brigade, for Clarksville, State of Tennessee. His brother was killed during the Civil War, but James married Margaret Welsh and had several children. Unfortunately, he was murdered in Tennessee, in front of his children, by a violent overseer of the local plantation where he and his sons worked. Would love to know the names of James Kilbane's parents and where exactly he came from. Thank you.

IrelandXO member

5 replies

Mona: RC Church records for Achill are not available until 1867-1868. Kilbane is a very common surname on Achill Island (60 entries on the 1856 Griffiths Valuation head of household listing) so it is going to be difficult to determine the parents names. Our Achill expert will be along later and maybe he can be more helpful. Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Roger, thank you so much for your quick response to my message.  A son of our James Kilbane wrote a journal which has been handed down in the family which describes the murder of James at the hands of a young overseer on a plantation in Tennessee.  This journal also noted that James Kilbane and his brother, Michael Kilbane, came to America about 1850-60, and both were in the American Civil War.  We have discovered some evidence that Michael died in a prison camp during the war, but James went on to marry and raise a family.  The journal states that James and Michael came to America together, but we don't know the names of their parents or other family members.  Any help, or even historical information about Achill would be appreciated.  Thanks again.    

IrelandXO member

Hi Mona I see you've had some introductory assistance from Roger the guru.

I had a look at the Tithe Applotments !823-37 which are free online (titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/) and there are only 2 Kilbanes in Mayo - both in Achill - Pat at Sala 1828 and Owen at Achillbeg 1828 (possible fathers)

I couldn't find a birth record for James on rootsireland or findmypastireland

Family search has some James Kilbanes (b 1810, 1821 & 1822) who served in the UK Mercjhant Navy (before going to the US??)

There is an excellent book: Achill Island by Theresa McDonald which covers the history well.

There is 1 refernce to a Jimmy Kilbane but it is in 1996

The Irish phone book has only 1 Kilbane in Mayo: Michael Kilbane Consulting Engineers Dooagh Achill

I had a look at a cd I have Memorials of the Dead Mayo & Galway; it has 4 Kilbane gravestone records all in KILDAVNET Cemetery Achill:

Edward died 1894 aged 64 sons Michael & Edward;

Margaret (married name?) died 1890 aged 80;

Owen died 17/8/1849 aged 103!!;

Edward died 7/7/1947 aged 81 son Peter

If you have not already done so i hope you get the opportunity to visit Achill as it is stunning and you will be chuffed that your ancestors lived in such a beautiful area.

Col (Achill Liaison)

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Col, thank you so very much.  Everyone at Irelandxo.com has been wonderful.  I appreciate the information and your insight about the Kilbane name and about Achill.  Our James Kilbane left a wonderful legacy in America of strong ties to Ireland, and all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are proud of their Irish ancestry.  Yes, I would love to visit Ireland and Achill.  My family lines are Irish all around, as my mother's MAJOR ancestors came from Ireland in the 1700s to America (from Londonderry), then several generations later one of the Major men (Major became Majors which became Magers in America) married a young woman, Alice McMahon, whose parents and grandparents were from County Armagh and County Roscommon.  Then my sister in the 1970s married a man from the Kilbane family, also from Ireland.  When I had my DNA testing done, it wasn't surprising that about 85% was Irish!  Thanks again for your help.  Perhaps next year I can visit Ireland since I am now retired.  

IrelandXO member

Thanks Roger and Col! Good luck with your research Mona!

Best wishes
Clare Doyle
Genealogy Support

IrelandXO member

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