Burke girls married in 1850 in Ballyovey parish; Nolan relatives
Two Burke girls, Mary and Ellen married two soldiers in the 17th Foot Rgmnt, in Aug 1850 in Ballyovey parish.
Ellen married Michael Cleary on Aug 8, with William Connell and Mary Burke as witnesses. Then, 10 days later,
Mary married William Connell on Aug 18 with Michael Cleary and Bridget Henahan as witnesses.
The two soldiers served in the Crimean War and also in British North America (Canada). Cleary stayed there with his family and settled in Dunnville, Ontario. Wm Connell returned and eventually retired while stationed in Newbridge.
I have a lot of information on both Ellen and Mary after 1850, but absolutely nothing before. Were they sisters? Were they from Ballyovey? Ballinrobe? Partry?
When , how, did they meet these two soldiers. Michael was from Kilmallock, Co.Limerick and William Connell was from Windgap, Co.Kilkenny (born 1828). The 17th Foot had only just arrived in Castlebar in June 1850. Were the soldiers part of a detachment in Ballinrobe ? This was a tough post-famine time in Ballyovey/Partry; did the girls see these soldiers as away out of their poor existence.
Michael Cleary's children were Caroline born in Dublin 1854, Ellen 1859 Quebec, Michael born in Quebec 1860, and several more children born in Dunnville, Ontario. The parents Michael Cleary and Ellen Burke both died in Dunnville, Ontario, Canada.
William Connell's children were Ellen born 1851 in Oughterard Galway, John born 1853 possibly Dublin, Katherine 1863 Limerick, Mary 1865 Aldershot army camp in England, William 1868 Newbridge and Anne E Dublin 1870. The parents William Connell and Mary Burke both died in Newbridge, Co.Kildare. Their eldest son John also joined the 17th Foot and was posted to India about 1870. In 1883 he married in India and stayed there and from that point used the name Bourke Connell. He died in India about 1891.
I welcome any ideas, comments, suggestions.
Johnny Canuck
