Heffernan/Kelly families

Roger, thank you very much.

Hello Geraldine,

Thank you so much for your reply.  I am sorry for the delay in answering you but I have been traveling.  I am so glad to connect with someone from Rahan. This past October I was in the Rahan parish and visited the Killina Church and also met with Margaret Mulligan at the Offaly History Center.  I just found the Ireland Reaching Out after my return home and wish that I had made this discovery earlier.  I had been corresponding with Margaret for several months and she was able to help me determine which of the numerous James Heffernans in the area was my great greatgrandfather.  

I do have a copy of the marriage record that you attached and yes, this James Heffernan and Maria Kelly are my family.  When I visited I knew that the Killina Church was the church of my family and that the children of James and Maria were baptized here also. I believe that they had five children, Patrick, my great grandfather, John (1853-1868), Bridget, Michael, and Ellen.  Michael lived with his brother, my great grandparents, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania for a while but I'm not sure if he returned to Ireland or remained in the US.  I have never found information about his death.  I believe that Ellen married Patrick Weir in Tullamore and they had several children.  I would love to connect with this family.  I know nothing of Bridget.  Maria Kelly Heffernan moved to Bryn Mawr in 1894, after the death of her husband James in 1893, and lived with her son Patrick and his family till her death in 1906.  

When I was in Rahan last month I just took a chance and had a taxi take me to the church and I spent about an hour looking around. The school across the street was very active but there was no one at the church.  I am planning a return trip this January and this time I will have a car and will be able to drive around the parish.  I also have family from Borrisokane, Tipperary and am planning a visit there.

Most of the information that I have about my family is from the Roots Ireland website and that which Margaret Mulligan has found for me.  I have the marriage and baptism records for most of the family, except as I mentioned Bridget and a death notice for Ellen.  I have Ellen's marriage to Patrick Weir (also his death in 1905) and the birth of four children.  I would be most grateful for any additional information that you can provide. 

Best regards, 

Marilyn Crawford

Hello Geraldine,

Just recently I came across a copy of the marriage certificate of my great grandparents Patrick Heffernan and Mary Mitchell.  They were married in Philadelphia on November 30, 1889.  One of the witnesses to their marriage was E. Heffernan.  I have to wonder if this is Ellen Heffernan, Patrick's sister.  Maybe it was a different Ellen Heffernan that married Patrick Wier in November, 1895 in Tullamore.  Very confusing indeed.  I also am sorry that I missed you in October.  I am planning to visit Ireland again this January and if I come across any additional information about my Heffernan family in Rahan I will include a visit to the area.   Otherwise I am planning to visit the Aglish, Borrisokane area of County Tipperary where my great grandmother Mary Agnes Mitchell's family lived.   Thank you for all that you have been able to pass on to me and I would be most grateful for any additional information that you might come across about my James Heffernan or Maria Kelly families.  Best wishes for this Christmas season,  Marilyn Crawford