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Luke Murray

RoscommonBallintober (Roscommon)

I am looking for info on my great great grandfather Luke Murray. He immigrated to America between 1845 and 1850. He was from Roscommon possibly around Ballintober. Possible parishes he may have been from or have had relatives from Ballintober, Bumblin, Kilbride,Kilglass, or Killukin. He arrived in New York, married Ann Kelly also of Roscommon and eventually settled in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Ann's father Michael James Kelley circa 1784 was also from Roscommon. Ann and Luke named their first son John Henry and their second son James Bernard. Ann had a brother, Michael James and a sister, Margaret.

I would be grateful for any information on either Ann or Luke. Margaret Harriett

Peggy

7 replies

Peggy:

The subscription site Roots Ireland has an 1820 Luke Murray baptismal record in Athleague RC parish with father Thomas and mother Bridget (no maiden name shown). The next record was in 1836 in Kilbride RC parish with father Peter and mother Marie Creatons. 

It is not clear what year Luke was born but possibly 1825-1830? So the only possible record is the 1820 record but I don't believe that record is for your Luke

FYI-Records for Ballintubber RC parish start in 1831. 

I also looked for Anne Kelly baptismal records with father Michael. There was an 1819 record in Loughlynn RC parish and an 1822 record in Boyle RC parish. The next records (2) were in 1836. Can you clarify the approximate year of birth for Anne?

Have you considered DNA testing?

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

 

Thank you for your reply and the suggestion to check my DNA. I did check my DNA and most of my Irish matches are found in Connacht. So, perhaps that is the place to start. Their gravestones and family lore say native of Roscommon. Also, Luke's birth year could be anywhere between 1825 and 1830. Some US census have his birth year as 1828 and 1829. Luke and Ann have been particularly difficult to trace in Ireland.

 

Peggy

I just looked Connacht up on the web and of course learned it is a province and Roscommon is one of its many counties. 

Peggy

Peggy:

I have my DNA on a number of sites and I contact my closest matches to see if the connection is maternal or paternal and which family. Sometimes my matches have more info on the family which is helpful in pinpointing the parish and possibly the townland. The fact that you have a fairly common surname in Murray and an extremely common surname in Kelly complicates your research.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thank you Roger,  I will keep trying.

Peggy

 

Here is a little more information on Luke Murray. My G. Uncle Henry wrote that Luke's birth date was June 22, 1825. Luke's children (oldest to youngest) were John Henry, Mary, Teresa, James Bernard, Frank Luke, Margaret "Maggie", Peter, Elizabeth "Lizzie", Edward. His oldest son John named his first son John and my GGGrandfather James, the second son, also named his first son John. East Greenwich, Rhode Island death records list Luke's parents as Luke and Margaret Murray. In death records, censuses, etc. Luke's birth place is listed as Roscommon.

His wife, Ann Kelley, also from Roscommon birth date is only mentioned by year (1831) by my great uncle Henry. Death records record her parents as Michael and Mary Kelley. Also buried in the Murray plot in East Greenwich are a Michael Kelley born 1815 in Roscommon and a Margaret (Kelley) Tighe who are probably related to Ann. My mother (98 years old in April) told me Ann's mother died on the voyage to America and was buried at sea. I will post more when I find more. Thank you in advance for your help and advice.

Peggy

Peggy:

From what I can see thru the Roots Ireland searches, the baptismal records for Luke and Anne are likely not available but please continued to post new info.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

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