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Kelly Family

SligoBallymote (Sligo)

Hello everyone,

My name is Toni, I'm new to the board.

I am looking for information about my maternal great, great grandmother Catherine Kelly. Catherine was born in December of 1879 to John Kelly and Elizabeth Kelly (nee Morrison). I am not sure of the years of their birth. They were Roman Catholic.Family oral history says that Catherine's mother Elizabeth died either during or shortly after Catherine's birth. It hasalso been passed down orally, that they were from Ballymote. Catherine's father, John Kelly was said to have remarried and had more children. I do not know their names or how many there were. Catherine moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1899. The only solid evidence about where Catherine came from is from a baptismal record for one of her children which states that she was from "Sligo". I've reached a dead end with the records available here in the US. If anyone can offer any information about myfamily, I would greatly appreciate it!

Regards,

Toni

IrelandXO member

5 replies

Toni:

I've looked at Roots Ireland and also the civil index records and don't see any plausible records for Catherine or her parents. There were no Catherine Kelly births registered civilly in Co. Sligo in the December 1879 quarter or the first quarter of 1880. Roots has a Catherine Kelly baptism on September 6, 1879, the father was John Kelly but the mother was Ellen Boland. There is also a July 19th 1877 baptism for a Catherine Kelly with parents John Kelly and mother Honoria Noon.There are no baptisms in Sligo from 1869-1889 for a Catherine kelly where the mother's maiden name was Morrison.

Also could not find a John Kelly/Elizabeth Morrison marriage.

Any information on siblings?

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Roger,

My goodness, that was a fast response! Thank you so very much for taking the time to look for me. I'll have to see what else I can find out. Sadly, my grandfather, who passed away a few years ago was person who supplied me with all of the oral history about Catherine. He and his grandmother were very close. My grandfather used to tell me that Catherine's mother's name was Mariah or Mary, but when I found Catherine's death certificate, it said that her mother's name was Elizabeth. I believe that information was supplied by my great grandmother (Catherine's daughter). . I've only ever heard that Catherine had half siblings, whose names I do not know. I also don't know of any siblings of either of Catherine's parents. I don't know where else or how else to look. 

Again, I thank you so much for taking the time to look.

Toni

IrelandXO member

Roger,

My goodness, that was a fast response! Thank you so very much for taking the time to look for me. I'll have to see what else I can find out. Sadly, my grandfather, who passed away a few years ago was person who supplied me with all of the oral history about Catherine. He and his grandmother were very close. My grandfather used to tell me that Catherine's mother's name was Mariah or Mary, but when I found Catherine's death certificate, it said that her mother's name was Elizabeth. I believe that information was supplied by my great grandmother (Catherine's daughter). . I've only ever heard that Catherine had half siblings, whose names I do not know. I also don't know of any siblings of either of Catherine's parents. I don't know where else or how else to look. 

Again, I thank you so much for taking the time to look.

Toni

IrelandXO member

Toni:

Unfortunately, Kelly is a very common name. I'd be glad to help further but right now, no records show up based on the information you provided. (I also checked Mary as the mother's name.)

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Roger,

I know, Catherine, as well as John combined with Kelly seems to be mind blowingly common. There must be a trillion Catherine Kelly's who immigrated to Philadelphia, alone. Okay not that many, I know, but a lot.

It's nice to know the sweet little facts about her (like she spoke Gaeilge), but her paper trail is cold.

Thank you again!

Toni

IrelandXO member

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