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Finley Family

WestmeathClonfad (Westmeath)

researchng my history , my great grandfather James Finley ( spelt in different ways ) born in Clonfad about 1860s. Moved to Scotland. He had a brother Joseph possibly born in 1868 , Also went to Scotland ,and other family members Mary and possibly Edward who went to USA. Father was also called James. Mother Mary. Mother surname possibly McDonald. Grateful for any assistance or advice re Local knowledge or expertise. Photo of James attached

Jack

IrelandXO member

3 replies

Hi Jack

www.rootsireland.ie/ has 20 Finley birth/baptism records from Rochfortbridge RC parish from 1832 to 1871; it seems Clonfad was a civil parish so records would start 1864

Within those records is a family with parents James Finley & Mary Kelly:

Church BaptismFinleyPatt1846Co. Westmeath
Church BaptismFinlayMargaret1849Co. Westmeath
Church BaptismFinlayAnn1851Co. Westmeath
Church BaptismFinlayMary1854Co. Westmeath
Church BaptismFinlayEsther1856Co. Westmeath
Church BaptismFinlayJames1858Co. Westmeath
Church BaptismFinlayJoseph1862Co. Westmeath
Church BaptismFinlayElizabeth1865Co. Westmeath

This is the full record for James (the rest are the same)

Name:James FinlayDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:03-Jun-1858Address:Not RecordedParish/District:ROCHFORTBRIDGEGender:MaleCountyCo. Westmeath
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:James FinlayMother:Mary KellyOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:James BrianSponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Mary Bracken

Col

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Many thanks for this Col , I appreciate it , yes I was aware of possible Kelly name and am minded to think that this is indeed family ! Issue is confused as Scottish certificates have Mary McDonald as mother on his death and marriage certificate , but has Kelly on his daughters. Also Joseph has Mary McDonald on his marriage but Mary Kelly on death ! I am wondering if Mary McDonsld was further down the line and was possibly linked to army camp there. Interesting reading about what happened to the village. Many thanks Jack 

 

 

IrelandXO member

jThe family story is that James ( one married to Mary Kelly ) was a game keeper who was killed ! Does anyone know of any stories about a gamekeeper being killed in west meath ? Also looking at possible remarriage of his wife Mary Kelly to a McDonald which would explain name change . Would appreciate it if anyone has access to any local resources to check this or post link.failing that anyone know any local to Westmeath family history societies or family tree researchers ?

Many thanks  jack 

 

 

 

IrelandXO member

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