Ireland XO
Back to Message Board

Westmeath Roots? Kilmurray

Westmeath

Hi all

I have been on a very long journey - I started researching my family when I was 18 and I am now 53!

I really would love to knock down this brick wall.

I have my 6X Great Grandfather who was apparently born in Westmeath/Meath.The info supplied comes from his convict record, his Australian Death Certificate was not much help as there was very little info provided by his family so I only have official documents to go on.

DOB: 1801 Westmeath/Meath

Name Denis Kilmurray (you would think he would stand out - but - not he doesn't )

Tried for stealing a sheep in 13th Mar 1827 at Trim arrived in Australia on board the Cambridge in Sept 1827.

Religion was Catholic and he had no formal education. Occupation was listed as Farmers Man.

I have searched until I was blue in the face, and can find nothing on this man.

If anyone could throw any hints my way I would be so appreciative.

Regards

Kaz

IrelandXO member

4 replies

Hi Kaz

This Irish genealogy is a trying exercise all right!

I had no luck on www.rootsireland.ie/ finding Denis. There are birth/baptism records for lots of others around that year in both Meath & Westmeath but not a Denis I'm afraid. Does he have a second name I could try?

There are some early Kilmurray & Kilmurry records in the Tithe Applotments 1827 (free online at http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/)

In case the name Denis was handed down I checked both Kilmurray & Kilmurry but the closest was an Ennis Kilmurry in Westmeath.

None of either name in the early Irish censuses.

A couple of trees on ancestry have his father as Patrick but one has the father's birth as 1845 & the other as 1795!!

There are currently 7 Kilmurrays in the Irish phone book in Westmeath; I wonder if it would help to drop them a line.

Col

 

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Col

Thankyou for the really fast response.

I am afraid I am responsible for the "Patrick" on ancestry - I saw it written somewhere that his father was Patrick - unproven - and added him as a reminder - others without question have run with it.  (Had not realised at the time that my tree was not set to private!)  

Denis as far as I am aware had no second name - and I am pretty sure it was Denis - not Ennis - as the name was handed down multiple times in later generations. 

The surname is a pain as it keeps turning up the town Kilmurray!  It was also written in various ways - Kilmurray/Kilmurry/Kilmury/Kilmwary/Kilmorey and have also seen a comment where it was Gillmurray!  

Many years back - I had an email from someone telling me there had been a name change - but they would not elaborate. 

Not sure now if they meant Ennis to Denis or the variant spellings of the surname!

(Almost at the point where I shall say - hang it and claim the lot as mine!  )  Jokes...

I now have a Mary Kilmurray (I am collecting them like others collect stamps!)  also a convict, from Meath, who is of the right age to be maybe a sister to Denis. She was a bit of a larrikin and didn't survive long on arrival out here. I have found nothing on her either, they appear to be a bit mysterious. 

I did see that entry last night on ancestry - with Patrick being older than his father - just goes to show you should always check the sources! 

I will check the phone books (are they online? ) and pen a few letters . 

 

Thanks again! 

K.

IrelandXO member

Hi there Kaz

Just saw your post, this may or may not help, was going over an old record i had on my GG grandfather William Campbell, mentioned in the County Down Assizes on March 30, 1830, below which a Mary Kilmurray was also sentenced to 7 years. stealing a shawl at Newry.

George in Oz

ps-Mr GG grandmother Anne Killooley was also a native of Westmeath, still looking for her

IrelandXO member

Regarding "Kilmurray" family. Suggest you also try a search for Killmurry in the Roscommon area. The name is spelt various ways, so try some variations. My G Grandfather was Emanuel Pilkington, who was born in Westmeath (Rochfordbridge) area, Although the family home was at "Tore". His father was William Pilkington and mother Anne Kilmurry, married 10 Feb.1847.. They moved from Rochford area to Roscommon and the siblings are listed as:

Fanny - 1849, William,1851, John 1853, Emanuel, 1855 - all baptised in Co. Westmeath. followed by:

Carol, 1860, Joseph, 1862, Elizabeth Rose 1866 - all baptised in Co. Roscommon.

Have no idea why they moved, but marriage of William Pilkington and Anne Killmurry was recorded at Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath, with Timothy Kilmurry and Margaet Kilmurry being recorded as the "Sponsors". Emanuel later relocated to Windle, England (date unknown, but a "stronghold of the Pilkington's) and later married again to a "Brownbill" at St. Helen's, ancashire..Also, should note - "ColCaff" on this site was very helpfull. also Sean Pickett (on this site) is searching. Please post to this site or if of a personal nature my e-mail in Canada is (jimblower@shaw.ca) Regards, Jim

 

IrelandXO member

Reply

Reply
One image file up to 2 MB.