I am researching the early NEELEY family that lived in the Crossmolina parish area. Particular neighborhoods were Moyla and Carrowkelly.
The eldest Neeley that I currently have is: Robert NEELEY, b.abt 1785. Married Margaret WRAY in 1804 and had the following children: Margary, Robert Jr, Aaron, Frances, John and Oliver, from 1807-1822. Frances married John Joynt and immigrated to Canada. Oliver married Mary Anne Gardner.
A possible sibling group was confirmed (COI) in 1804 in Crossmolina: John, Rob., Sam. and Aaron. Is this the same Robert?
Who were their parents? Was this family group always in Mayo or did they migrate to Mayo from Donegal or Londonderry ? When/where did Robert Neeley Sr. die ?
Thanks. Nancy
NKN
Friday 24th Jul 2020, 08:06PMMessage Board Replies
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Hi Nancy
Unfortunately, the Church of Ireland records for Crossmolina Union (where you found the info above) are almost all that we have pre-Famine to seek answers to your questions.
I very much doubt you will find anything older re parents etc. But use the following resources to see if you can get 'probable' matches for the family members.
http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/civil-search.jsp
You should also check out the surviving church of Ireland records for neighbouring areas of Killala, Ballysakeery & Kilmoremoy for the pre-Famine period, You may get lucky.
As for the origins https://www.johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=Neely is a great resource.
I am almost certain that Neely is a Mac Neely originally who converted to Chuch of Ireland and dropped the Mac. They may have migrated with the other 'Ultaghs' or Ulster dispossed from the Donegal / Derry area after the Cromwellian wars of the 17th century. Unlike most of their comrades, they seem to have become protestants. This was not commonplace but did happen.
All the best
Liam Heffron
Moygownagh Mayo
Monday 7th Sep 2020, 11:56AM