Hello,
I'm researching my ancestor, James Kelly, born in Killygordon around 1825. He sailed for Philadelphia PA around 1840. I have not yet found him in immigration records, but family legend says that he was met at the dock by an older brother (name unknown) who worked for a shoe and bootmaker. James was intended for the job of apprentice there. Around 1848 James married Bridget Anna McMenamin from Ballybofey. They lived in Kellyville (now Upper Darby) a suburb of Philadelphia. Between 1851 - 1854 James Kelly is listed in Philadelphia's City Directory as "Kelly, Jas. H., Shoemaker, Warren below Pine." In the 1860 Census they appear in Philadelphia with children: James Jr., Margaret Mary, Catherine Helen, and Charles Francis. In the 1870 Census two more children appear, Jerome Thomas and Agnes Gertrude. Two other children (names unknown) died in infancy between 1850 and 1860. James lived in Philadelphia the rest of his life, and died there in 1908.
If this looks familiar, I hope to hear from you.
Thank you,
Jan Mulligan
jmulligan
Wednesday 6th Dec 2017, 08:07PMMessage Board Replies
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Jan:
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!
RC records for Donaghmore RC parish do not begin until and the Stranolar/Ballbofey records start in the 1870s so no church records would be available for James and Bridget.
You may be aware of this book already but Tom Gallen wrote a book called Donegal Generations https://www.amazon.com/Donegal-Generations-Tom-Gallen/dp/1482723972 which focuses on Donaghmore civil parish including Killygordon and also covers emigration to Philadelphia and the origins of "Kellyville".
You may want to add the story of James Kelly to our XO Chronicles site https://www.irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/history-and-genealogy/ancestor-dat…
You mayn also want to consider autosomal DNA testing.
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Wednesday 6th Dec 2017, 09:40PM