Martin Kenny from Galway 1851

Thank you for your offer to "have a go" where others have failed.

There is not a lot to go on. What I know follows;

 The first definite showing of my greatgrandfather,Martin Kenny, is on the 1861 English census.Actually he is missing from it, but his wife and the eldest children are there in Newton upon Ouse, Yorkshire. This census is indexed, but no sign of him. He is present in1871 and 1881, but the "Where Born" column just gives Galway, Ireland. Martins given age varies from 45 in 1871, 52 in 1881 and 54 at his death in 1885.

There is a Martin Kenny, age 26, born Ireland in the 1851 English census that is very likely him. It is  in the parish of Overton which adjoins Newton and is owned by the same landlord who owns Newton upon Ouse. It shows him married, but no Mary. There are two Mary Kennys in the surrounding area but they are shown as unmarried. There are no marriages in the English records that fit Martin and Mary, so maybe they were married in Ireland.

His wife, Mary, gives her age as 31 in 1861, 42 in 1871, 48 in 1881, 61 in 1891 and  62 at her death in 1896. The "Where Born" column of 1861 gives Co. Galway and the 1891 gives Calien, Ireland, the others just Galway.

My grandfather's [William] birth certificate gives Mary's maiden name as Cayton. Their other childrens certificates give Keating and other variations like Keaton.

Family lore tells us that Thomas Kenny who also lived in Newton upon Ouse was Martins brother. Two ladies who were granddaughters of Thomas told me this was true.

Here is what I know about Thomas; Married in 1856, age 28 in England.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Good luck, and thank you for having a go.

Best wishes Don Kenny