Introductory message from a Kelly of Kilmanagh

I have just joined this site.

My ancestors on my father's side came from Co. Kilkenny, principally Kilmanagh, though there are references in the family tree to Ballykeefe, which I understand is, or was, near Kilmanagh. Possibly part of the Parish of Kilmanagh.

Relatives have done substantial work on our family tree. I have recently resumed my own work on the tree. In due course I expect to post specific questions which someone may be able to assist me with.

Most, if not all of my Kelly ancestors migrated to Australia, specifically the State of Victoria, around the late 1840's to early 1850's.

I visited Kilmanagh briefly around 1976 and inspected Parish records. With the notes I took then and the work done by my relatives I need to do some reconcilaition of the information. At the time of my visit, the then PArish Priest said there were no Kelly's left in the Parish. He said the last he knew of had been a post-mistress with the name Kelly who had died a few years before. I do not know whether that lady was related to my family. In the parish records for the 1800 to 1850 period there were many Kelly's in the area.

If anyone knew the postmistress I refer to above i would be interested to hear.

Geoff Kelly