Patrick Farrell (1854) Margaret Kennelly (1858)

MY SISTER AND I ARE IRELAND BOUND in July 2014, only 3 weeks from this posting, We have found our Co. Westmeath relations. Hurray! But STILL seek our Co Clare relations after searching for 20 years and even working with Clare Heritage Center and Kathleen Flynn, a good genealogist. Patrick Farrell was born in 1854 in County Clare (per dc) to John and Catherine Farrell (maiden name unkown). A William J. Farrell may have been a sibling of Pat's.  Pat emigrated probably in 1874, and we think his parents may have come to USA too, maybe separately. Margaret Kennelly was born in 1858 in Co. Clare or Co. Limerick to Edward Kennelly and Bridget Connors. Spelling of names is certain. The two married in Detroit Michigan in 1885. He was a blacksmith and a guard at Detroit House of Corrections, and did other things too. Patrick Farrell died in Detroit in 1924. Margaret Farrell died in 1903 in Pittsburgh, PA. They lived in Detroit, St. Paul, and Pittsburgh, and after Margaret's death, Patrick returned to Detroit, until his death in 1924. Our facts are very tight, but we cannot locate the parish!

According to Griffith's Valuation, East Clare had many many Farrells in the mid 1800s. So Patrick may hail from East Clare. But no records found by either the heritage center or the genealogist of anyone being born to a Catherine and John Farrell around that time. Griffith's Valuation for Kilfarboy (not East Clare) shows both a John Farrell and Edward Kennelly as tenant farmers.

We plan to head to Ennis for part of our trip. We are willing to go to any parish in any part of Clare to find a trace of these families. Having tasted victory in one branch of our Irish roots, we hope for the same for the Farrell and Kennely branches!  Suggestions?

Ellen Sward of Sacramento CA  at esward2@gmail.com