I’m looking for information that may connect seven Irishmen named Sheedy who all were linked in some way in Brooklyn New York during the mid to late nineteenth century. One of these men, Patrick Sheedy, is my G-G Grandfather.
I do know that at least two of the men, Patrick and William Sheedy, were brothers. I assume that Patrick Sheedy was born about 1826 near Roscrea, County Tipperary. His brother William was born about 1825. The two brothers bought adjoining burial plots in Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn. In one of these graves is buried Martin Sheedy who lived between about 1831 and 1857. Presumably, Martin was another brother or cousin. Martin’s gravestone records that he was a native of Roscrea, County Tipperary.
There are records showing that the parents of William Sheedy were John Sheedy (abt. 1796 - ?) and Bridget Quinn. Griffith’s Valuation of 1855 shows that John Sheedy and his wife may have been tenants on a property in an area known as Hillsborough which is a short distance northwest of Roscrea.
The following Sheedy men also appear to be connected to Patrick Sheedy in one way or another (marriage witnesses, citizenship by naturalization witnesses, acting as Godparents, living in the same building or next door, etc.).
John Sheedy (abt. 1817-1891)
Rodger Sheedy (abt. 1823 -1894)
James Sheedy (abt. 1820 - ? )
Michael Sheedy (abt. 1825 - ? )
All these men were Irish immigrants. Patrick, William, John, Martin and Rodger are known to be buried in the same cemetery.
I have some information about Patrick, William, John, and Rodger as they lived in Brooklyn. I know virtually nothing about their origins in Ireland.
Thank you.
TMcGuire
Wednesday 2nd Oct 2019, 01:57AMMessage Board Replies
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Attached Files
Miriam
Thank you so much!
I had seen these records before but didn't interpret them the way you did. I certainly missed the common connection of the sponsor Darby Shanahan.
Barnane doesn't seem far from Cullahill Townland where I found a Michael, Rodger and John Sheedy living next to each in the Nov 1847 Ireland Land Valuation. Record attached. I'll have to learn how to decipher these records.
I have hesitated to make connections like these because I have found so much repetition in Irish names of the 19th century even when they lived in close proximity. At least that's been the case with many of my other Irish ancestors.
Michael Sheedy married an Irishwoman named Catherine Tracy in Brooklyn on 8 May 1850. This may be the Catherine Tracy found in Boolareagh Townland directly to the west of Cullahill. Record attached. William Sheedy married Mary Darmody in Roscrea on 23 February 1857, although I have some reason to believe this may have been a second marriage after his first wife died in New York City. All the other Sheedy brothers were married (at least three in the same Brooklyn church) but the Irish birthplace of these wives is either unknown or outside County Tipperary.
It seems that most of my Sheedy ancestors left in a fairly short window of time and all ended up in Brooklyn (although it appears Michael spent most of his life in the United States in lower Manhattan).
Tom
TMcGuire
Thursday 3rd Oct 2019, 02:49AM -
Miriam
This is very helpful! I have some more work to do.
My wife and I were in Ireland for a couple of weeks last year and spent an afternoon in Roscrea and took the castle tour (really well done). I did not conduct any genealogical research during the trip.
I hope to return in a few months but this time do some research in Tipperary among other places. Is there a resource/museum near Roscrea or in the County that would be particularly worthwhile visiting that might have more information than is be available online and/or which would give insight into the local conditions of the famine and pre-famine era?
Was Sheedy a relatively common name around Roscrea back then? Compared to other Irish surnames that I've been researching in the New York City area, Sheedy is relatively uncommon.
Tom
TMcGuire
Friday 4th Oct 2019, 10:42PM -
Good morning Tim:
I have passed this query to a Roscrea volunteer who will be able to assist you further with your research.
A very Happy New Year to you!
Kind regards,
Jane
Jane Halloran Ryan
Wednesday 8th Jan 2020, 01:00PM -
i was searching for references to Honorah sheedy in refferring to a court case , timeframe unknown ( although seemed to point to 183-) . When to my surprise i found a clue in clonmel , county tipperary . I also found a Honorah Sheedy in north London in 1951 , she was aged approx 20so her birth date was approx. 1931 ...from tipperary , Eire .
kenneth
Friday 4th Dec 2020, 11:01PM
