This blog post is one of several that I hope will assist me in
locating the townlands and parishes of my ancestors in Ireland. My brother, sister and I will be visiting Ireland and staying in Kerry in 2019.
Kerryman Matthew Moynahan
My 4th great grandfather Matthew Moynahan (1770-1860) emigrated from county Kerry in the 1820s with my 4th great grandmother Honora (O'Leary) Moynahan (b. 1774) and Matthew died in Maidstone, Ontario in 1860. Matthew and Honora had six sons and three daughters in Ireland.
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| Burial record: 5 Feb 1860 (Maidstone, Ontario) Source: Catholic Church Records, Drouin Collection (1747-1967) |
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| Matthew Moynahan's 1856 memorial registration at the Archives of Ontario (GS 987 Sandwich Township, Essex County, Deed, Vol. D, 1857-1860, #581-993) |
Kerryman Dennis Moynahan
My 3rd great grandfather Denis Moynahan (1787-1885) emigrated from county Kerry the same time (1820s) and married Catherine Roach at Ste. Anne's Roman Catholic church in Detroit Michigan in 1833 om the 29th of April.
Kerryman Timothy Moynahan
My 4th great-uncle Timothy Moynahan (1813-1902) tells the story of his emigration from County Kerry as follows
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| Detroit Free PressNovember 25, 1900 |
Timothy describes his passage from Kerry, Ireland to Windsor, Ontario.
"To begin at the beginning, I was born in Count Kerry eighty seven years ago and came over when I was nine years of age, my folks settling in Pennsylvania where we lived three years before coming to Windsor.The Thomas of Cork, Captain Bamfield , master, was the ship upon which we sailed. She was an old war remnant, as slow as molasses in January and the trip occupied six weeks and three days.
A lonely voyage it would have been too if it had not been for the fact that there were sixty-two women, a flute player and a piper aboard. The women were wives of soldiers that were serving the crown in this country, and they were coming over to join their husbands.Between the women and the musicians, the time passed pleasantly. The piper was an untiring Highlander, and he succeeded in driving all the rats from the old schooner. The music of the Scotch bagpipes will do that same you know."
Moynahans in County Kerry Ireland 1688
I have struggled researching Irish records and have been unsuccessful locating any that directly connect to my ancestors.
For example, there is a reference to "Teague Moynahan in the "The Forfeitures of 1688" (found in Selections From Old Kerry Records: Historical And Genealogical; by Hickson, Mary Agnes) has intrigued me because I do NOT understand what is actually going on in this list where "Teague Moynahan" appears as No. 2220.
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| Selections From Selections From Old Kerry Records: Historical And Genealogical; by Hickson, Mary Agnes |
This is the enlarged view of the section that I wish to understand starting at "No. 2220"
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| Selections From Old Kerry Records: Historical And Genealogical; by Hickson, Mary Agnes |
- The history of landholding in Ireland – Joseph Fisher (of Youghal, the younger.) (1877) Free eBook on Google
County Kerry 1700s-1820s
Draconian anti-Catholic legislation (called the Penal Laws) was imposed from 1703 limiting the right of Catholics to own property above a certain value; to hold public positions; and to receive education.
According to "Families of Co Kerry" by O'Laughlin referrencing the 1901 census work by J. King:
Between 1703 and 1820 there was a lot of upheaval in County Kerry:
According to "Families of Co Kerry" by O'Laughlin referrencing the 1901 census work by J. King:
The name Moynihan, Monighan was one
of the more numerous family names in Co. Kerry, 183 families are given
there. In 1776 lived Arthur of Stagmount, Malaky of Knockaliffan, Thady
of Rhabeg, Darby of Carrum, Thady of Newbridgt. Humphrey Moynihan of
Rathbeg, m. Catherine O'Connell, sister of the Liberator.. Spellings of the name are numerous with Moynihan, Monighan, Monaghan and Monahan. given."
Between 1703 and 1820 there was a lot of upheaval in County Kerry: - 1780- Rural Rioting throughout the decade
- 1793- The Dingle Massacre"In Dingle there was a British army post. In the year 1793 there was a major agitation against excessive rent by tennats of the Mullins estate. At a big demonstration in Dingle in June, 1793, the soldiers, on Mullins orders, opened fire, killing fourteen and wounding many others." (Source: Discovering Kerry by T. J. Barrington page 234)
- 1821- Rural Rioting, Tithe Wars, Martial law declared
- 1820's- Daniel O'Connell of Kerry Catholic Emancipation Movement
The Moynahans in Ontario
1820s to 1920s
Because we have not located the emigration records or any records of the three years our MOynahan ancestors may have stayed in Pennsylvania, all that we know about our Moynahan ancestors was learned from records found in Canada and the United States.
We also have the wonderful story of the Kerry woman from the crossroads in Kenmare who lived right next to my 3rd great-grandfather Dennis Moynahan Margaret (Sullivan) O'Falvey (1825-1884) in Maidstone, Ontario who may also provide clues to our Kerry Roots.
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| Source: Ancestry.com. Ireland, Lawrence Collection of photographs, 1870 - 1910 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. |
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| Source: Ancestry.com. Ireland, Lawrence Collection of photographs, 1870 - 1910 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. |
1820-1830
- 1822 Timothy Moynahan (9 years old) emigrates from County Kerry on "The Thomas of
Cork, Captain Bamfield , master," and he and his family settled "in Pennsylvania where we lived
three years before coming to Windsor......there were
sixty-two women, a flute player and a piper aboard. The women were wives of
soldiers that were serving the crown in this country, and they were coming over
to join their husbands."(Source: Detroit Free Press 1901)
- 1825 Patrick Moynahan was located by Col. Thos. Talbot at 289 North Talbot Rd, Maidstone, Ontario
- 1830 Joanna Moynahan married Patrick Sullivan in New York, USA
- 1830 Denis Moynahan was located by Col. Thos. Talbot at 6 South Middle Rd., Maidstone, Ontario
- 1831 Denis Moynahan's marriage record states that he "arrived in Detroit in 1831."
- 1831 Matthew Moynahan was located by Col. Thos. Talbot at 296 North Talbot Rd. Sandwich, Ontario in
- 1832 James Moynahan married Catherine Hart in Oct at St. Anne's , Detroit, Michigan
- 1832 James Moynahan was located by Col. Thos. Talbot at 290 North Talbot Rd. Sandwich, Ontario
- 1833 Denis Moynahan married Catherine Roach April 29 at St. Anne's , Detroit, Michigan
- 1837 Jeremiah Moynahan born on 6 SMR, Maidstone, Ontario
- 1839 Jeremiah Moynahan born on 6 SMR, Maidstone, Ontario (27 March) (according to 1901 census)
- 1842 Mary (Brennan) Moynahan born (March 20) in Kerry, Ireland
- 1847 Dennis Moynahan recieves his land grant of 100 Acres (6 SMR, Maidstone, Ontario)
- 1853 the Brennan family emigrates from Count Kerry, Ireland to America (Source: 1911 Census)
- 1858 James Moynahan died January 1 in Wayne, Michigan U.S.A.
- 1860 Matthew Moynahan died February 3 in Essex, Ontario
- 1860 Mathew Moynahan dies (Feb ) in Maidstone, Ontario
- 1863 the Brennan family emigrates from Count Kerry, Ireland to America (Source: 1921 Census)
- 1871 Catherine (Roach) Moynahan died March 10 in London, Ontario (burial unknown)
- 1881 John Brennan died April 21 and he is buried in St. Mary's cemetery in Maidstone
- 1882 Jeremiah Moynahan died AApr 26) in Detroit Michigan
- 1885 Denis Moynahan died in Detroit (Aug 26) and is buried in the Mt Elliott cemetery
- 1891 Catherine (Bowler) Brennan died and she is buried in St. Mary's cemetery in Maidstone
- 1891 Joanna (Moynahan) Sullivan died (Feb 4) in Webster, Michigan
- 1893 John Moynahan bcomes Clerk of the First Sabdwich South Ton Council
- 1922 Jeremiah Moynahan died June 22 and he is buried in St. Mary's cemetery in Maidstone
- 1926 Mary (Brennan) Moynahan died June 26 and she is buried in St. Mary's cemetery in Maidstone
Ireland Townland Clues
Our 3rd Great-grandparents 1833 Marriage Certificate
Our 3rd great-grandparents (Denis Moynahan and Catherine Roach) were married in Detroit at Ste.Anne's Roman Catholic church on the 29th of April 1833. The original french records were later transcribed and record two different parishes in county Kerry.
Parish of Himeguennay County Kerry
Parish of Kilcrohane County Kerry
There is no question that Moyahans and Learys were plentiful plentiful in county Kerry
at the time of Griffiths valuation which took place between 1848 and 1862 which is over a decade after Denis and Catherine were married in Detroit.
at the time of Griffiths valuation which took place between 1848 and 1862 which is over a decade after Denis and Catherine were married in Detroit.
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| Source: John Grenham's "Irish Ancestors": Moynahan & Leary |
Similarly, when we look at the "The Tithe Applotment Books" which were compiled between 1823 and 1838, the Moynahans an Learys are plentiful in county Kerry.
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| Source: National Library of Ireland |
Where in Kerry Are The Moynahans From?
Keeping in mind that the Detroit marriage records, as inconsistent as the parishes are, point to County Kerry consistently. I state this because often when researching "Kilcrohane, Kerry" I receive comments that Kilcrohane is in County Cork.
With Kilcrohane, Cork ruled out, the two most likely parishes are either Kilcrohane in Dunkerron or Kilcummin in Magunihy.
The Griffiths Valuation of Ireland for Kilcummin, County Kerry reads like the Maidstone Directory with surnames like: Bowler, Brennan, Cahill, Collins, Connell, Cronin, Crowley, Falvey, Foley, Hickey, Leary, Lynch, Lyon, McCarthy, McSweeny, Moynahan, Moynihan, Murphy, Neill, O'Brien, O'Leary, O'Roirdan, O'Sullivan and Walsh o name a few.
The Griffiths Valuation of Ireland for Kilcummin, County Kerry reads like the Maidstone Directory with surnames like: Bowler, Brennan, Cahill, Collins, Connell, Cronin, Crowley, Falvey, Foley, Hickey, Leary, Lynch, Lyon, McCarthy, McSweeny, Moynahan, Moynihan, Murphy, Neill, O'Brien, O'Leary, O'Roirdan, O'Sullivan and Walsh o name a few.
Kilcrohane Civil Parish in Dunkerron
Kilcummin Parish in Magunihy
On the Samuel Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837) map below, on either side of the town of Kenmare, you can see Kilcrohane, (a parish in the barony of Dunkerron), at the bottom left and Kilcummin (a civil parish in Magunihy) in the upper right.
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| Source: Samuel Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837) |
A summary of research sources for Kilcrohane Civil Parish, Kerry
- 5 record(s) in Lewis's Topographical Dictionary (1837)
- 2 headstone transcripts/graveyards
- 10 census-type record(s)
- 5 estate record(s)
- 20 book format local histories
- No periodical references found
- 8 church records
- 4 local or family history journal(s)
- No directories listed
- 9 General Register Office record(s)
- 45 wills records
- 27 newspaper indexes
Kilcrohane Links
- From the 1837 Topical Dictionary of Ireland
- Kilcrohane: https://www.libraryireland.com/topog/K/Kilcrohane-Dunkerron-Kerry.php
- Kilcummin: https://www.libraryireland.com/topog/K/Kilcummin-Magonihy-Kerry.php The
- Sullivans of West Cork https://www.libraryireland.com/WestCorkHistory/OSullivans.php
- Holy Wells of Cork & Kerry https://holywellsofcork.com/gazetteer-county-kerry/
- Kilcrohane from "My Family Story" http://familyhistorybymaryellen.blogspot.com/2013/03/kilcrohane-parish.html
- Daniel O'Connell https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1820-1832/member/oconnell-daniel-1775-1847
- 1664 Dispossessed Land Owners A list of 76 Kerry landowners who lost their land under Cromwell settlements. Ir.Gen Vol 4 No. 4 (1971)
- 1718 Rental of Kenmare Estate online at www.irishmanuscripts.ie
- 1755 Rental of Earl of Listowel Over 100 major tenants in Listowel area, name, holding & rent. Online at www.flyleaf.ie/blog
- 1796 Linen Board Premiums for Persons Growing Flax – Name & parish of over 900 Kerry person
- 1823-1839 Tithe Applotment Survey . Online
- 1828 Castleisland Tenant Petition to Daniel O’Connell – Twenty four tenants from the area asking O’Connell to represent them in court. Online at flyleaf.ie/blog
- Fáilte Romhat: site contains genealogical information extracted from various census, directories, cemeteries and newspapers.
Kerry Local History Books
- Sneem, The Knot in the Ring; T.E. Stoakley
- Discovering Kerry; T.J Barrington
- Houses of Co. Kerry; V.A. Bary; 247 p. Details county families
- The famine in Kerry; Michael Costello
- Handbook of Co. Kerry Family History etc; H. A Denny
- Old world colony : Cork and South Munster 1630-1830; David Dickson
- Finding your Ancestors in Kerry; Kay Moloney Caball
- A Guide to Tracing your Kerry Ancestors; Michael O'Connor
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