Some time in the not too distant future I would like to take a trip to Ireland and visit the places my ancestors lived. I have visited Ireland before with breaks in Dublin and Cork. Great trips but no family connections. To be honest, the last time I visited Ireland I had no idea about … Continue reading An Ancestral Road Trip
Keenan
Police Raid 1890
Some of the best family history finds come from newspapers. Yes the official records will tell you where an ancestor was born and died, who they married etc but those records won’t tell you much about the type of person they were. Newspaper articles can tell a lot and it’s not always good news. I … Continue reading Police Raid 1890
Stories From The Poorhouse (Part 6) Margaret Keenan 1868-1886
My 2nd great aunt, Margaret Keenan was just 18 years old when she died on 19 September 1886. She was the 7th child of Irish immigrants, Patrick Keenan and Agnes Haughey and the closest in age to my great grandmother, Ellen Keenan. Ellen was my mother's paternal grandmother. Margaret was born in the Parish of … Continue reading Stories From The Poorhouse (Part 6) Margaret Keenan 1868-1886
Hugh Keenan 1837-1912
My family tree is on the Ancestry website. Those who have used the site will know that, when a name is added Ancestry offers hints to further records relating to that person. Sometimes these hints are useful, often they are not. I take a look and assess their relevance before either deleting or adding the … Continue reading Hugh Keenan 1837-1912
Born On This Day – Jessie Armit 1887-1968
Jessie Armit was the first cousin of my maternal grandfather, Hugh Brawley. Her mother Elizabeth Keenan and Hugh’s mother Ellen were sisters. Jessie was born on 1 November 1887 at 10 Hope Street, Newmains. There were eight Keenan sisters all close in age but when Elizabeth married John Armit in 1887 it caused a falling … Continue reading Born On This Day – Jessie Armit 1887-1968
Stories From the Poorhouse (Part 5) – The Keenan Orphans
In the 19th century for the poor life could change in an instant. Families who were managing fairly well to keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies could, in an instant, find themselves at the mercy of the parish. An illness, injury or other change of circumstances could leave a family … Continue reading Stories From the Poorhouse (Part 5) – The Keenan Orphans
Shaking The Branches 