In my mother's family, people did not live very long. Her oldest sister, Lois, died when she was about 2. Catherine died at age 33. Mom died at age 59, 8 months and 9 days and Uncle Jimmy died at age 57. So, I am counting down to the day that I surpass all these Hogans. It will give us all hope that we inherited the Burns genes for longevity.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
John G. O'Connell, Man without a genealogical trail...
Today is the anniversary of John Galvin O'Connell's death. May he rest in peace. Every once in a while in genealogical research, there is an individual whose family of origin is a frustrating mystery.
Not even his obituary says he was from County Kerry! This is a bit unusual for a person who is well known in his vicinity. But St. Thomas lore differentiates two O'Connell families who lived there. The other O'Connell family was known as the Cork O'Connells and ours were known as the Kerry O'Connells.
In the first records for John G. in Delaware, Ohio, he appeared as John Connell. In the area of Delaware there were a number of O'Connells and in the St. Mary's Parish records, his name changes. At some point he started using "G" as his middle initial, I speculate to differentiate him from the other John Connells in the area. The O was also added. It could be that it was known that Connell takes an Ó, and so the priest or maybe John G. himself didn't bother to use it. The Ó on Irish names means "grandson of". The Ó could also mean descendant of. For the time in Ireland when they were under English pressure or rule, the Ó fell into disuse because it was a distinctive sign of being Irish and Catholic.
Below is John G. O'Connell's signature taken from the Derrynane Town Record book:
This gives us more than just a look at his signature. He was educated. This is often not the case with Irish immigrants of the famine time. Even on this page from the record book, there is a place for the petitioner to mark his "x".
While in Ohio, he lived in Brown Township, Delaware County. In this area were also Johanna O'Connell Kelleher (wife of Martin) and David O'Connell. It is fairly certain that Johanna is not his sister, because Johanna's granddaughter remembers John G. walking into the house in Belle Plaine and using the greeting "Hello, Cousin". Flimsy, I know, but of some help.
I think there is a good chance that David O'Connell of Brown Township is John's brother. Can't prove that either. I would really like to have a DNA test done on a descendant, but so far I have no takers even though I have put the offer out to pay.
There are known "relatives" of John G. O'Connell. Kate Galvin O'Leary lived in the St. Thomas area. Her father was Maurice Galvin. It is believed that Maurice was John G.'s uncle. This family did leave a trail!! Ma (Ann O'Connell Burns) told me that Grandpa O'Connell used the G as his middle initial because his mother's maiden name was Galvin. In records in Ireland, this name is recorded interchangeably as Gallivan or Galvin. This has not helped me at all in finding John G.'s or David's baptismal records.
There are also other related Galvin families. Ma remembers the family of Kate Galvin Maloney visiting in St. Thomas. She was particularly intrigued with the children's names. They had a daughter Mary and a son Thomas. They called the daughter "Ray". Ma wondered out loud what they called the son. (See Thomas G. Burns--it is hereditary--even Ma would do it!!!). It turns out that Mary's middle name was Rachel, so possibly the "Ray" nickname came from that.
The Kerry Church records are now online. What a boon, but I cannot find John, David or Johanna in them! They were born about 1829, 1830 and 1827 respectively.
Johanna O'Connell Kelleher made the claim to be related to Daniel O'Connell the Liberator. This information turns out to have some credence. Dick O'Connell was gracious enough to give up his DNA for a test. It turns out that our O'Connells are related to Daniel. Sheila, Daniel's ggg granddaughter, agreed to upgrade her brother's DNA test to 67 markers. It was pretty exciting when we had a 25/25 match. With the upgrade, we have a 61/67 match. This means we are related but the common ancestor is not very recent. This proves true for Sheila's database. None of the 3 O'Connells mentioned above--John, David or Johanna--fit into her extensive data base. Why didn't any of these people write down their secrets!!!!!!!! And, why didn't the Belle Plaine reporter who recorded this story use those 5 WH questions? The secret is probably somewhere in Daniel's parents--O'Connell marrying O'Connell and 3rd cousins to boot.
Deep breath.
John G. O'Connell had a prayer book. This made me think of Dad. Unfortunately, when I tried to get back to look at it, it was too late. It was in the possession of Lucille O'Connell Talbot, daughter of Sylvester O'Connell, son of John G. May John and all the deceased in his prayer book and in Dad's rest in peace.
Not even his obituary says he was from County Kerry! This is a bit unusual for a person who is well known in his vicinity. But St. Thomas lore differentiates two O'Connell families who lived there. The other O'Connell family was known as the Cork O'Connells and ours were known as the Kerry O'Connells.
In the first records for John G. in Delaware, Ohio, he appeared as John Connell. In the area of Delaware there were a number of O'Connells and in the St. Mary's Parish records, his name changes. At some point he started using "G" as his middle initial, I speculate to differentiate him from the other John Connells in the area. The O was also added. It could be that it was known that Connell takes an Ó, and so the priest or maybe John G. himself didn't bother to use it. The Ó on Irish names means "grandson of". The Ó could also mean descendant of. For the time in Ireland when they were under English pressure or rule, the Ó fell into disuse because it was a distinctive sign of being Irish and Catholic.
Below is John G. O'Connell's signature taken from the Derrynane Town Record book:
While in Ohio, he lived in Brown Township, Delaware County. In this area were also Johanna O'Connell Kelleher (wife of Martin) and David O'Connell. It is fairly certain that Johanna is not his sister, because Johanna's granddaughter remembers John G. walking into the house in Belle Plaine and using the greeting "Hello, Cousin". Flimsy, I know, but of some help.
I think there is a good chance that David O'Connell of Brown Township is John's brother. Can't prove that either. I would really like to have a DNA test done on a descendant, but so far I have no takers even though I have put the offer out to pay.
There are known "relatives" of John G. O'Connell. Kate Galvin O'Leary lived in the St. Thomas area. Her father was Maurice Galvin. It is believed that Maurice was John G.'s uncle. This family did leave a trail!! Ma (Ann O'Connell Burns) told me that Grandpa O'Connell used the G as his middle initial because his mother's maiden name was Galvin. In records in Ireland, this name is recorded interchangeably as Gallivan or Galvin. This has not helped me at all in finding John G.'s or David's baptismal records.
Kate Galvin O'Leary and Julia Galvin Moriarty
Records for the Galvins can be found in the Ballybunion Church records. Maurice's whole family emigrated and lived for a while in Dakota County and then in St. Paul. Kate O'Leary lived in St. Thomas and sons John and Michael lived near Morris, Stevens County, Minnesota.There are also other related Galvin families. Ma remembers the family of Kate Galvin Maloney visiting in St. Thomas. She was particularly intrigued with the children's names. They had a daughter Mary and a son Thomas. They called the daughter "Ray". Ma wondered out loud what they called the son. (See Thomas G. Burns--it is hereditary--even Ma would do it!!!). It turns out that Mary's middle name was Rachel, so possibly the "Ray" nickname came from that.
The Kerry Church records are now online. What a boon, but I cannot find John, David or Johanna in them! They were born about 1829, 1830 and 1827 respectively.
Johanna O'Connell Kelleher made the claim to be related to Daniel O'Connell the Liberator. This information turns out to have some credence. Dick O'Connell was gracious enough to give up his DNA for a test. It turns out that our O'Connells are related to Daniel. Sheila, Daniel's ggg granddaughter, agreed to upgrade her brother's DNA test to 67 markers. It was pretty exciting when we had a 25/25 match. With the upgrade, we have a 61/67 match. This means we are related but the common ancestor is not very recent. This proves true for Sheila's database. None of the 3 O'Connells mentioned above--John, David or Johanna--fit into her extensive data base. Why didn't any of these people write down their secrets!!!!!!!! And, why didn't the Belle Plaine reporter who recorded this story use those 5 WH questions? The secret is probably somewhere in Daniel's parents--O'Connell marrying O'Connell and 3rd cousins to boot.
Deep breath.
John G. O'Connell had a prayer book. This made me think of Dad. Unfortunately, when I tried to get back to look at it, it was too late. It was in the possession of Lucille O'Connell Talbot, daughter of Sylvester O'Connell, son of John G. May John and all the deceased in his prayer book and in Dad's rest in peace.
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