Paul and Maureen Keenan with their children Aisling and Kieran dropped into the Parish Office on Monday 12th October.
Paul has been 'tracing his roots' for some time now and was delighted to see his great great grandparent's marriage entry in the register.
Paul has been 'tracing his roots' for some time now and was delighted to see his great great grandparent's marriage entry in the register.
As a 'thank you' for the research, Paul was overwhelmingly generous is donating two laptops - one for family searches and one for use by the T.L.C. Group. Now the T.L.C.'s can learn all about 'surfing the net'!
Paul's great great great grandmother was Anne Lindsay, so we took Paul to 'Lindsaystown' - the area just above Kernan Lough, where one wall still stands of the old house.
Paul and Maureen with Kernan Lough in the background.
Liz Treanor, although from the Highlands of Scotland herself, was able to help with the "Kernan Keenan search"
Aisling Keenan capturing the Kernan view on her camera.
| Keenan, McCaffrey & Lindsey | by Paul Thomas Keenan from Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, Scotland 28. November 2008 |
Hi everyone a fantastic site, keep up the great work. I know from personal experience how helpful everyone is at 'the Den' where I saw the record of the marriage of my gr gr grandparents Thomas Keenan and Cecilia McCaffrey married at St Johns in 1854 there were other Keenans and Byrne's and McCaffreys in the records however, not sure of any definate connections. Thomas and Cecilia came to Johnstone, Scotland in 1857 and a few others from the parish followed across the Irish sea. I think my Keenans were in Loughans townland but not sure. Thomas had a brother William who married Sarah Thompson in 1850 and a possible brother/cousin who married Catherine Treanor in 1853 (all St John's) Their parents were John Keenan and Anne nee Lindsey/Lindsay both born c 1795 and we think they originated outside the parish or even the county Down. Cecilia's bc 1830 had a sister Margaret 1832 and Elizabeth b 1838 who married a John Keenan (another brother or cousin)?parents were John McCaffrey and Margaret Byrne both c 1800. If anyone can give any info. on where Keenans/Lindsays McCaffreys and Byrnes lived or where they originated I would be very grateful. Even the smallest piece of seemingly useless fragments might be very significant/important. Also, if anyone needs access to Scots data please let me know as the mill factory skills honed in Tullylish in 1830-1860 period were in great demand around West Renfrewshire in the mid 19th century and it seems that many left Tullylish to live in Scotland or to save the fare to the US. if you lost some people they may not all have made it to the US directly and many spent 5/10/15 years before going to US... many stayed on in Scotland. I wish everyone a peaceful and holy Christmas and hope to get over to your lovely town again in 2009 Slan go Foill Paul