John Kennedy of Mayoghil/Cooleman

[alexaia]

Hi,

I'm trying to find out more info on John Kennedy who would have been my great/great/great grandfather.  Possibly married to a Martha ? and had at least one child - Catherine (born 1817, married 3.2.1848, died 1.3.1907) who married Thomas Torrens.  Their marriage records refers to her father as John Kennedy, farmer of Mayoghil.

The 1818 & 25 Garvagh Church Visitation list does list a John Kennedy of Mayoghill and his wife Martha and children including a "Cathran" which may be the above. 

There is also reference to an 1821 Census for Derry on the Torrens.org site but which refers only to a John Kennedy and his family living at Cooleman (Is this a similar place or does it suggest a different family?).  The rest of the extract on this site does have detail of family members but not for the Kennedy entry.

I have been unable to locate this census extract.  Can anybody point me in the right direction for the 1821 Census for Derry as I would like to see if it holds any further detail of family members for the Kennedys?  If only to eliminate from my research.

Thanks

Alexaia

[aghadowey]

Mayoughill and Coolnaman (lots of different spellings for each) are separate townlands. According to my notes Catherine Kennedy was born c1824 and husband Thomas Torrens 25 Aug.1826.
As you've probably discovered by now, Kennedy and Torrens are the most common surnames in Moneydig/Garvagh area.

[alexaia]

Hi,

Thanks for your quick response.

Yes, unfortunately rather  large families to be researching.  Torrrens in particular, and the variances in spelling,  does not help!  I suspect the two Kennedy references now are different families given the separate townland though I suppose if I could track down that 1821 census I might be able to eliminate.

I'm interested to see that your notes have Catherine born around 1824 which differs to my record which I obtained from the "Hugh Torrens of Drumsara" tree on the Torrens web site showing 1817 based on age at dearth of 90 and date of death 1.3.1907.  Do you think these are the same people?  The date for the husband, Thomas Torrens, ties in.  (I have his date of death as 8.5.1889).

Thanks

Alexaia

[aghadowey]

I have Thomas Torrens (25 Aug.1826-8 May 1889), Culnaman & Drumsara, m.(3 Feb.1848 Moneydig Presbyterian Church) Catherine Kennedy (c1824-1 Mar.1907), dau. of John Kennedy, Mayoughill.
Added- I've any 4 children listed but there could certainly be others:
1.   Martha Torrens (c1847-3 Dec.1931).
2.   Ann Torrens.
3.   Hugh Torrens (d.28 Oct.1940).
4.   Mary Torrens.

[alexaia]

Looks definitely like the same family. 

In addition to the four children you mention I have a further two:
- Margaret Ann Torrens who married a Nichol and
- Elizabeth (b.1861) who married William Lynn Michael .

[aghadowey]

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Torrens (b.c1863 in my notes) married William Lynn Michael (b.c1861), son of James Michael & Hannah Lynn. (had notes on them but wasn't sure it was same Elizabeth Torrens).

[alexaia]

Thanks,

That's a couple more pieces of the jigsaw in place.

[aghadowey]

Do you want the children I have for William Lynn Michael?
1.   Annie Lynn Michael (c1888-1939).
2.   Adelia H./Hessie Delia Michael (c1890-1970).
3.   Elizabeth K. “Lizzie” Michael (c1893-1978).
4.   James John Michael (2 Dec.1898-1972).

[alexaia]

Thant's great, thanks.

I've been looking through my notes again and note that John Kennedy of Mayoghill was recorded as having 7 children in 1818 and I've got dates for the first 4 from 1st Garvagh Presbyterian Church records online:

Thos - 20.3.1806
Agnes - 3.8.1807
Margaret - 3.4.1810
Alexander - 13.1.1812

The last 3 are not recorded (and I'm making the presumption that it would have been the same church)
Martha - ?
Catherine - ? - (I have her as c1817 by age deduction from death record).
John - ?

I see ther seems to be a gap in records from 1816 -1822, do you know if these records are available elsewhere - you mentioned earlier that your notes show Catherine being born c1824 and I am wondering where you got that from?  I have tried PRONI but they have a similar gap.