James KEENAN and Catherine REILLY had 10 children between 1866 and 1886.
I was interested in the ancestors and descendants of James Joseph KEENAN who was born on 26th February 1875 in Mornin, Taghshinny, Co. Longford. And also incidentally his brother Patrick, whose baptism I found but came across no further reference. What part of Westmeath was Patrick born in? The place in Westmeath could perhaps be his mother Catherine Reilly's home place, which would be of interest, as I was trying to trace her marriage.
I know nothing at all about James Joseph’s elder sister Brigid KEENAN who may have married Patrick LEDWITH. This is a Westmeath surname. As Brigid KEENAN was in 1866 in Carrickedmond, Co. Longford her marriage certificate should be available in GRO records if she married in Ireland. I wonder where she lived, as this could be a help in locating her in the 1901/1911 census.
Laurence KEENAN, born 1873 in Mornin, Taghshinny, Co. Longford (Source: GRO Record, Ballymahon, 1873, vol. 8, p. 36). He married Catherine [?] about. 1910. .Laurence was known as Lar or Larry. In the 1901 Census, Laurence's year of birth is estimated to be 1875 although this conflicts with GRO and RC Parish records. He is not married at this time.
He lived in the home place in Mornin. He married Catherine c. 1910.
I don’t know about the Kenny connection apart from the hints in the 1901/1911 census.
Present in the household in Mornin on census night in 1901 were:
James KEENAN, the head of the family, a Catholic 60 year old married farmer, who could read and write and was born in Co. Longford; Catherine Keenan, wife of the above, a Catholic housekeeper, who could read and write, also born in Co. Longford; their children, Bridget aged 33, housekeeper; Laurence, aged 26, farmer; Edward, aged 20, farmer; Thomas aged 18, farmer and finally Maggie Mary aged 15, scholar. All could read and write and Maggie Mary could speak both Irish and English. Also present was a nephew Michael Joseph KENNY. Not present on census night were Patrick, James Joseph, Catherine, Maria Anna and John.
On census night 1911 the following were present:
James KEENAN, now stating that his age is 76, his wife Catherine aged 65, now states that she was born in Westmeath rather than Longford as in 1901. The couple state that they have been married for 45 years and have had 10 children, all of whom are still living. Laurence is now 36, married to Catherine, aged 32 for less than a year and they have no children. Edward aged 30, a farmer's son is still living at home and single. Brigid KENNY, a single 24 year old niece from Westmeath is present as is Peter Nolan, a 12 year old servant, also described as scholar from Co. Longford.
The KENNY family connection. Michael Joseph KENNY, nephew, a scholar aged 10, born in Westmeath was present on the night of the census in 1901 and Bridget KENNY, niece, aged 24, occupation unspecified, was present in the Keenan household on census night in 1911. GRO birth certificates should be available for this family. As they are described as niece and nephew, they are related to the older generation of James KEENAN and Catherine Reilly, however it may be that Laurence married a KENNY cousin. His father’s name will be on his GRO marriage certificate. Again, a census search might turn this family up in Westmeath.
