Hello Diski,
I am a direct descendant of Edward McKey of Crossmolina. All I know about my ancestors in Ireland is below and I hope to fill out the story more and even further back in history if possible.
Upon leaving Ireland during the famine Edward an his brother were greatly successful in the Upper Midwest of the US, investing much of their wealth in Chicago real estate where the McKey influence continues to this day.
Edward's mother Maria Forrester also came to the US for Crossmolina and I seek any ancestor info on that branch also.
Any info available that you can share about Mckey and/or Forrester in Ireland is very greatly appreciated. Cheers! Bryan
From: "Carol"
Subject: [WI-Rock] Edward & Michael McKey bio, Forrester, Wood, Stevens, Tole, Folds
Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 18:13:32 -0500
From Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin, publ. 1889 - page 357-358
EDWARD McKEY and his twin brother Michael, were for many years prominent citizens and business men of Janesville. The following sketch of these gentlemen is taken from the Wisconsin Volume of the United States Biographical Dictionary.
Edward and Michael McKEY were twin brothers, born at Crossmolina, County Mayo, Ireland, on the 18th day of September, 1821. Their parents were Thomas and Maria (FORRESTER) McKEY. The brothers received their education mainly at home and at a private school in the neighborhood. At school they showed great precocity and while excelling in their studies generally evinced a marked aptitude for history and literature. They left school at the early age of fifteen years and were apprenticed to the dry goods business, entering the establishment of the leading merchant in that line in their native town. Although mere boys, they displayed unmistakable business qualifications and after four years of their apprenticeship had expired, prevailed upon their employer to release them from the indentures, still however remaining in his employ.
In 1840, Edward visited the United States, remaining for about six months.
At the age of twenty-two, (1843) the brothers commenced business (in Crossmolina) on their own account and soon developed a flourishing and extensive trade, which they carried on successfully until 1846, when they were overtaken by the great famine of that year which involved nearly the whole business career of the Island in ruin, and from which they, with every one else, suffered every severe losses. The young brothers, however, were full of energy and well directed ambition and determined at once to retrieve their fortunes in another land.
In the early part of 1847, they carried out their intention, emigrated to America, and located at Little falls, N.Y., buying out the business of N.H. WOOD, in the fall of the same year. While at that place, rumors of the resources and capacities of the great West reached their ears and like many others these marvelous reports attracted their serious attention. They therefore resolved to make another change and accordingly in 1849, removed to Wisconsin, opening a mercantile house first at Racine and shortly afterwards another at Janesville.
The full bio is at
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/WIROCK/2002-08/1030144266And... I just saw this info about Maria Forrester (Edward's Mother) at
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=57023285Maria Forrester McKey
Birth: 1799, Ireland
Death: Nov. 17, 1868
Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin, USA
Wife of Thomas McKey of Crossmolina, County Mayo, Ireland. Thomas died in Crossmolina "at age 60" according to parish records, on May 25, 1857. His widow Maria immigrated to America with their youngest child shortly afterwards to join their other children who were already there.
Children:
Edward and Michael (twins)
Ellen
Richard
Thomas
Elizabeth
John Martin
Albert
Robert Forrester
