Good day all,
This is my first foray into this County, having had ancestors in what seems to be every other county in Ireland. So I am not unfamiliar with the research difficulties.
I have a great grandfather Michael McKEOWEN arriving in NZ around 1875. This surname spelling is what he seems to have adopted. The only immigration record in any way close is a "Michl McKEOWN", aboard the ship "Fernglen" arriving in Auckland in April 1875, as a native of Kings County, aged 23, single (extracted from FamilySearch). He seems to have settled in Wellington. The stated age fit in with the dates given at his marriage and death. His death certificate gives his place of birth as Ireland - very helpful! It states his parents as John and Margaret. He married (in Wellington, NZ) a Catherine BRADLEY from Cty Kerry in 1879. His own sons were named Henry, John, James.
A search of Griffiths (1854) in Offaly gives only 3 surname similarities that I can find:
McKEOHAN Michael, Tinnamuck West, Kilmanagh,
McKEON Bridget, Fearroy, Kilcumreragh,
McKEON Michael, Faheeran, Kilcumreragh.
I guess I have 3 queries:
1. Does anyone have any connection with this name in Offaly, or indeed NZ?
2. What RC parish would these McKeown's have attended?
3. I can't seem to find any closely relevant birth/baptism date for a Michael around the relevant date through
https://rootsireland.ie/ifhf/ which at the moment is my source of information. Is there somewhere else I should look?
Any leads or hints would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Bryan
Christchurch
NZ