An explanation of the spelling of names and locations: I've tried to use the oldest official record I can find to determine the spelling. My grandmother, Bridget Conneely's maiden name is spelled numerous ways in official documents such as ship registers, marriage, birth and death certificates; Conneely, Connelly, Connolly, Conley. etc. The 1901 & 1911 Irish Census forms has the name spelled as Conneely and the village as Teeranea (aka Tiemee, Tiernee, Tir an Fhia).
Something I learned about Irish (Gaelic*) names from my cousin Martin Gavin, they can differ depending upon male or female. A son has the same surname as the father where as a daughter or wife's name can vary. John O'Malley's Irish surname is Ó Maille, but his wife and daughter's surname is Ni Mhaille. Great grandfather Patrick Conneely's Irish surname is Ó Conghaile, his daughters and wife's surname is Ni Conghaile. If you are searching records you have to keep an open mind and have a wide latitude for the spelling and dates.
On the subject of names; John O'Malley & Bridget Conneely are anglicised versions of my grandparents names. England occupied Ireland for centuries (mid 16th century until the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921). As a result the Irish language was nearly eradicate. The Irish Free State was established in 1937 and the Republic of Ireland was formerly established in 1949. When my grandparents were born they were Irish citizens under English rule. When they immigrated to America they had English passports, with names spelled in English. In 1921 when Grandfather John O'Malley became a naturalized US citizen he had to renounce his loyalty to King George V of England.
*The word “Gaelic” derives from the Irish word Gaeilge (sounds Gwal-gah). To the enlighten, the Irish language is referred to as Irish, not Gaelic (i.e. French speak French, Germans speak German, the Irish speak Irish!).
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A traditional naming pattern often used by Irish parents until the later 19th century:
- First son usually named for the father's father
- Second son usually named for the mother's father
- Third son usually named for the father
- Fourth son usually named for the father's eldest brother
- Fifth son usually named for the mother's eldest brother
- First daughter usually named for the mother's mother
- Second daughter usually named for the father's mother
- Third daughter usually named for the mother
- Fourth daughter usually named for the mother's eldest sister
- Fifth daughter usually named for the father's eldest sister.
