Surname Saturday - Kelly

Due to the generosity of a cousin, I have recently been able to take my Kelly line back a generation to Ireland. My Kelly line begins with John Kelly who was born in the late 1700's in Ireland. (I'm working to narrow that down. Records I have found indicate 1783-1798). He married Polly Minchin, who was born about 1799 in Askinfarney, County Wexford, Ireland. They had nine children, all born in Askinfarney.

1. John Kelly, born about 1819. He married Eliza LNU. They had at least two children, John and Minnie and lived in Adams, Jefferson, New York.
2. Maria Kelly, born about 1821. She married Thomas Hennesy. They lived in Canada, Adams, New York and Grand Rapids, Michigan.
3. Michael Kelly, born about 1823. He married Mary LNU. They lived in Adams, New York and had at least seven children; John, Ann, James, Philip, Mary, William and George.
4. Catherine Kelly, born about 1826. She married Michael Flood. They lived in Adams, New York and had several children.
5. Bridget Kelly, born about 1829. Married James Hennesy.
6. Ann Kelly, born about 1832. Never married?
7. Rebecca Kelly, born about 1835. She married James Quinlen and they lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
8. Eliza Kelly, born about 1838. Never married?
9. Margaret Frances Kelly, born 1841. She married William H. Minchin in 1866. They lived in Ontario, Canada and had several children.

My line:

John Kelly c. 1798 Ireland > Canada > Adams, New York
> Michael Kelly c1823 Askinfarney, Ireland > Canada > Adams, New York
>> James Kelly  1856 - 1936 Canada > New York > Ontario, Canada
>>> Mary Leith Kelly 1900 - 1970 Calabogie, Ontario > Ottawa > Syracuse, NY
>>>> Harvey G. Berry 1926 - 2000
>>>>> Me

Wm. H. Minchin Journal - Treasure Chest Thursday

I was recently contacted by a distant cousin from a line I hadn't yet discovered! She very generously shared with me the journal in which her great-grandfather (my 2nd great-grand uncle) had recorded much of our family history. So far I have concentrated on just my Kelly line, it will take me weeks to digest and enter all the information in the journal!

On this page is the family of my great-grandfather, James Kelly.

His father, grandfather and other family members are listed on these two pages, along with where they lived and hints about their children.

And if that wasn't exciting enough at the bottom of the page it says, "All the above 9 children of John Kelly were born in Askinfarnie."

So not only do I now know who my 3rd great-grandparents were, I know that they came from Askinfarney, County Wexford, Ireland!

Fashionable to Practical

May (Jarvis) Berry, Thomas Jarvis, Elizabeth (Peter) Jarvis, Charlotte (Hollington, Berry) Sanders, Thomas David Berry. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 1920's (Charlotte's husband, Harvey Harry Sanders, was most likely the photographer)

Thomas David Berry was my grandfather's brother. I initially thought this picture was probably taken on his wedding day in 1922 but after looking at the hemlines and cloche hats the ladies are sporting I not believe that the picture may be from c. 1925-1926. No matter the year, they were a well turned out group!

May's dress is very pretty and has a lot of detail. Her mother, Elizabeth, doesn't look very comfortable in this picture! My great-grandmother, Lottie, was always a fashionable lady, check out the fox tail she is sporting!. Mr. Jarvis is wearing a sport coat and holding a straw hat. Uncle Tom is wearing striped suit and holding a camera. Note that the only person without glasses is May.

Fast forward forty years to Easter 1962 and Tom and May still looked great! They were visiting in Syracuse, NY that spring. Note that May now has a fashionable pair of glasses.

Back: Mom, May (Jarvis) Berry, Tom Berry. Front: Kim Berry with my brother, Dallas and Mary (Kelly) Berry with Moi. (Dad was undoubtedly the photographer)


This next picture is from 1926. Jessie (Hollington) Taylor has on a very nice day dress. I believe the other woman is either her sister, Elizabeth (Hollington) Shouldice or perhaps a cousin (Lilian Hollington Mahley?) and is wearing a very practical day dress.

This picture is from February 1927. Jessie (Hollington) Taylor is holding her grand-nephew, Harvey G. Berry. A nice fur coat, fashionable handbag and I'm certain the hat was in style for the times. Perfect attire for an Ottawa winter!

This last picture is most likely c.1940 and is my grandmother's side of the family. Everyone dressed up for the photo, however great-grandma Kelly kept on her very practical apron!

 Isabelle (Kelly) McKinstry, Kimberly Berry, Isabella (White) Kelly, Mary (Kelly) Berry and unidentified man. c. 1940, most likely Ottawa, Canada.

This was written for the 9th edition of the Canadian Genealogy Carnival: Canadian Fashion Fads, to be hosted by Kathryn Lake at Looking for Ancestors.