The Thomas Michael Brennan and Mary Kelly Family of Ballyglass, Killedan Civil Parish, Kiltimagh Catholic Parish, County Mayo Ireland: An Analysis of this Family's origins in the Ballyglass, Carrowreagh, area of County Mayo and Their Descendants Migration to Leeds Yorkshire, Liverpool, Lancashire, England and Beyond
Thomas Michael Brennan (Thomas Brenan) married Mary Kelly (Maria Kelly) in Holy Family Church in Kiltimagh, County Mayo Ireland on March 3, 1864. According to Patrick Coleman, a descendent of this family, Thomas was a landholder at the time living in Kinaff, and his father's name was John Brennan. Mary Kelly lived in Attavalla and her father's name was James Kelly (landowner as well). This page would not have been possible to pull together without the contributions made by fellow Genealogist, Patrick Coleman! We are working together to create this page and would love to hear from anyone who feels that they are descended from the Kiltimagh, Carrowreagh or Ballyglass Brennans/Kellys. Please contact me via my website email (see bottom of page) so that we can share information and trace this family back further in Ireland.
Nancy Reeb, a Genealogist who has done in depth research on this part of County Mayo enlightened me on the location of Ballyglass in Killedan Civil Parish, Kiltimagh Catholic Parish, County Mayo, Ireland. According to Nancy, Ballyglass, Derrylahan, Brackloon are all part of the Village of Carrowreagh in County Mayo, Ireland (like neighborhoods in a larger community).
Ballyglass is the Town associated with the baptisms of Thomas Michael and Mary's children, Thomas, Pat, Bridget, John and Michael in the Kiltimagh microfilm. When the 1901 Ireland Census was conducted, Michael Brannen (Michael Thomas) appears as a 64 year old Farmer and Widow living in Houe 36 in Carrowreagh, Kiltimagh, Mayo. Of significance, his married daughter Bridget Lydon, age 28, Housekeeper is living with him, as is her son (and his grandson John age 4. Bridget Higgins, Michael's sister, a 67 year old widowed Housekeeper is also living with them. When the 1911 Ireland Census is conducted, Michael Brennan (Father in Law) age 74 Farm Servant and Widow is living with his son in Law, Thomas Lydon 38, Michael's daughter Bridget Lydon (41) and their six children John Thomas, Norah, Michael, Thomas, Mary Teresa and James Patrick. They reside at House 34 in Carrowreagh, Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland. There is another Brennan family present in Carrowreagh in the 1901 Census, John and Mary Brennan and their four children, Pat, Bridget, Martin and Owen living at House 18 in Carrowreagh. John is a 72 yr old married farmer. I think there is a significant likelihood that John and Michael Thomas are related, possibly brothers? All we know for certain at this point is that Michael Thomas was the son of John Brennan and that he had a sister named Bridget. All three were born in County Mayo.
The Townland of Carrowreagh was just over 901 acres when the Griffith's Valuation was conducted in 1856. There were two Brennans holding parcels in Carrowreagh at that time: John Brennan and Owen Brennan. Could John Brennan be the Father of Michael Thomas that Patrick Coleman noted in Michael Thomas and Mary Kelly's Marriage Record? A look at the Cancelled books at the Valuation office in Dublin could reveal interesting clues on how John Brennan's two different parcels changed hands over the late 19th century!
A Summary of the Children of Michael Thomas Brennan and Mary Kelly: Patrick Coleman confirmed the 5 children I found in the church records (Thomas, Patrick, Bridget, John and Michael) and further elaborated on their migration trails:
- The eldest, Thomas moved to Leeds, England, died some time in the 1930's and was likely buried at Ford Cemetery in Liverpool. He may not have married. There were two Thomas Brennans who died in the 1930's and were buried in that cemetery: Thomas Brennan age 63 who died December 17, 1830- last residence 2 House, 2 Court, Palm Street, Grave 1188 and Thomas Brennan age 71 buried November 23, 1938- last residence 33 Elmtree Close, Grave 1081 (there were also two Thomas Brennans born in 1867 buried there in 1840.
- Patrick was a Coal Miner who moved to England, married Margaret Loftus (worked in a Cotton Mill) in 1892 and adopted two children (apparently a niece and nephew).
- Bridget married a Lyden sometime around 1900 in Mayo. I believe this is Thomas Lydon.
- John married Elizabeth McBride at St Sylvester's Church in Liverpool England in January 1901 and had 6 children (John (married Maria J Blaney), Michael (married Sara Tierney), Elizabeth, John, Margaret and Mary Bridget (married Edward Coleman). When John's wife Elizabeth died at age 36 in 1918, he remarried Mary Carter (nee McBride, the widowed sister of his wife Elizabeth).
- Michael remained in County Mayo Ireland. He supposedly married in County Mayo sometime around 1900.
Regarding Bridget Higgins, sister of Michael Thomas Brennan: There is a notation on the 1911 Ireland Census that indicates that Bridget, then a widow had been married 30 yrs with 3 children, 3 living. I have identified a Bridget Brennan/ Pat Higgins Family from Derrykinlough (several Townlands due east of Carrowreagh) who were married on February 8, 1866. They also appear to have had at least 3 children: Martin and Peter who may have been twins and Michael baptized September 20, 1868. Could this be Bridget, sister of Michael Thomas? She appears to have an old age pension- if obtained this may yield big clues!
Regarding the Pat Lyden/Honor Brennan Family of Ballyglass, Killedan, Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland: Michael Thomas' daughter Bridget clearly appears to have married Thomas Lyden. Could Honor Brennan who was married to Pat Lyden (also of Ballyglass) be another Sister of Michael Thomas? I think there is a significant possibility that they are at least related in some way. This family had at least 7 children (Mary, James, Pat, A-?, Thomas, Brigid and Bernard) according to the church records.
Regarding Another Ballyglass Brennan Family of Interest: Mary Brennan and Thomas Cunningham, also of Ballyglass had at least 7 children baptized there. Could there be some relation to this family as well?
The following compilation is a work in progress and will be added to over time. The objective is to focus on the earliest generations of this family. The earliest two generations of this family is the primary focus of this page (anything more current is beyond the scope and space on this page).
| Census, Church or other Record | Date Born, Baptized, Married | Father/ Husband | Mother/ Wife | Child or other | Occupation; Miscellaneous Information. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiltimagh Catholic Parish Church Marriage Record Microfilm 926012 | March 3, 1864 | Brenan, Thomas | Kelly, Maria | Patritius Carrol and Catherina ? were witnesses; Patrick Coleman gleaned additional information from the original marriage record: They were married in Holy Family Church; Thomas Michael was listed as a landholder, address in Kinaffe and his father was John Brennan; Mary was a resident of Attavalla and her father was James Kelly. | |
| Kiltimagh Catholic Church Baptismal Record 926012 | November 21, 1867 | Brennan, Michael | Kelly, Mary | Thomas | Ballyglass Townland; James Kelly and Mary Kelly Sponsors |
| Kiltimagh Catholic Church Baptismal Record 926012 | December 15, 1868 | Brennan, Michael | Kelly, Mary | Pat | Ballyglass; Townland; a translation from familysearch.org suggests taht Patrick was baptized on December 16 vs the 15th (Kiltimagh was mentioned as the Town of Birth and Baptism) Pat Kelly, Anne McDonagh Sponsors |
| Kiltimagh Catholic Church Baptismal Record 926012 | December 29, 1870 | Brennan, Michael | Kelly, Mary | Bridget | Ballyglass; Pat Kelly and Mary Creavy Sponsors |
| Kiltimagh Catholic Church Baptismal Record 926012 | November 24, 1872 (this may be in error) | Brennan, Michael | Kelly, Mary | John | Ballyglass; John Ryan and Sabina Kelly Sponsors (He later married Elizabeth McBride- see records below)There is clear discrepancy of this baptismal record. Terrence has uncovered a baptismal record from the North Mayo Family History Center that indicates that John was baptized on December 24, 1864 son of Thomas Brenan and Mary Kelly with Jame Brenna and Catherine Kelly sponsors. |
| Kiltimagh Catholic Church Baptismal Record 926012 | October 3, 1875 | Brennan, Michael | Kelly, Mary | Michael | Ballyglass; Thomas McDonagh and Bridget Ryan Sponsors |
| Kiltimagh Death record | October 4, 1888 age 45. | Brennan, Mary, wife of landholder | "Mary suffered from ascites, consequent upon diseased liver, and had not been attended by a doctor. The informant to the registrar of her death was Thomas Brennan, husband." This info was obtained by Terrence Brennan. | ||
| 1901 Ireland Census House 36 Carrowreagh, Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland | 1901 | Brannan, Michael, Head 64 yr old widow born in County Mayo | Lydon, Bridget, 28 yr old married daughter born in County Mayo | Michael is a Farmer who speaks Irish and English; Bridget does Housekeeping and speaks English; all members of family are Roman Catholics | |
| " | 1901 | Higgens, Bridget, 67 yr old sister (of Michael) she is a widow born in County Mayo | Bridget is a Housekeeper who speaks Irish and English | ||
| " | 1901 | Lydon, John Ths, 4 yr old grandson born in County Mayo | |||
| Liverpool England Catholic Marriages, Ancestry.com Database online 1784-1921 | February 10, 1901 | Brannan, Joannem (son of Michaelis Brannan) (Son of Michael Thomas Brennan and Mary Kelly) | McBride, Elisabetham (daughter of Joannis McBride) | Robertus Whiteside Priest; Joannem lived at 28 Blackstone Street and Elisabetham lived at 31 Milion Street; Patritio Gear and Maria McKay Witnesses | |
| 1901 England Census for Liverpool, St Martin Subregistration District, District 10, 27 Ascot Street | 1901 | Brennan, John, Head married 23 yr old born in Ireland (son of Michael Thomas Brennan and Mary Kelly) | Brennan, Elizabeth, 20 yr old wife born in Lancashire, Liverpool, England | John is a Dock Laborer (they appear to be living at the same residence as the John/Margaret McBride Family- likely her parents). | |
| Liverpool England Catholic Baptisms, Ancestry.com Database online 1802-1906 | December 10, 1901 Birth and December 15, 1901 Baptism St Patrick Parish | Brannan, Joannes (son of Michael Thomas Brennan and Mary Kelly) | Brennan, Elizabethae (olim McBride) | Brennan, Joannes Thomas | Sponsors: Joannes Curley and Catharine Todd; a Marriage note on the margin indicates that he married Maria J Blaney June 17, 1929 Liverpool S. Girardi |
| Liverpool England Catholic Baptisms, Ancestry.com Database online 1802-1906 | August 27, 1903 Birth and September 8, 1903 | Brennan, Joannis (son of Michael Thomas Brennan and Mary Kelly) | Brennan, Elizabeth (olim McBride) | Brennan, Michael | Thomas Brennan and Anna Casey Sponsors; Marriage note in the margin indicates that Michael married Sara Tierney March 28, 1925 Liverpool, St Alban's Church |
| 1911 England Census for Lancashire, Liverpool England, Scotland Subregistration District, District 6 | 1911 | Brennan, Elizabeth, Head 28 yr old married born in Lancashire, Liverpool England (Elizabeth McBride-wife of John Brennan) | Brennan, John T, 9 yr old son born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England | Elizabeth is listed as a householder, married 10 yrs with 4 children, 4 living; John T is in School | |
| " | " | " | Brennan, Michael, 7 yr old son born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England | Michael is in School | |
| " | " | " | Brennan, Mary Bridget, 5 yr old daughter born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England | Mary Bridget is in School | |
| " | " | " | Brennan, Elizabeth, 3 yr old daughter born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England | ||
| Free BMD England Marriage Index for Wigan England (Possible marriage record for son Patrick) | Quarter ending September 1892 | Brennan, Patrick | Loftus, Margaret | Volume 8c, Page 200 | |
| 1901 Lancashire, Ashton in Makerfield, District 1, England Census, 40 Wigan Road | 1901 | Brennan, Patrick, Head married 30 yr old born in Ireland (son of Michael Thomas Brennan/Mary Kelly) | Brennan, Margaret, 27 yr old wife born in Manchester, Lancashire, England | Patrick was a Coal Miner (Hewer?) (note that their next door neighbors, Michael (Coal Miner) and Catherine Feeley Family with children Ellen, Minnie, Willie and 7 mo old Maggie) | |
| 1911 Lancashire, Aston in Makerfield, England 40 Wigan Road | 1911 | Brennan, Patrick, Head, married 42 yr old born in Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland (son of Michael Thomas Brennan/Mary Kelly) | Brennan, Margaret, 26 yr old wife born in Kingleton?, Lancashire, England | Feely, Margaret, 10 yr old niece born in Ashton in Makerfield, England | Patarick was a Coal Miner (Hewer); they also have a boarder from Kiltimagh living with them- John Conlon (Collier Lab) |
| 1911 Ireland Census House 34, Carrowreagh Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland | 1911 | Lydon, Thomas, Head 38 yr old born in County Mayo | Lydon, Bridget, 41 yr old wife (daughter of Michael Thomas Brennan/Mary Kelly) | Lydon, John Thomas, 10 yr old Scholar Son born in County Mayo | Thomas is a Farmer who speaks Irish and English; All members of this family are Roman Catholics |
| 1911 Ireland Census House 34, Carrowreagh Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland | 1911 | " | " | Lydon, Norah, 8 yr old scholar, daughter born in Mayo | |
| 1911 Ireland Census House 34, Carrowreagh Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland | 1911 | " | " | Lydon, Michael, 6 yr old scholar son born in Mayo | |
| 1911 Ireland Census House 34, Carrowreagh Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland | 1911 | " | " | Lydon, Thomas, 4 yr old son born in Mayo | |
| 1911 Ireland Census House 34, Carrowreagh Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland | 1911 | " | " | Lydon, Mary Teresa, 2 yr old infant daughter born in Mayo | |
| 1911 Ireland Census House 34, Carrowreagh Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland | 1911 | " | " | Lydon, James Patrick, 3 month old son born in Mayo | |
| 1911 Ireland Census House 34, Carrowreagh Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland | 1911 | " | " | Higgins, Bridget, 76 yr old widowed aunt on "Old Age Pension" born in Mayo | Bridget is the sister of Michael Brennan; a Farm Servant married 30 yrs with 3 children, 3 living she speaks Irish and English |
| 1911 Ireland Census House 34, Carrowreagh Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland | 1911 | " | " | Brennan, Michael, 74 yr old Widowed Father in Law (Bridget's Dad) born in Mayo | He is a Farm Servant, who speaks Irish and English; |
| Liverpool England Catholic Burials 1813-1988 (Ancestry.com Database online) burial for Elizabeth and son Christopher- likely burial record for Elizabeth McBride the wife and child of John Brennan? | October 29, 1918 Burial Ford Cemetery | Brennan, Elizabeth age 35 (born about 1883) | Brennan, Christopher age 10 mos | Both Elizabeth and Christopher list 23 Shadewell Street as their last residence; and both were buried in Grave 253. There is a death record for this Elizabeth in the England and Wales Death Index 1916-2007 compilation on ancestry.com - death at age 35, reg district Liverpool, Lancashire 8b, Volume 13. |