Until recently, we descendants of William and Margaret had no knowledge of our relatives in Ireland. Then in 1992, Lorne's determined detective work led him to the site of our great-great grandfather William's birth in the parish of Powerstown, Goresbridge. Lorne met with Ned Moran, present owner of the Kelly farm, but was not aware that, nearby, lived cousins who shared our common ancestry. That part of the puzzle was left to our cousin Noreen. She met Ned in 1999 and was informed that John O'Brien down the road was descended from the same family as our William. In 2002, Noreen, Edna, Doug and Dennis Patricke finally caught up with the O'Briens. While on a tour of Ireland, this fearless foursome set out by taxi for Goresbridge and the rest is history. A bond was formed and Noreen and Margaret began to correspond. The thread was picked up by Theresa, who met the O'briens in 2003 and visited with them this past September.
John and Margaret live on a farm just down the road from where William Kelly was born. John's great-great grandfather, John Kelly, and our great-great grandfather, William, were brothers. Sadly, famine and emigration depleted the Kelly family in Ireland, so it is good to know that Margaret and John are keeping the family alive there.
Margaret and John were married on June 26, 1960. Therefore, they will be celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary this year in the company of their new -found relatives. They have three children, Michael, Moira and Lance. Michael is married to Sarah and has a daughter Sarah. Moira is married to John Murphy and Lance recently married Vicky. John and Margarets nephews,John and Brian Nolan, are also an integral part of the immediate family.
Welcom to Canada, Cousins!!
written by Theresa Kelly