The surname Foley is found in greatest concentration in counties Cork, Kerry, and Waterford. It is generally understood to be an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Foghladha, which translates loosely to “pirate,” or “marauder,” possibly implying distant Viking roots. It may also be an Anglicized version of the Northern Irish name Mac Searraigh, chosen for its phonetic approximation to the English word “foal.”
The Foley name is perhaps most closely associated with the arts. John Henry “J.H.” Foley (1818 -1874) was an influential Irish sculptor. Born to a Dublin family of modest means, he established himself as a prodigy early on, beginning his studies at the Royal Dublin Society’s art school when he was only 13. He is best known for his statues of Daniel O’Connell in Dublin, Prince Albert in London, and Confederate General Stonewall Jackson in Richmond, Virginia. The street he grew up on in Dublin, Montgomery Street, has since been renamed Foley Street, in his honor.
Born in the Yorkville neighborhood of New York City, Jack Foley (1891-1967) – featured in this issue – developed many of the sound effect techniques still employed in filmmaking today. He started out working for Universal Studios during the silent movie era, and began creating what is now known as “foley art” in 1927.
Clyde Julian “Red” Foley (1910-1968) was one of the most popular country singers in post-World War II America. Born in Blue Lick, Kentucky, Red began playing the guitar and the harmonica as a child. In 1945, he was the first major performer to record in Nashville. He was a regular on NBC’s “Grand Ole Opry” program. Some of his most popular songs were “Smoke on the Water” and “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy.”
Ellen Foley (b. 1951) is an American singer and actress, best known for her collaborations with singer Meat Loaf. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, she first gained notoriety after recording the duet “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” with Meat Loaf on his 1977 album Bat Out of Hell. Ellen is also remembered for her role as Public Defender Billie Young on the sitcom Night Court. She has had success on the stage as well, appearing in a revival of Hair, and originating the role of The Witch in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, before the part was taken over by Bernadette Peters when the show came to New York.
Actor Scott Kellerman Foley (b. 1972) was born in Kansas City, though he moved all over the world as a child because of his father’s work. His family eventually settled in St. Louis, where Scott became involved with community and regional theatre. He is best known for his roles as Noel on the television show Felicity, and as the murderous director in Wes Craven’s film Scream 3.
Straddling the line between entertainment and athletics is semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian and actor Michael Francis “Mick” Foley (b. 1965). He was born in Bloomington, Indiana, though his family eventually moved to Setauket, New York. It was there that he attended high school, joining the wrestling team along with future comic actor Kevin James.
Comedy fans may associate the Foley name with Saturday Night Live character Matt Foley, the bumbling motivational speaker who describes his misfortunes (he lives in a van down by the river, among other hardships) to scare delinquent teens into behaving responsibly. Created by Chris Farley, the character is actually named after Farley’s college friend and former rugby teammate Matt Foley (b.1962) The real Matt Foley went on to become a Catholic priest in Chicago, and is currently serving in Afghanistan as an Army chaplain.
Also a member of the Church, Fr. Theodore Foley, C.P. (1913-1974) was a Pittsburgh priest who is a candidate for sainthood. Throughout his life, he was in high demand for Confession, serving at three Catholic hospitals, and eventually acting as confessor to Vatican officials. Though he had never before left the country, and spoke no Italian, he readily accepted his election to a Passionist post in Rome, saying “If I could drive the snowy hills of a Pittsburgh winter in a stick shift Ford, I can do something else.”
In politics, Thomas Stephen Foley (b. 1929) was the 57th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1989 to 1995. Born in Spokane, he represented Washington’s 5th congressional district for 30 years as a Democratic member from 1965 to 1995. He served as U.S. ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 2001.
An extraordinary Foley who deserves a mention here is Firefighter Tom Foley, who died in the line of duty on September 11, 2001
http://firefighterthomasjfoley.wordpress.com/
Tom was quite the guy. Rodeos and firefighting you cant go wrong. Thanks for mentioning him
I am proud beyond measure to share my name with a selfless hero, who ran into the fire when all others were running out.
tac
Amen, Amen. Quite the hero indeed!
My great, great , great grandfather , George Jepson , married a Margaret Foley from Waterford Ireland , they settled. Bennington , Vt
Hi
I have many Waterford based Foleys in my tree. What date was she born etc?
1845 , married , there son Leon Jepson was my grandfather!
Born,1845 – 1919. They lived in Bennington Vt.
A foley from waterford here trying to start tracing family tree
My Grandfather was from Dungarvan, Waterford County. He migrated to New York around 1912 permanently. Prior to that date, he traveled back and forth for about 10 years. His name was Michael Foley.
My mothers family is from Dungarvan Ireland, I still have a cousin that lives there. The original family farm ‘foley farm’ now called the parks farm as the last foley was a female
My great great grandfather Edward Foley born in Ireland ( Wexford ? Waterford ? ) Came to Prince Edward Island , Canada , Story has it that he was only two years old , raised by a priest. I assume was on the same boat. 1790″s married Margaret Lane. This is handed down , word of mouth. Can’t find a paper trail anywhere. But I am living on the property he purchased around 1840 “s.
Hi, Pat!
Marg Foley here from Canada . I came across your note while searching for connections to Foleys of Waterford, Ireland . My G G Grandfather ( Edward Foley ) was born approximately 1783 in Waterford , possibly Kilkenny , Ireland . When Edward was three years old and on route to Canada both of his parents died on board ship . The story carried forth is that a priest took him into his care until they landed in Newfoundland . We are trying to trace back to Ireland to connect with information as to who his parents were and possibly other relatives. I would appreciate any resources you may have to offer , also any help I can offer from Canada. Maybe there is another turn to the story and Edward came to Newfoundland as a young man due to family situation . Hope to get a response, thank you. Marg margfoley22@hotmail.com
I do as well! Eleanor foley Hunter..brother Robert foley! They had a sister too!
My grandmother was Margaret Foley from Waterford, born 1897 married James Williams from Dublin
Wow I was living with my 3 siblings a mother who lied that married to a Foley she was a colvin prior and further back the colvin grandfather was married to the grandmother Stevens. The Foley name came from O’Connor names could there be any relation I would love to know??
My daughter & I going to Ireland in May , we’ll be spending two days in Waterford, can’t wait. 10 day tour.
Hello to my fellow Foleys!
Hello to you, do you know a Thomas Patric Foley( my father) from Waterford ?
You know Clarence Foley I think he’s from Ireland he is my Peppa he’s dead now
Hello to you, do you know a Thomas Patric Foley( my father) from Waterford?
from ardmore waterford?
Stumbled upon this in tandem with retrieval of ancestry.com DNA results…Apparently I am more Scotch/ Irish even than I thought! Looking for any possible links to Walter Foley and his sons Dennis/ Patrick Foley, who have connections to the American South and also Washington State. It’s worth a shot…
Where in the South and what time period? I’m also researching Foleys from the South.
I’m a Foley and we’re a big group of us. ????
Me too! Mine are from Livepool
jacquelinebonner@yahoo.com
I am a Foley (maiden name) , I am in Louisiana. I have traced back to Fnu (bnu) Foley and hit a dead end. Any ideas.
My mom was born Foley outside Chicago. Her dad was named Walter. Her brother was also named Walter who moved to Texas. He had a son named Dennis.
I am the daughter of Louis Robert Foley who lives in Pasadena, TX. I was in contact with my cousin Michael Hermann who told me of Foley reunions in Indiana. Usually near Preston IN which is in the Vincennes area. I am trying to connect to my family. Any help would be really appreciated. There is also supposed to be a Foley book showing our ancestry. I am wanting to either buy one or get a copy.
The branch of Foley that I am told has a big presence in Paris Illinois where at one time they were carriage builders and ended up now having a lumber yard there. My great grandfather had some type of disagreement with his family and they moved to Cleveland Ohio. Maybe some of them moved to Indiana?
hi there! My grandfather was fredrick foley, son of charles foley and John A. Foley, of cork county Ireland.
In the states, Fred lived in indiana
Hey I am a Foley daughter out of San Angelo tx.
My father’s family and my mother’s family (Monahan) their ancestors hail from Waterford Ireland. My grandfather and great-grandfather came from large families so I’m sure I have many relatives scattered around the world.
hi, i am from ardmore in waterford trying to trace family tree to the states.
My grandfather Lee Foley said that our family was from Waterford. We have no evidence of this. Michael Foley who emigrated to Canada in 1912 and then US in about 1835 said on his emigration papers that he was from Catelyons. I don’t know if that is any help. They were famine people.
My great grandparents came from Dungarvan. Richard and Catherine Foley. My grandfather was born there before they left for America – John Matthew Foley.
Hi
All my Foleys are from the Dungarvan area
Paul
Hi Paul Browne,
My great grand parents, Patrick Foley and Mary O’Leary Foley are from Castlemaine, County Kerry. They moved to Binghamton, New York sometime in the early 1880s. My grandfather , Jeremiah Foley, was their second born child.
I also have the name Browne in my family, on my mother’s side. My grandmother , Martha Browne , was born in County Offaly in 1893. Her parents were Patrick Browne and Maria Guinan Browne. My grandmother came to Binghamton, NY in 1909. She married my grandfather , William Maher, in 1918.
Timothy Foley
Binghamton, NY
My Grandfather is a Foley from Castlemaine. would love to know what else you have discovered.
If you hear from any of the Foleys on this string, I would also love to learn more. My Foleys were in Binghamton but we don’t know how they got there. William Foley married Marcella McCormick there and they had a son, William there in 1843. They moved then to Wisconsin, where the family flourished. They were tightlipped about their origins. The first William Foley is buried in Wisconsin and his gravestone says Proud Native Of County Kerry Ireland.
Mine as well Paul
Hello to my fellow Foleys. My great grandparents from both sides were from Ireland. My husband and I leave for Ireland Saturday and will be traveling to Waterford/Cork area. Ancestry states I am 58% Irish. They actually pinpoint the area of origin around Galway. We also plan to visit that area.
Hello Michelle, I too am looking for Mayo based Foley ancestors as a result of my ancestry DNA. I wonder if you had any luck in your search and whether you might be able to help me piecing together a missing branch of my tree, which relates to my unknown paternal grandfather. I am trying to find a connection between Mayo Foleys and any of them who may have relocated to Liverpool, England and would have been living in Liverpool in the late 1940s. Any help or info you know of the Mayo branch would be much appreciated.
My last name is foley and am from the lovely state of Pennsylvania anyone from here
Any chance you are related to James Judson Foley and Katherine Cleary? They lived in Pittsburgh
Any relation to James Judson Foley and Katherine Cleary from Pittsburgh
My Foley family started in Ireland and then someone went to England and from England. They went into Pennsylvania. I had a lot of Foley relatives in Pennsylvania as I still do. But I do not know them.
Looking to see if anyone has info on some of my Foley ancestors?
Maternal Grandmother Marilyn Foley
Her Father Wilfred Joseph Foley (Great Grandfather)
His Father Jean Baptiste (John Morris) Foley (2x Great Grandfather)
His Father Louis Martin Poulin Foley (3x Great Grandfather)
His Father Louis Foley (4x Great Grandfather)
I’m looking for a Margaret Mildred blinn foley nana and Michael foley grandpa their from Canada and moved to Massachusetts and any info would be appreciated any relatives would like to contact me here let me know
I discovered several generations of Foleys on an island in Newfoundland
called Fogo. A book titled “Of Fish and Family” by John Carrick Greene provides a fascinating account of the Irish families who fished the waters off Fogo and settled their in the late 1700’s. Many of the families in the village of Tilting on Fogo Island are Foleys.
I have Tilting Foley ancestry, which I discovered in John Carrick Greene’s book “Of Fish and Family”. I also share an ancestor, and surname, with John,
I saw mentioned Foley’s in Washington? I grew up there. My parents (Foley) have extensive relatives there. Most closely associated with the old apostolic Lutheran church. (Slang term in battleground Washington is “bunheads” which we do NOT find offensive). Prior to my great great grandfather’s (Jim Foley) introduction to the church which he married a surname Sassy..he was a saloon keeper, had two sons and is presently buried near bel fouche a town nearly overlapped in Wyoming and south Dakota near the larger town of Rapid city..very little is known about the family’s journey to America or any siblings. I would be very grateful to hear from any cousins who might help trace my family back to Ireland
About a dozen years ago I discovered several generations of Foley’s dating back to the mid-1700’s on an island off of Newfoundland, Canada called Fogo. Their ancestors were cod fishermen from Waterford, Ireland.
I’ve visited with my wife and son a few times. A fascinating and beautiful place with wonderfull people. The village inhabitated by Foleys is called Tilting. There is a book titled “Of Fish and Family” authored by John Greene who grew up in the village of Tilting. It gives a full account of the families from Tilting and a very detailed history of the Foley’s who settled there and fished the waters of the North Atlantic. It is claimed that the oldest Celtic cemetery in North America is in Tilting where many generations of Foley’s are buried. Google “Fogo Island, Canada” and you will be fascinated by the beauty of the island and hardiness and resilience of the people. And who knows, you might even find some family history.
Hi Sarah, I go to the OALC north of Davenport WA. I don’t know much Foley’s out in Battleground but I do know family on my moms side who live in Yacolt. I too am curious about my family tree and besides what other comments have said, I know that queen Elizabeth II’s 7th great grandfather is named Thomas Foley but I don’t know if we’re related to him. If you look up “Thomas Foley 1701”, it’ll tell you he’s related to Elizabeth.
I am looking for information about James Henry Foley.
Born? Died 1933? Married to Mary Zona Knott.
He would be my Grandfather. Had sister Annie in Massachusetts.
Greetings to all the Foley Family
My father is John Charles Foley, son of Thomas Foley, Boston, MA., I’m soon to submit an ancestry.com kit search. My lineage more than likely came to Boston during the Great Famine. But this is all I know so far.
Hi Paul Browne,
My paternal great grandparents , Patrick Foley and Mary O’Leary Foley are from Castlemaine , County Kerry. They moved to Binghamton, NY in the early 1880s. My paternal grandfather, Jeremiah Foley ( 1888-1973 ) was their second born child.
I also have the name Browne in my family. My maternal grandmother was Martha Browne. She was born in 1893 in County Offaly. She came to Binghamton, NY in 1909. She married my grandfather, William Maher in 1918. My great grandparents names were Patrick Browne and Maria Guinan Browne. Do you have any connection to County Offaly?
Hi. My Grandfather is a Foley from Castlemaine. My Mother went to visit as a teenager in the 1960s and everybody seemed to be related somehow.
My late farther Richard Laird Foley is originality from Logan West Virginia. He moved our family to Titusville Florida. My mother and father are now rest among the angles in West Virginia.
Dana,
My father was born in Matoaka, WV in 1935, they then moved to N Hollywood CA. Sounds like we might cross ancestry. I’m from the line of Richard Barnett Foley
What a great Irish last name we share. I love the meaning also..(Pirate, Plunderer, Viking Roots) Gotta Love it! Take care Fam Foleys!
The Irish word foghlai, pronounced, apparently much like Foley, means “robber,” so I have read.
My great-great grandmother on my mother’s side was Ellen Foley b 19 Jul 1850 in Canada who married William Hall in 1872 and died in MN in 1937.
Her father was John Foley from Castlelyons, County Cork and her mother was Johanna O’Brien.
She was the sister of the famous Foley brothers who built railway lines.
I am specifically looking for photos of Ellen specifically or of her husband, William Hall. If anyone could help I would be eternally grateful!
Foley, MN is where my grandparents come from…named after the famous Foleys!
Kathleen, would love to talk with you! We just moved to Foley, MN, from a nearby town. We were just told we bought a home built by one of the original Foley brothers who supplied lumber for railroad ties, and actually made the deal with James J. Hill to bring the railroad through Foley and further west of here. Such interesting information I’ve learned in the last couple weeks, I look forward to being able to validate it. I will love to know any information you may have and any pictures of your relatives would be extremely appreciated.
Kathleen, I just wrote you kind of a long message, which seemed it to disappear. I will keep an eye out here and see how this one posts and rewrite you if it looks like my last one was lost. Thank you, Debbie Knight
Hello Kathleen Terese Langdon, did you receive the above messages I wrote? I would love to be in touch with you. Kitty-corner from the Victorian home we bought in Foley, MN is the “Hall House” – my other neighbor knows some info about that and the original owners, the Halls.
Do you live in Foley, MN or near here?
Hi, Kathleen, My Foleys also came from Casetlyons on the Robinson Expedition, an evacuation of 2,000 Irish from southwest Ireland in 1825.
They Left Canada about 1840 and moved to Wisconsin near the city of Milwaukee.
William Foley, b1812 in Catelyons had a brother named John who also came on the voyage. I don’t have much more information on John. You might try the many websites about the Robinson Expedition. Just about every generation had an Ellen or two. The right one is hard to find. Good luck.
My great great grandfather had a daughter Ellen Foley, it just so happens. I am named her Lynn Ellen Foley.
Kathleen, I just wrote you kind of a long message, which seemed it to disappear. I will keep an eye out here and see how this one posts and rewrite you if it looks like my last one was lost. Thank you, Debbie Knight
Debbie, You can reach me at kaygee2165@gmail.com I am happy to share information. Kathy Langdon
Our branch of the Foley family left Cork 1878 for Oamaru, New Zealand. Two brothers went to Chicago at the same time – we are not sure why they headed in different directions. For us its a mystery what happened to them and the original John Foley who arrived in NZ was always sorry to have lost contact. There is a suggestion of a connection to a boxing gym? A bit of a long shot, but was hoping someone might be able to help! Thanks John Foley (NZ).
My mother’s maiden name is Foley. I am just reading the true story of the Catalpa Rescue involving the Finians. The book is bu Australian Peter FitzSimons and may very well enlighten you as to how and why many Irish moved. One of the Finians was a William Foley born 1837 in Tipperary who ended up in the states but he seems to have passed without having children. I have two William Foleys my great grandfather and my great uncle. Problem is most Foley families named a child William so I have a task ahead of me. The book is the most exciting little known story that involves the UK IRE US and here in my home town of Rockingham south of the Fremantle goal where the Finians escaped from via American Whaler ship.
Looking for information on my Irish ancestors. Who came from Cahersiveen. I am seeking Information on Morris or (Maurice) Foley born about 1835, Denis Foley born 1831 and sister Johanna these 3 all went to America in the 1850’s. a brother John Foley and sister Cate remained in town. John Foley had 3 children that survived childhood Johanna born1854 Edward born1855 and John 1861. John Foley’s second wife was a Mary Sullivan of upper Carn. Only a limited amount of information on church records (Baptismal) are available online. Is there someone I can make contact with who can help me
Hi Foley’s
My name is mark and I live in Dublin Ireland. My granddads name was Dominic Foley, but he had a brother that I don’t know much about. They were born and breed in Cork, youghal to be exact. They owned the old cinema that used to be there but was pulled down in the 5/60s. It’s my grandads brother I’m looking to find out about if anyone has any info.
Thanks Foley’s
Thomas Quin and Honora Foulue of Killarney, County Kerry, had a daughter Margaret Quin baptised on 22 March 1795, apparently, at Killarney R.C. church. Sponsors were Dermot Fowlue and Elizabeth Lynch.
Who were the other children of Thomas and Honora? Has anyone found the marriage record of Thomas and Honora?
I am looking for any information re Caeciliae Foley. She was married to Andreae Foley and they had a daughter Johanna (married name O’Meara) in 1787. Thanks in advance.
Hello, teenager Foley here. Family is from Rinn/Dungarvan in waterford Ireland. My Greatgranddad was Dan Foley who ran for election as a labour candidate in the thirties. His son, Thomas Foley was a big name in the city and my dad Philip Foley is a respectable man aswell. Labour family aswell as Gealgeoirs. Be nice to know anyone
SCOTLAND
SCOTLAND BORN 1953
Doing my husbands family and we have a long line of Foleys. I’m looking for Timothy Joseph Foley (born 12 April 1850 Castlebar Street, Westport, Mayo, Ireland) who married Catherine Neary in 1872 Kilmoremoy, Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland. Timothy was born 1850 they haad a son named Patrick Joseph Foley I (born 1880 who married Sarah Gavin) who was born on Castlebar street, Mayo, Ireland. Patricks son Patrick Joseph Foley II and a few others came to America and settled in Cleveland, Ohio. Any help would be appreciated.
Hello Amy, I too am looking for Mayo based Foley ancestors as a result of my ancestry DNA. I wonder if you had any luck in your search and whether you might be able to help me piecing together a missing branch of my tree, which relates to my unknown paternal grandfather. I am trying to find a connection between Mayo Foleys and any of them who may have relocated to Liverpool, England and would have been living in Liverpool in the late 1940s. Any help or info you know of the Mayo branch would be much appreciated.
Please log on to Familysearch and you can find the whole tree that people have been piecing together for awhile now. This is a start for where I am at in my tree that I need help with. https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/pedigree/G3JS-SFY Looking for any information on Timothy Joseph Foley’s Parents – Timothy Foley and Ann Chute.
Hi I’m looking for any info on my grandpa Edward foley he was in WW2 he was staton in Germany I know nothing about him my dad doesn’t remember much his wife is Marget Mildred foley (blinn) my nana is from Canada. And my grandpa is from Boston mass and that is all I know if anyone can help me or knows anything please contact me via e mail if you find anything. I this no my grandpa fixed tanks in the war I’m not sure
Looking for info about Thomas Foley who married Vivian Garrison @1913 and lived in San Francisco. Thier children, Rita, Lloyd, Leslie, and Robert, my grandfather, were ‘The Foley Four’ in vaudeville and worked up and down the west coast as well as the midwest. Grandfather never talked about his family or where they came from. We don’t know what became of Thomas or Vivian.
The name is absolutely not related to vikings as the name far predates viking arrival in Ireland.
The Gaelic Irish were more than capable of raiding and piracy by themselves. That’s how we brought St. Patrick (who was a roman Briton) to Ireland after all.
Jim Foley here from Massachusetts USA. Hello to all Foley families.
any Colorado foleys here?
Eugene W. Foley Jr trying to find other family members I am from Mercedes Tx a town five miles from mexico boarders. Would like to find more info on other I am half Mexican and half Irish. My grand father name was Jake he married carlotta my dad is eugene sr. Thank you
Hey, my dad is Luis Pena. He was adopted however I know that his birth father was Eugene Foley. Who if I’m correct is your grandpas brother? Anyways I’ve always wanted to know more about who my dads family really is.
My grandpa Armando was from Mercedes as well.
I’m looking for relatives of Patrick Foley who came to North America in the late 1700’s and settled in the Natchez, Mississippi and West Feliciana, Louisiana area. I have a lot of info on Patrick and his descendants related to my husband, but I don’t have any idea where he came from. Any ideas are appreciated!
This is a post by Jon A. Keary on the following page https://www.americancivilwarforum.com/looking-for-the-flag-of-the-8th-louisiana-infantry-the-cheneyville-rifles-…-31547/Page2.html#34326
The Greenwood Plantation in Wilkinson Co was owned, as far back as I’ve been able to determine, by an Irishman named Patrick Foley who had been in that area for years. This gent had several children, one of whom was Elizabeth Foley and it was Elizabeth’s fate or fortune to marry William Vousdan Keary who arrived in the US around 1790, give or take a few years. Right off the top of my head, I don’t recall the date of their marriage but I think I recall seeing that date.
I do not know if the Foleys and the Kearys, at that time, were related but I do know that old Patrick Foley was friends or relatives with a man named William Vousdan, another Irishman who was a surveyor and who appears to have been active in local politics at the time. William Vousdan was the brother to Eleanor Keary who was married to Hugh McCausland Keary and those two lived in Ireland, apparently never making the trip to the new lands.
So, a researcher will find a lot of figures named William, William Vousdan Keary, Hugh McCausland Keary and Patrick Foley Keary with variations in the spelling of Vousdan and McCausland. The naming sequence generally emerged as follows:
1st son – named after child’s paternal grandfather
2nd son – named after child’s father
3rd son – named after child’s maternal grandfather
So the first son of William V. Keary and Elizabeth Foley was named Hugh McCausland Keary after William V. Keary’s father
The second son of William V. Keary and Elizabeth Foley was named William V. Keary, after his father
The third son of William V. Keary and Elizabeth Foley was named Patrick Foley Keary after Elizabeth Foley’s father Patrick Foley.
But that knowledge only opens other cans of worms in the identification of the descendants of these 3 sons. And, by the way, Elizabeth Foley Keary had girl children and after her husband died she married a Metcalfe and had additional children.
Hugh Mc Keary never married but he did have children with a black or mulatto woman and apparently sent them North prior to the war. Those kids changed the spelling of their names but retained the pronunciation and I’ve had no fortune tracking them.
Patrick Foley Keary had no lineal descendants.
William V. Keary was prolific and fathered at least 9 children who survived infancy with a black or mulatto woman whose name, from census, was Mary Thompson. Census notes her as mulatto and as having come from Ohio. She is buried, I believe, under a large square block of stone that is painted white in the black section of the burying ground at the big church in Cheneyville. I found what I believed to be her grave but I could not read the stone. William O’Neal and his wife are also buried there as are dozens of slaves and other generally unknown types including somewhat recent deaths.
William V. and Mary Thompson’s sons and daughters were prolific too. One son, Robert Keary, living as a mulatto married a Cheney girl and most of the people that I am aware of are descendants of those two souls.
Another son, Hugh McCausland Keary (there’s that name again), married a full French girl named Anathalie LaBorde and those two are my great-grandparents. They had 6-7 children and of the two Kendel Benjamin Keary was my grandfather and Swinton “Jack” Keary was my great-uncle. I knew both of them very well and I cannot think of two more genuinely good men for a young boy to know. All of these people are gone now and at nearly 73 I’m not too far from lift-off, myself. Hugh and Anathalie’s other children are all long dead and gone but they have a lot of descendants scattered across the Western US.
And that’s about all I know and can relate to any Kearys who are not certain of their origin, don’t hesitate to contact me because it’s possible that I might be able to steer you toward info that might interest you.
Anybody recognize the names James Judson Foley and Katherine Cleary. I’m not sure they married but had children together. They lived in Pittsburgh for a while.
Thanks
Michael Foley
Another Foley from Massachusetts looking for any connections. My great grandfather John J Foley was born in 1854 in Stradbally, Ireland (Waterford area) and his parents were Thomas Foley and Mary (Cummins) Foley
Thanks!
Jack Foley
Hi there I’m looking for any information of Mr William Foley who I believe was married to Maud Foley. They lived in Madrid. Kate Maud is buried in Madrid but we do. not have any information about William. He is commemorated on a stain glass window in a church in Madrid 1851-1933 as is Maud 1852-1920.
Anybody trace their Foley roots to Castlelyons? John & Mary Foley had a son James Judson Foley who came to America and spent some time in Pittsburgh, Pa.