The Shanahan Family from Abbeydorney, County Kerry, Ireland



It all started during my visit to Omaha when my Grandpa shared with me that he wasn't sure if he was one of 9 or one of 11 children. Being the youngest kid in his family and losing his father at the age of 17 and three years later losing his mother, made it impossible to ask his parents this question. So, he told me that since I was the oldest grandchild that I needed to figure this out. Well, this all happened in 1983 and that is when I got hooked into Genealogy at the age of 22.

I headed back home and started my journey into finding the answer to my Grandfather's question. I spent years researching at every local library that I could find that had census records. Being from the bay area, I was pleased to find the San Bruno libary that had so much more than just census records. I spent hours there looking through their records where I just couldn't find my family. I needed to head back to Omaha and search their libraries. I learned that their local libary, W. Dale Clark Library, had a wide assortment of records. So, back to Omaha where I shared with my Grandma that I was having no luck finding our family. I had hoped to find something, anything at their local library. Grandma told me that she would say a prayer for me that I would find a lead and those prayers paid off. I found my family. I couldn't wait to get back to her home to share the news. I walked through that door and she knew, she just knew. I will always remember that smile on her face.

With the information that I found in Omaha, I was able to point myself into a new direction. I traveled to the Morman library in Utah. Oh wow! So many records. I found baptismal records of my family where they lived in St. Joseph, Missouri. I was able to confirm this by locating them on the 1860 United States Federal Census. I now have found my Grandpa's grandparents. (see census below)

Per family stories, I knew that we were from County Kerry. But, where in County Kerry? A newly found relative told me that we were from Abbeydorney. I was told that Shanahans in County Kerry were labeled from what area of the parish that came from. The Shanahan's in and around Kilflynn were the "NAG" Shanahans - In the Parish of Abbeydorney, they were called the "DARLIN" Shanahan's and in the Listowel area, they were known as the "YELLOW" Shanahan's. Interesting, huh?

Meanwhile, I learned about a man named Tom Shanahan (born ~1739 - died 1819) who married Margaret Stack. They owned 160 acres of land in Lixnaw which is a village in North County Kerry, Ireland. Lixnaw is located about 4-5 miles from Abbeydorney so I paid close attention to this family. I learned that Tom and his brother (name unknown) built their own tombstones in Kyrie Eleison Cemetery. A lot is known about Tom but not much is known about his brother. Tom and Margaret Stack married in 1764 and together it is shared that they had 21 children. Is that even possbile? How can I find out if Tom or his brother are related to my family? DNA kits....

It was finally time to go to Ireland. My cousin had just gotten back from Ireland and thought that she found the family farm. She met the family that currently lived there and they were Shanahan's. We were so excited. It was 2006 and DNA was just coming to life. I ordered 6 test kits and my Dad and I headed to Ireland. I had been in touch with a Shanahan genealogist named Paul and when I wrote to him sharing that we were coming to town, he shared that he would meet us there. What a gift. Paul took us around the Abbeydorney area and introduced us to every Shanahan man that he was aware of. (Paul grew up in the area) My Dad and I introduced ourselves to these men, asked for their family history and then asked if they wouldn't mind doing a DNA test kit. It was such a wonderful journey. When we got home, my Dad also did a DNA test and when I submitted all the tests, my Dad had an exact match to a Shanahan man in Ballysheen. I now knew where we were from. And, yes, the Shanahan family in Ballylahive were also related to us.

My only problem is that there is no information out there for the brother of Tom. But, at least I know that I am related to Tom Shanahan's family.

I was able to find the Passenger List showing Mary Mahoney Shanahan (Grandpa's Great Grandmother who was married to David Shanahan) and her children coming to America. (see passenger list) Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate when David came to America.

Passenger List for Mary and her children (See "X" marks behind their names)



1860 United States Federal Census (line 18)





LEARN MORE ABOUT DAVID AND MARY

Children of David and Mary Mahoney Shanahan;

Julia S. SHANAHAN was born March 17, 1827 in Ireland and died October 14, 1914 married Dennis Sullivan who was born May of 1818 and died August 22, 1890

Mary SHANAHAN was born January of 1832 in Ireland and died May 21, 1905 married Jeremiah Mahoney who was born April 4, 1824 and died September 4, 1909

Daniel SHANAHAN was born about 1838 in Ireland and died Febuary 26, 1883 married Mary Kane who was born about 1833 and died January 15, 1911

Patrick SHANAHAN was born September 30, 1838 in Ireland. (not much known about him)

Ellen SHANAHAN (#1) was born July 18, 1841 in Ireland and died before 1843 (Died young)

Ellen SHANAHAN (#2) was born ~1844 in Ireland and died November 19, 1880 married James Slightam who was born about 1841 and died in 1870 or 1871.

Ellen SHANAHAN SLIGHTAM (#2) was born about 1844 in Ireland and died November 19, 1880 married Michael W. Barry was born in May of 1844 and died March 3, 1902




This page is dedicated to many wonderful people that have guided me along the way. I can't name you all. You know who you are and you know how much your time and energy has meant to me since I started this adventure in 1983. Thank you and God bless you all.


SHANAHAN FAMILY PEDIGREE

Check out Abbeydorney

Rentroll Estate

Omaha in the Past

Notes worth checking out

Shanahan's buried in Kyrie Eleison Cemetery

Mahonys of Ballylahive Article by my friend James J. Garvey

Shanahan Marriages & Baptisms found at St. Bernard's Church in Abbeydorney

Farewell To Kerry Article by James J. Garvey

1659 Ireland Census

Genealogist Desmond's Notes


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Last update was on December 23, 2023

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