Welcome to the KEEFFE, KEEFE, O'KEEFE, O'KEEFFE Genealogy Page

The O'Keeffe Coat of Arms featured above is from Eddie Geoghan's site

Scope: An Irish Keeffe, Keefe, O'Keefe, O'Keeffe page for those originally from the area of the townland Coolnahau, County Kilkenny, Ireland, and to those relatives in nearby townlands, towns and counties. Coolnahau was comprised of 522 acres in 1857, and is located in Knocktopher Barony, Jerpoint West parish, New Ross (Poor Law Union) [ Townlands of Co. Kilkenny, Ireland]. The Coolnahau Keeffe's, many of which emigrated to the area of Rochester, Monroe County, state of New York, USA, are also related to the Cappagh Keeffe's (Knocktopher or Ida Barony?).

LAST UPDATED: 19 November 2009 regarding a NEW O'KEEFE Y-CHROMOSOME DNA PROJECT for testing O'Keefe males of all different clans, at Family Tree DNA of Houston, Texas, USA. For more information, contact Family Tree DNA. I also have some pages that go through the hows and whys. Look for links at: Kevin Duerinck Genetic Genealogy Pages

(Thanks previously to Mary Fitzgerald; also Jon O'Keeffe of West Virginia and his father from Florida for the picture of O'Keeffe Castle in Dromagh, in the barony of Duhallow, County Cork, Ireland.)

Note on the connection between the Coolnahau and Kilree (both are townlands) Keeffe's from Mary Fitzgerald: "My mothers maiden name was Kathleen OKeeffe {she only died on 30th August 2006 aged 92 years and 7 months} from townland Kilree, Stoneyford (but nearer to Kells) Co. Kilkenny. Some year after being evicted from their lands in Cork the O Keeffe's came to townland Knockwilliam Ballyhale Co. Kilkenny in the early to mid 1700's, and some time in the late 1700's to early 1800's some of them moved to Coolnahau and Kilree about 5 miles away and are still farming in Kilree. The Coolnahau OKeeffe's and Kilree OKeeffe's are the same O Keeffe's. I was told a Coolnahaw OKeeffe married an OKeeffe from Highcappa so they became related. My grandfather's christian name was Edward O'Keeffe (Ned.), my great grandfather was Martin O'Keeffe, my great great grandfather was Edmond (Ned) O'Keeffe, and my great great great grandfather was Larry O'Keeffe. My mother gave me a lot of information on the O Keeffe relations back generations."
Kind Regards,
Mary Fitzgerald

From Grainne O'Keefe, of a clan from Stoneyford/Stonecarthy Ireland, 6 August 2009: "Sean Raggett has a farm still in Stoneyford and is the grandson of Mary O'Keeffe (she was daughter of Patrick and Ellen Keeffe/O'Keeffe, married a Raggett and her daughter was my grandmother on my mother's side). We're not sure where exactly the O'Keeffes were in Stoneyford but the sons of Patrick were Michael (m. a Dwyer), Thomas and Richard b. 1870d. 1936. There's a great website which has photos of gravestones in Kilkenny ttp://www.kilkennygenealogy.com and we know that one of the Raggett named graves actually has previous O'Keeffes buried there so it was originally an O'Keeffe grave. We found records from Griffiths valuation of Patrick and Richard O'Keeffe in Stonecarthy which is a stones throw from Stoneyford and on the way to Kilree I guess? For the icing on the cake, Patrick's brother (Martin b. around 1833) went to Dublin and his Great grand son is my Dad so my parents are 3rd cousins.... Patrick and Martin were sons of Richard Keeffe who married a Murphy - probably early 1800s - 1830s. Hope this helps/ -- Regards -- Grαinne O'Keefe"

Some other Irish O'Keeffe clans are from County Tipperary (Carrick-on-Suir), which is the next county to the west of County Kilkenny. Kevin O'Keeffe surmises, as I do, that all of these clans are related. Thank you to John "Jack" O'Keefe of New York for his invaluable assistance regarding the Coolnahau Keeffe's.

Introduction

Keeffe, Keefe, O'Keefe and O'Keeffe are anglicized versions of the Irish sept of O'Caoimh, from caomh, meaning 'kind' or 'gentle'. The O'Keeffe clan/sept originated from around Glanworth and Glenville near Fermoy, County Cork. The Normans forced them and most of the sept westward, where they settled in North Cork near the Kerry border between Ballydesmond and Millstreet in an area still known as "Pobal O'Keeffe". This was in the barony of Duhallow and included the parishes of Dromtariffe, Cullen, Nohoval, Kilmeen, and a part of Clonfert. Kevin O'Keeffe says that some of the sept remained in the area close to their original territory, and it may be from these that the O'Keeffe's of Carrick-on-Suir, South Tipperary are derived. It is not known if the Coolnahau and Cappagh O'Keeffe's are related to the Carrick-on-Suir O'Keeffe's or from this sept. There is an O'Keeffe Castle at Dromagh, Co. Cork (pictured above) where 5,000 plus Irish, including O'Keefes, were defeated at the Castle in 1651 in the Battle of Knockbrack (Cromwell's doing). A y-chromosome DNA test of males named Keeffe Keefe O’Keefe O'Keeffe would tell us what families are related to whom. See a lab that I have used for the Duerinck surname: Family Tree DNA

COOLNAHAU O'KEEFFE'S

Theory/Assumption: PATRICK? KEEFFE was born circa 1770 in Coolnahau, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. Children (theory/assumption) of PATRICK? KEEFFE are:

i. JOHN KEEFFE, b. ~1800, Coolnahau, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland; d. Ireland.
ii. PATRICK KEEFFE
iii. WILLIAM KEEFFE, m. ANASTATIA ____
iv. EDMOND KEEFFE

John Keeffe, above, a farmer, born circa 1799 (was there not a 1799 Irish census we can check?) and died ____ in Ireland. He married Bridget ____ in about 1831 in Ireland. Bridget was born ____ and died ____ in Ireland.

Notes about John Keeffe: At the time of his son's marriage, (Martin Keeffe to Mary Mackey in 1864), John Keeffe was already dead. John Keeffe was listed as a farmer. Four children:
1. Martin Keeffe, born Abt. 1833 in Coolnahau, County Kilkenny, Ireland; died May 13, 1899 in Mullinakill, County Kilkenny, Ireland; married Mary Mackey January 28, 1864 in Tullogher, County Kilkenny, Ireland. Notes for Martin Keeffe:
Martin was afflicted about 1885 with cancer of the hips, and died in 1899. During the period period 1860-1907 land lease records show that Edmund Keeffe and Patrick Keeffe leased the land in Coolnahau. In the 1900 census Patrick O'Keefe and his nephew Patrick resided on the farm. It is assumed therefore that Martin resided on the farm with his brother Patrick, but was never a lessee. His relationship with Edmund has not been determined,---brother, uncle, cousin perhaps? 9 children:
i. James Joseph (Keeffe) O'Keefe, born December 9, 1867 in Coolnahau, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland; died May 5, 1949, and buried May 8, 1949, Holy Sepulchre Cem., Rochester, New York; married (1) Winifred O'Laughlin, died ___, buried March 13, 1905, Holy Sepulchre Cem., Rochester, New York; married (2) Jane Francis Egan February 20, 1906 in St. Monica's Church, Rochester, New York.
Notes for James Joseph (Keeffe) O'Keefe:
James Keefe(note spelling is correct here) entered the U.S. via Philadephia on April 23, 1886 on the vessel Lord Gough. He listed himself as age 28, and occupation as laborer. This info is from the passenger list of the vessel. James "O'Keefe" (note spelling again) became a naturalized U.S. citizen in Rochester, Monroe County, New York on August 6, 1900. At the time of his citizenship application in 1900, he listed his occupation as clerk, and home address as 33 Erie St., Rochester. All his children were born at 189 Cottage St., Rochester. The house was sold in 1928. He was related to Patrick Mackey, John Tracy, and the Rices of Rochester. Godparents at his baptism are listed on church records as: Patrick Keeffe and Cathrine Mackey. Civil records in Ireland list his DOB as Jan. 9, 1868; the church records are, however, probably correct. A letter of reference written in 1907, by Edward F. Higgins, indicates that he had worked for the previous 16 years for Higgins, whose letterhead indicates that the company, Edward F. Higgins is located at 80 to 90 North Fitzhugh St., Rochester, and has Coaches, Coupes, Tally-Hos, and Light Livery. He was called BIG JIM, because he was 6ft., 3in. Children of James O'Keefe and Winifred O'Laughlin are:
i. Martin John O'Keefe, born September 13, 1902 in Rochester, New York. Notes: Ran away from home as a teenager, was never heard from again. [Could not find in the Social Security Death Index. I also believe I searched the federal censuses online to no avail. (kevin)]
ii. James Joseph O'Keefe ("Joe"), born January 25, 1904 in Rochester, New York; died 1946 in Buffalo, New York, buried in Holy Sepulchre Cem., Rochester, New York; married Antonette Bouchard ("Toni") 1926 in Rochester, New York. 1 child:
i. John Arthur O'Keefe, born 1926, died July 19, 1999; buried 7/21/99 at Holy Sepulchre Cem., Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Surviving him are 3 married sons. Children of James O'Keefe and Jane Egan:
i. John Bernard O'Keefe, born July 14, 1916; baptized August 6, 1916, St. Monica's Chuch, Rochester, New York; died February 15, 1985 in Hilton, Monroe Co., N.Y.; ashes inurned at Riverside Cemetery, Rochester, N.Y. Married Hazel Jean Rush September 27, 1941 in Dewey Ave. Prebyterian Church, Rochester, New York. Died August 12, 2001 in Rochester, NY, ashes inurned at Riverside Cemetery, Rochester, N.Y. One child:
John R. O'Keefe Notes for John Bernard O'Keefe:
Sponsors at his baptism in 1916 were Joseph O'Keefe and Mary Connors. Attended Edison Technical High School in Rochester. Worked at Topper Brewing Co., Rochester, both before and after WW2. Retired as Police Officer, Rochester Police Dept., after 29 years service, in 1976. Obtained his High School Equivalency diploma in 1979, at age 62. He had served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during WW2, was in the Invasions of N. Africa and Sicily, and was wounded in the Normandy Invasion in 1944 and was returned to the U.S. as a result of shrapnel wounds to the shoulder. He lived after at 447 Thurston Rd., Apt. 303, 51 Frey St.,(Rochester), and at 66 Little Tree La., Hilton, N.Y., where he died at home of pancreatic cancer in 1985. He was known as a child as Soapy and Bernie.
Notes for Hazel Jean Rush:
Retired from Eastman Kodak Co., Distillation Products Industries(DPI), 1967, after 15 years employment. Previously, had worked (1949-52) at Blanchard Moving, and Tot 'n' Teen store in Rochester. She had grown up on Electric Ave., Rochester, and graduated from John Marshall High School., as well as Rochester Business School. She passed away at Hospice on Genesee St. in Rochester after struggling with Alzheimer's disease for several years. Just previous to her death she had lived at Shore Winds Nursing Home in Rochester and before that at Hilton East Adult Home in Hilton, N.Y.. Her Cert. of Death mistakenly notes Boston as her place of birth. Usually called Jean (didn't like the name Hazel). ii. Winifred Mary O'Keefe, born May 10, 1909 in Rochester, New York; died March 1998 in New Hampshire; buried in Holy Sepulchre Cem., Rochester, New York; married (1) Kenneth L. McCauley 1962 in Rochester, N.Y.; married (2) Gerald Patrick McCarthy ("Jerry"), railroad worker, no further information.
Notes for Winifred Mary O'Keefe:
Called Win. She had worked as a clerk for the FBI in Washington during WW2. Had also later worked for Blanchard Moving Co., Rochester, after the war.
Notes for Kenneth L. McCauley:
Retired from General Motors in Rochester, N.Y. in 1960's. iii. Emmett Francis O'Keefe, born December 3, 1910 in Rochester, New York; died January 6, 1994 in Ormond Beach, Fla.; buried in Troy, New York; married Eleanore Burgess 1940 in Rochester, New York. Eleanore is buried in Troy, New York.
Notes for Emmett Francis O'Keefe:
Worked at Genesee Brewing Co. in Rocheter from the end of Prohibition until his retirement. Owned a home in Hilton, N.Y. on Lake Ontario, and also a trailer home in Florida. Upon retirement, spent winters in Fla., summers in Rochester. In early 1980's, sold the Hilton house and moved to Florida. iv. Thomas Victor O'Keefe, born November 11, 1918 in Rochester, New York; died May 14, 2000 in California; buried in San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, California; married Witolia Stephanie Jameson ("Billie") December 16, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York.
Notes for Thomas Victor O'Keefe:
Thomas O'Keefe was called Vic by his family. He was a retired Colonel, US Army. It was he who had done the major research for the O'Keefe/Egan family histories, following his retirement. He and his wife lived in Pebble Beach, California, prior to their deaths. ii. Bridget Keeffe, born December 3, 1864 in Coolnahau, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland; died Unknown in unk.
iii. John (Keeffe) O'keefe, born May 21, 1866 in Coolnahau, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland; died May 27, 1907, buried May 29, 1907 in Holy Sepulchre Cem., Rochester, New York.
Notes for John (Keeffe) O'keefe:
Register of Death indicates he was single at time of death, he was a steamfitter, and died at 49 Columbia Ave., Rochester of Act. Paren. Nephritis(kidney failure). iv. Johanna (Keeffe) O'Keefe, born December 13, 1869 in Coolnahau, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland; died June 21, 1914 and buried June 25, 1914, Holy Sepulchre Cem., in Rochester, New York.
Notes for Johanna (Keeffe) O'Keefe:
Known as Nellie, she died at St. Mary's Hospital Rochester, of Acute Dilation of heart and Chr. Myocarditis Nephritis. She was single. v. Martin J. (Keeffe) O'Keefe, born June 8, 1876 in Coolnahau, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland; died August 8, 1908 and buried Holy Sepulchre Cem., Rochester, New York.
Notes for Martin J. (Keeffe) O'Keefe:
Martin died at home, 189 Cottage St., Rochester, of hemiplegia(stroke). He was single, occupation was car conductor. vi. Patrick (Keeffe) O'Keefe, born March 28, 1874 in Coolnahau, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland; died July 13, 1939 in District Hospital, New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland, buried in Mullinakill Cemetery, County Kilkenny, Ireland; married Bridget Sheehan Unknown in Rochester, New York.
Notes for Patrick (Keeffe) O'Keefe:
Patrick emigrated to U.S. in about 1908 to Rochester, N.Y. He and his new wife returned to Coolnahau, farmed their whole lives, and both died and were buried in Mullinakill, County Kilkenny, Ireland. They had no children. vii. Michael (Keeffe) O'Keefe, born June 6, 1883 in Coolnahau, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland; died August 8, 1908 and buried August 11, 1908, Holy Sepulchre Cem., Rochester, New York.
viii. Thomas (Keeffe) O'Keefe, born March 1, 1872 in Coolnahau, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland; died May 17, 1905 and buried March 20, 1905, Holy Sepulchre Cem., Rochester, New York.
Notes for Thomas (Keeffe) O'Keefe:
Death register states that Thomas died at 89 Cottage St., Rochester, of Pulmonary Tuberculosis. He was single, occupation: Mason. ix. Mary Anne (Keeffe) O'Keefe, born September 22, 1879 in Coolnahau, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland; died June 29, 1916 and buried July 3, 1916, Holy Sepulchre Cem., Rochester, in Rochester, New York.
Notes for Mary Anne (Keeffe) O'Keefe:
Died at 94 Merriman St., Rochester, of Endocarditis Valv. Heart Disease, Both lungs in first state of pneumonia. She was single, occupation: domestic.
 2. Bridget Keeffe, born Abt. 1835 in Coolnahau, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland; died February 25, 1908 in Hoodsgrove, County Kilkenny, Ireland; married Patrick Bird, b. 1831 or 1829, Hoodsgrove, County Kilkenny, Ireland, d. 2 March 1920, Hoodsgrove, County Kilkenny, Ireland.
Notes for Bridget Keeffe: Online, at RootsWeb's Kilkenny Archives, July 20, 1999, from Bob Murphy, is a listing of selected baptisms at the Rosbercon parish. Baptized on April 16, 1834 was Bridget Keefe, daughter of Richard Keefe and Bridget Watt [sure this wasn't "Walsh"?], godparents were John Kneefe and Mary Gorey. This does not appear to be our Bridget Keeffe, although the date is pretty close. Notes for Patrick Bird:
Griffith's valuation shows a Patrick Bird leasing land with a house and offices from John Cooke, Esq., in Parish of Rosbercon, Hoodsgrove, Kilkenny
Bridget Keefe (O'Keeffe) and Patrick Bird had 11 children:
Thomas Bird, b. 15 Jan 1862, Hoodsgrove (Co. Kilkenny), Ireland, d. Tuberculosis. Sponsors J. Morrissey and Catherine Roche.
Mary Bird, b. 22 Sep 1863, Hoodsgrove (Co. Kilkenny), Ireland
Honora Bird, b. 15 May 1865, Hoodsgrove (Co. Kilkenny), Ireland. Sponsors Edmond Keefe and Bridget Keefe
Richard Aloys Bird, b. 4 Sep 1866, Hoodsgrove (Co. Kilkenny), Ireland, d. 15 February 1956 Chicago (Cook Co.), Illinois; married Mary Jo Power, b. 25 April 187_, (Co. Kilkenny) Ireland, d. 23 December 1933, Chicago (Cook Co.), Illinois. 8 children:
Richard Bird (died at 7 months), buried Rosbercon, Ireland
Edward Bird (died at 5 days), buried Rosbercon, Ireland
Alice Bird, had Parkinson's disease
John J. Bird married Hermine ____. 2 children:
John Bird, married Marilyn. 5 children:
John Bird
Bill Bird
Greg Bird
Brian Bird
Keith Bird
 Carol Bird, married Jack Herman. 1 daughter:
Kathy Bird, who married Martin Murphy. 1 daughter:
Hannah Murphy Patrick A. Bird, Catholic priest, pastor St. Mary's Church, Des Plaines, Illinois
Veronica Bird, married Steven Sexton. One child:
Steven Sexton, married Margaret ____. 4 children:
Kathy Sexton, married Howard
Anne Sexton, married Neil Doughty. 2 children:
Nina Doughty
Peter Doughty
 Julie Sexton, married ____
Michael Sexton, married ___
 James P. Bird, married Margaret Lanphear. 2 children:
Michael James ("Jim") Bird, married Rita ___. 3 children:
Susan Bird, married Bernard Enright
Katie Bird, married Michael Kerinboth
Michael James Bird
 Richard F. Bird, married Bernadette ___. One child:
Richard F. Bird
 Thomas Francis Bird, b. 23 May 1898, Chicago (Cook Co), Illinois, d. 8 January 1983, Brookfield (Cook Co.), Illinois; married Teresa Marie Guschke, b. 1903, Chicago (Cook Co.), Illinois, d.January 19, 2001 Oak Brook (DuPage Co.), Illinois. 4 children:
 Patricia Ann Bird, b. 1930, Chicago (Cook Co.), Illinos; married Louis Theophiel Duerinck, b. 1929, Chicago (Cook Co.), Illinois. 7 children:
Louis Michael Duerinck, b. 1954, married Suzanne Pelowski. 4 children:
Kimberly Duerinck, married Nathaniel Harris. 2 children:
1. Madilyn Suzanne Harris, b. November 2002
2. Alexander Harris James Duerinck
Patrick Duerinck
Robert Duerinck
 Kathleen Marie Duerinck, b. 1955, married John Lutgen. 4 children:
John Lutgen
Megan Lutgen
Sarah Lutgen
Timothy Lutgen
 Kevin Francis Duerinck, b. 1956, Hinsdale (DuPage Co.), Illinois; married Terri Ann Huston Schram, b. 1954, Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan; now living in New York. 3 stepchildren:
Jamie Schram, b. Sep 1973 in Niles, Berrien County, Michigan, m. Oct. 2004 Amy Seigler.
Jeffrey Schram, b. Nov. 1977 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.
Douglas Schram, b. Oct. 1979 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan; married Laura Konnis Sep 2003 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
 Mark Vincent Duerinck, b. 1957, married Jennifer Imfeld. 3 children:
Caitlin Duerinck
Courtney Duerinck
Michael Duerinck
 Lynn Patricia Duerinck, b. 1959, married Glen Dressel. 3 children:
Ryan Dressel
David Dressel
Jessica Dressel
 Brian Thomas Duerinck, b. 1961, married Dawn Knicely. 6 children:
Danielle Duerinck
Kelsey Duerinck
Stefanie Duerinck
Nicholas Duerinck
Melanie Duerinck
Matthew Louis Duerinck
 Paul Steven Duerinck, b. 1963
 Thomas F. Bird, b. 31 Oct 1931, Chicago (Cook Co.), Illinos; married Wanda Proetti. 6 children:
Louise Bird, b. 1956, married James Gutgsell. 2 children:
Matthew Gutgsell
Olivia Gutgsell
 Thomas J. Bird and Janet Wallow. 1 child:
Thomas Francis Bird, b. April 2001, Illinois
 Colleen Bird
Sylvia Bird, married Brian Hasty. 2 children:
Mallory Hasty
Christopher Hasty
 Diana Bird, married Gregory Steinl. 3 children:
Gabrielle Steinl
Shane Steinl
Joseph Gregory Steinl Kathleen Bird, married Carl Gerlach. 2 children:
Rachael Gerlach
Nicole Teresa Gerlach, b. July 2002
 Loretta Jean Bird, b. 25 Apr 1933, Chicago (Cook Co.), Illinos, d. __; married Robert Kral. 3 children:
Deborah Kral, married John Winkelman
John Kral, b. 1955, married Julie ____. 2 children:
Warren Todd Kral
Geoffrey Kral
 Stephen Kral, b. 1956, married (1)Josie ___, (2)Tracy Travis
1 child, Maggie Marie Kral, b. June 2002, Wisconsin Mary Therese Bird, b. 11 Aug 1937, Chicago (Cook Co.), Illinos, d. __ Jan 1989, Brookfield, Cook Co., Illinois; married (1) Daniel Amodeo, (2) Leroy LeGros
 Margaret, b. 12 Nov 1868, Hoodsgrove (Co. Kilkenny), Ireland; married Patrick Ryan. 3 children:
Bridget Ryan, married ___ Leahy. 4 children:
Sister Filomena Leahy
Elizabeth Leahy
?? Leahy
?? Leahy
 Andrew Ryan
Honora Ryan
 John Bird, b. 25 May 1870, Hoodsgrove (Co. Kilkenny), Ireland, d. Tuberculosis. Sponsors Mary and Pat Keefe.
Mary Anne Bird, b. 4 Nov 1871, Hoodsgrove (Co. Kilkenny), Ireland
Catherine Bird, b. 24 Aug 1873, Hoodsgrove (Co. Kilkenny), Ireland
Bridget Bird, b. 11 Sep 1874, Hoodsgrove (Co. Kilkenny), Ireland; married __ Barron (from the Rower, Carigeen) (no children). Sponsors Anne Butler of Hoodsgrove and Galentin? Brophy
Anne Bird, b. ???, Hoodsgrove (Co. Kilkenny), Ireland; married Patrick Cosgrove (no children)
Patrick Bird, b. 27 Aug 1876, Hoodsgrove (Co. Kilkenny), Ireland; married Annastatia Doherty. 5 children:
Richard Bird(died as infant)
Thomas Bird, married Mary Fitzgerald. 7 children (Hoodsgrove Bird family):
James Bird
Luke Bird, married Nancy ____
Mary Bird, married Patrick Smyth, children: Christine
Patrick Bird, married Mary, one son David Bird
Christine Bird, married John O'Hanain (he died 1984 in Greece)
Bridget ("Breda") Bird
Lucy Ann Bird
 Bridget ("Bride") Bird
Mary Bird, married Patrick Coady. One son:
Patrick Coady, married Breda Mullins, have 2 sons: Brendan Thomas Coady, and Nicholas Coady
 Margaret ("Peg") Bird, married Patrick Stapleton. 5 children (Stapleton family in Slieverue):
Teresa Stapleton, married Tiernan O'Rourke
Jacqueline Stapleton, married Harry Gough. 3 children:
Barry Gough
Ashling Gough
Clionha Gough Patrick Stapleton
Maura Stapleton, married Eamon Doherty. 3 children:
Niamh Doherty
Michael Doherty
Edmund Doherty Michael Stapleton, married Ruth, 2 children:
Shane Stapleton
Ross Stapleton

3. William Keeffe, born ____, died in Mullinakill, County Kilkenny, Ireland; married Anne Malone.
Notes for Anne Malone:
1850 Griffith's Valuation showed a John Malone (Anne's father??) leased land with a house and offices, from Chas. Putland in Coolnahau 4. Patrick Keeffe, born about 1830; died about 1907, buried in Mullinakill Cemetery, County Kilkenny, Ireland

O'KEEFFE RESEARCH NOTES -- Please do not rely on the following research notes. Plans A, B and C are set out as theories until proven true or wrong

Keeffe/O'Keeffe: More research needs to be done in the Cappagh and Coolnahau parish records. I am trying to tie in Bridget O'Keeffe, wife of Patrick Bird, to John O'Keeffe, descended from the Coolnahau O'Keeffe's (subsequently shown above that Bridget O'Keeffe's father was Martin O'Keeffe, and Martin's father was John O'Keeffe. I have drawn out the following scenario's, which assumes that James O'Keeffe of Plan A, William O'Keeffe of Plan B, and Ancestor O'Keeffe of Plan C, were either brothers or cousins, and which certainly would need to be checked in the records:

Coolnahau O'Keeffe relatives (mine) (Plan C): ___ O'Keeffe, married ___. Their children:

Patrick O'Keeffe
Neddy, who married Katherine "Kitty" Bird
Bridget, who married Patrick Bird
Bridget and Patrick descendants
Margaret, who married ___ Butler
Their children:
Ann Butler
James Butler
 Catherine O'Keeffe, who married ___ Roche
Their children:
Alice Roche
John Roche

Cappagh O'Keeffe's (Plan A--this information is correct for the Cappah O'Keeffe's, verified by Dorinda O'Keeffe, Ireland):
James O'Keeffe, married Mary Darmody. Their 5 children:

1. Laurence O'Keeffe, baptized 14 Jun 1840, who married Mary Kelly. Their 2 children:
1. Mary O'Keeffe, baptized 30 March 1880, d. ~1901-1908 (somewhere in there, in her 20's)
2. James O'Keeffe, b. 5 Dec 1878, married ___? Their 1 child:
Larry O'Keeffe, b. August 14, 1924, d. April 7, 1998, who married Annie Bowe. Their 4 children:
1. James O'Keeffe, married Breda Cody. Their children:
Lawrence O'Keeffe
Dorinda O'Keeffe
Jamie O'Keeffe
2. Margaret O'Keeffe, married Tim Guerin. Their children:
Tadhg Guerin
Ronan Guerin
3. Brian O'Keeffe, married Sharon. Their children:
Cian O'Keeffe
Caoimhe O'Keeffe
4. Catherine O'Keeffe, married Paudie O'Neill. Their children:
Hugh O'Neill
Deirdre O'Neill
Colm O'Neill
Aoife O'Neill
Niamh O'Neill 2. Thomas O'Keeffe, bapt. 22 Oct 1841
3. John O'Keeffe, bapt. 1 Feb 1846
4. Patt O'Keeffe, bapt. 9 May 1852
5. Alice O'Keeffe, bapt. 13 Aug 1843, married John O'Keeffe by dispensation (cousins), so Cappagh and Coolnahau O'Keeffe's were already related! As we will see below, it is my theory that John O'Keeffe's father was William O'Keeffe of the Coolnahau O'Keeffe's and the mother unknown at this time. Their children:
Bridget O'Keeffe, who married John Mackey of Mullinikill
John O'Keeffe
Ellen O'Keeffe, bapt. 13 May 1872
Thomas O'Keeffe, went to the USA (see U.S. federal census information below).
James O'Keeffe
William O'Keeffe, married Bridget Quinn (about 95 yrs old in 1985)
Alice O'Keeffe, went to USA
Mary O'Keeffe, went to USA

Coolnahau O'Keeffe (Plan B): This plan surmises that William O'Keeffe from Coolnahau was the father of the John O'Keeffe who married Alice O'Keeffe, a cousin, by dispensation.

1920 U.S. FEDERAL CENSUS INFORMATION

I searched for Thomas O'Keeffe (2 f's) and Thomas O'Keefe (1 f), assuming birth date in Ireland around 1870. There was a Thomas J. O'Keeffe in the 1920 U.S. Census, State of Massachusetts, Suffolk County, Boston Township, Boston, Enumeration District# 250. This Thomas was 58 years old, making his birth date approximately 1862. He immigated in 1882 as did his wife Nelly M. __, aged 45 years. He was a hotel desk clerk. Children were Frances C.(?), Mary P., Thomas E., Frank, Albert, and John, with ages 25, 17, 13, 12, 10 and 8, respectively. Lived on W. Sixth Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
There was a Thomas C. O'Keefe 1920 U.S. Census • Colorado • Denver • Denver • ED# 113, 50 years old, so born approximately 1870 in Ireland, immigrated 188_, and wife Louise F., age 32, born in Illinois.
Also a 1920 U.S. Census entry for • Connecticut • Hartford • East Hartford • ED# 27. This Thomas J. O'Keefe was a 49 year old shoe salesman, born in Ireland, wife Mary was 49 or 44 years of age, born in New York, working as a bench hand in a machinery factory.
Another Thomas O'Keefe, born, Ireland, age 51 in the 1920 U.S. Census • Massachusetts • Middlesex • Watertown • ED# 515. Wife Margaret M., born Ireland, age 46. He was a landscape gardener on a private estate.
There was a Thomas J. O'Keefe, born Ireland, age 51, and wife Emma K born New Hampshire, age 39, and his stepdaughter Alice Kearns, age 15 born Massachusetts. He was a Teamster, grocery stores--probably a truck driver.
Another Thomas O'Keefe, born Ireland, age 45, 1920 U.S. Census • Pennsylvania • Allegheny • Braddock • ED# 39. Wife was Margaret, age 37, son Thomas, age 12. He emigrated 1890, she 1894. The son was born in Pennsylvania. The head Thomas worked as a laborer in a steel works.
Another Thomas O'Keefe in 1920 U.S. Census • Pennsylvania • Allegheny • Saint Clair • ED# 781, born Ireland, age 52. Wife was Bridget, born Pennsylvania age 54, as were the 2 children, son James age 17, daughter Catherine age 21. Thomas was a roller in a steel mill, son James was a messenger in a railroad office, and Catherine was a public school teacher.

Alice O'Keeffe, servant, age 44 born Ireland, and sister Anastasia O'Keeffe, age 38 born Ireland, servant. 1920 U.S. Census • Illinois • Cook (Chicago) • Chicago • ED# 174.

Alice O'Keefe, servant (cook) to the Clifford Clark family, age 53 born Ireland. 1920 U.S. Census • New York • Warren • Glens Falls • ED# 163.

Mary O'Keefe, age 46, born Ireland, single, servant (cook) for private family--Smythe family, Mr. Smythe was a minister. 1920 U.S. Census • Connecticut • New Haven • New Haven • ED# 349.

Mary O'Keefe, age 45, single, born Ireland, 1 of 6 servants for Philip Dexter, Esq. Emigrated 1878, alien status, not naturalized. 1920 U.S. Census • Massachusetts • Suffolk • Boston • ED# 231.

Mary O'Keefe, age 51, born Ireland, emigrated 1883, single, servant (laundry) to James Whitin. 1920 U.S. Census • Massachusetts • Worcester • Uxbridge • ED# 168.

Mary O'Keefe, age 59, born Ireland, single, servant (housekeeper for C. Alice Busch), emigrated 1882, naturalized 1917. 1920 U.S. Census • New York • Kings • Brooklyn • ED# 4.

ARTICLES


Y-chromosome variation and Irish origins, E. Hill, M. Jobling, D. Bradley, 23 March 2000 Volume 404 Nature No. 6776

LINK(S)

O'Keefe Clan.org web site
Bird Clan
Bird Irish Cousins
Kilkenny computerized church records (Kilkenny Family Heritage Center). For O'Keefe and Coolnahau clans, there is also reference to "Kilkenny Graveyard Inscriptions--Knocktopher No. 1"
Kevin O'Keeffe's site
Eoghanacht Genealogies from The Book of Munster
O'Keeffe lineage to 1703 A.D. from Celtic chieftain Oilill Olum
Kevin O'Keeffe's site -- Keeffe Coat of Arms
Ireland's E-Mail Directory--E-Search
Ireland's Phone Directory--Golden Pages
Colossus International Search--Ireland
Flo Day's Ireland Genealogy Links

MESSAGE BOARDS

Rootsweb Keefe Message Board
GenForum Keefe Message Board

BOOKS

"Book of Munster", written by Father Eugene O'Keeffe circa 1703
"Families of County Cork, Ireland". One of the historic hardbound volumes from the 32 book set on Irish Families from the Irish Genealogical Foundation (IGF). Book of Irish Families, Great & Small, Volume 4 by Michael C. O'Laughlin. This is the story and history of families in Co. Cork. Some of the families given a full column of coverage include: O Keeffe O'Keefe. Peruse the book and all the Irish names in its index at amazon.com.

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