Catherine Kiely
Catherine was the daughter of John Kiely, a farmer, and Ellen Ryan (or possibly Regan - handwriting on marriage certificate is not clear) of Co. Limerick in Ireland.
It is interesting to note that an article by Chris O'Mahony (previously at http://limerick.local.ie/content/28132.shtml/genealogy/surname_origins but now removed) titled Surnames of County Limerick lists "Ryan" as most frequently occurring family name in County Limerick (by a large margin) and "Kiely" is the 43rd most common.
It is reported that Catherine was born in the townland of Ballydewan in Co. Limerick, but no townland of that name has been located in Limerick. A search of the IreAtlas Townland Database (www.seanruad.com) reveals some names of some similarity (e.g. "Ballyduane") but the location is not yet confirmed.
On her marriage certificate, Catherine is described as a "Lady" aged 24 years; this would indicate she was born in approximately 1850.
No other information is available until her marriage to Michael James Cleary in St Francis' church, Melbourne, Victoria, on 19 January 1875. Subsequently they resided in New Zealand. Information is included with information about Catherine's husband.
Michael James Cleary and Catherine Kiely were the parents of
- Honorah, born approximately 1876; married a farmer named Mulaney from the Gisborne area. A son, Luke, farmed the property until about 1995.
- Margaret, born approximately 1877; married a baker named Taylor and who lived in Devonport a suburb of Auckland.
- son named James, died in infancy.
- James Francis Cleary, born 9 September 1881. Further information provided separately.
- Thomas Cleary, born approximately 1884 and of whom nothing is known after he went to World War I.
This photograph, dated to approximately 1883, shows Catherine
with her son James Francis Cleary and daughter Margaret Cleary.
A photograph of Catherine Cleary (nee Kiely) in her later years.
Thanks to Brigid Baker, of Brisbane, Queensland, and her brother Mark Cleary,
(great grandchildren of Catherine Kiely) for providing pictures and information.
